Thousands of runners hit the pavement Sunday for the New York City Half Marathon, tackling a new route that took them over the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time.

The 13.1-mile race, organized by the New York Road Runners, traditionally takes participants from Prospect Park in Brooklyn to Central Park in Manhattan. But this year, due to construction in Lower Manhattan, the course was rerouted from the Manhattan Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge—marking the first time any New York Road Runners event has crossed the span.

“I’ve never walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, let alone ran over it,” said CC Nagle, a Brooklyn resident who ran this year’s race.

For Edith Done, a member of the Dyckman Run Club for about five years, the race felt like a fresh experience.

“This is my third time, but the first time going over the Brooklyn Bridge, so it feels like my first time,” Done said.

Another major highlight of the course was Times Square, which was shut down to traffic for the event.

“It was actually running over the Brooklyn Bridge, running through Times Square. It’s crazy that they shut Times Square down,” said Markael Brace, who traveled from Albany to run the race. “I thought it was all a hoax, like it was unbelievable.”

Tania Kinsella, a longtime member of the NYPD Running Club and a marathoner, said the Half Marathon is a unique way to experience the city.

“The best part of this race is Times Square. You get to tour your city,” Kinsella said.

The event drew a mix of elite athletes, seasoned marathoners and first-time half marathoners, with many using it as preparation for the New York City Marathon in November.

“I think I beat my time so I’m happy about that, even though this was a lot more hills than I think I was ready for, but we did it,” Nagle said.

Brace described running as his personal escape and a way to embrace the city’s energy.

“Running has been my therapy, it’s like one of my safe spaces, and I just love New York City. I love the energy of the city,” he said.

For Kinsella, the race marks the beginning of training season for the full marathon later this year.

“This starts our training season for the year, for the big day in November, and it’s amazing to see New Yorkers come out to see other New Yorkers, and people from all around the world come for this race,” she said.

After crossing the finish line, many runners were eager to celebrate.

“Drink some Guinness for St. Patrick’s Day, do the whole thing,” Nagle said.

“Hopefully a burger,” Kinsella added.

“I’m gonna have some steak. My boyfriend finished [the Half Marathon] also. We’re gonna go enjoy a good meal because we definitely deserve it,” Done said.

The top female finisher was Sharon Lokedi of Kenya, who set an event record with a time of 1 hour and 7 minutes. The men’s race was won by Abel Kipchumba, also from Kenya, with an event record time of 59 minutes and 9 seconds.