My First Time At the NYRR Brooklyn Half - But Definitely Not My Last

You could pick up your bib on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday before the race. I went Friday after I got into the city.

Getting to the expo is a little inconvenient. It's on the Pier, and the closest subway stop is a good 15 minute walk. But once you get there, it's awesome.

The logistics inside were super smooth. Despite heavy crowds, I walked in and had my bib and shirt within minutes. I browsed the merchandise for sale, and I saw some of the pacers, and I listened to part of the course strategy.

Outside, there was live music on the stage and it was a fun time. I grabbed a drink and some food from one of the vendors, and I hung out for a good two hours. Listening to the music and watching the runners come and go was so much fun. I'm usually in and out at an expo, but I really enjoyed just hanging out at this one.

The race is massive, and that means security. However, it wasn't hard to get in.

There are plenty of hotels near the Barclay's Center, which is about a mile jog from the start. Super convenient for runners. If you stay further north, the subway is a quick and effective way to get towards the start.

I was in Wave 1, so I got to the entrance shortly after 6am for a 7am start. I got in line at security with maybe a dozen people in front of me, and we moved quickly.

I didn't check a bag, but they did give out clear bags at the expo if you wanted to check some gear. The pre-race emails were very clear you had to use this specific bag - and a woman in line in front of me had to dip out because she had put stuff in a different clear bag. I also heard afterwards that it took people a long time to claim their gear after the finish. But this is avoidable - just don't check any gear. I can't imagine how difficult it is to manage the logistics of getting that stuff to the finish quickly and efficiently.

Once inside the secure area, there was a table with cups of water and a ton of porta potties. The corrals were well marked, and there was a path where people were jogging to warm up. There were extra porta potties inside the corrals, and I used one as soon as got to my corral (A)

The only problem I noticed throughout the whole morning was with people trying to use the bathrooms after 6:20-6:30. Earlier than that, there were short or no lines. But after that, the corrals started to fill up and the lines were confusing and slow moving. If you get there early, you'll have no problem getting in and using the bathroom. But don't show up at 6:45 and hope to make a quick pit stop.

There were people talking over the speakers the entire time, too. It sounded like you were watching the pregame show before a football game. It helped create a fun vibe, and it prevented me from feeling bored and anxious during the 45 minute wait.

The course starts with a loop through Prospect Park and it finishes with a long straightaway down Ocean Parkway.

The downside of the Prospect Park loop is that it's hilly, although the hills aren't as bad as they seem on paper. If you don't hit them too hard, you'll be fine in the second half. The nice thing about Prospect Park is the shade.

The crowds are pretty thick, and there's a ton of crowd support. Early on, the course will be crowded. So expect to be hemmed in for a mile or so. But it will open up eventually.

The second half of the course is a long straight away down Ocean Parkway. Some people loath this, because it's monotonous. I liked it, because it's slightly downhill. There were sparser crowds here, but still pockets of support and activity. It never felt dead or quiet.

The ending is awesome. There's a couple turns, and it's a clear mental break from the Parkway. Before you know it, you're on the boardwalk, and the crowds are thick. And then you're done.

The aid stations were awesome, with tons of cups pre-filled and ready to go.

As soon as you finish, you're patiently (but deliberately) shepherded through the finisher's chute. There's water, a bag with Gatorade, and eventually a medal. Volunteers are cheerful and supportive, and medical staff are waiting for anyone who needs assistance.

The post-race area was really cool. The baseball stadium had vendors selling food and drinks, and there were other vendors down on the field. There was a great party atmosphere, and people were just hanging out once they found their families. The letters marking family reunification areas were clear, and it was easy to find people.

Leaving the race, all you had to do was follow the sea of people to the subway stop. The trains were packed, but it didn't take long to get on one and head north. If you tried to drive in, it was probably a nightmare, but the logistics of getting out were fine as long as you took the subway.