BROOKLYN — The city has signed off on a new marathon that will take place in Brooklyn. 

For marathon runners like Caroline McNeill, there’s nothing like running a race on city streets.

“I like the street," said McNeill. "I like the intensity. I like dodging traffic. I like seeing the people."

McNeill has run the New York City Marathon four times. She plans to run it again in the fall.

She also ran the Brooklyn Marathon years ago when it was contained mostly to Prospect Park. She’s now looking forward to running the new version of the race on the streets of her home borough.

“I can’t wait to see what the new course is,” said McNeill.

New York City Runs, the organizers of the Brooklyn Marathon, will stage its road race from the north to the south end of Brooklyn. The 26.2 mile course will start near McCarren Park and take runners along the East River waterfront to Coney Island, before ending in Prospect Park. Founder Steve Lastoe said the goal is to make this marathon one of the largest to benefit the city.

“I really want it to focus on New York City causes, New York City nonprofits, New York City businesses," said Lastoe. "Obviously we want the international reach, the international growth, but we really want something that feels, you know Brooklyn and New York-specific."

The announcement gives the city two major marathons. The New York City Marathon is the largest in the world with about 50,000 finishers. Organizers of that marathon said there is room for both, and that it’s a good thing to give city runners more opportunities to race.

Brooklyn Marathon organizers hope to get at least 15,000 applicants for the first race in April next year .

Caroline McNeill just might be the first to enter.

“I can’t wait," she said. "I’m gonna tear it up. Tell all the 50-year-olds to watch out.” 

Registration opens on July 1.

For more information, visit NYCRuns.com.