2019 NYC Half Marathon

What's the difference?

(Meaning, what have they changed?)

Oh, I didn't see the word "Half", I thought you were talking about the Marathon. Sorry, carry on.

I agree with the OP.

I’m not interested in the failed 2018 experiment either.

The website says "Check back closer to race day for information on the course, as well as a timeline for the wave starts."

So perhaps they're reconsidering?

If they change it back to the old course, I'll likely register. But not if they do the 2018 course.

Exactly my feeling too.

Registration opened today. The website now reads:

"Check back closer to race day for information on the course, which will begin near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, before crossing the Manhattan Bridge, running through Times Square, and finishing in Central Park. Stay tuned for a timeline of wave starts, as well, to be released closer to race day."

So...looks like they're sticking with the Brooklyn start for another year.

darkwave wrote:

Registration opened today. The website now reads:

"Check back closer to race day for information on the course, which will begin near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, before crossing the Manhattan Bridge, running through Times Square, and finishing in Central Park. Stay tuned for a timeline of wave starts, as well, to be released closer to race day."

So...looks like they're sticking with the Brooklyn start for another year.

I'm sure NYRR doesn't care about my money, but I will not be registering again this year. Besides just the $130 for this race, I'm a lot less likely to sign up for other borough races since I have no interest in qualifying for next year via 4/6 either.

Loved the old course, no interest in the new one.

I too am out. I inquired with the NYRRC about a week or so ago and received a somewhat rude reply but the dickhead mentioned it would be the same course as last year.

No thanks.

What was the matter with last year's course?

johnny99 wrote:

What was the matter with last year's course?

Different profile, first a big bridge, Manhattan, to cross in the beginning and the last 5 miles running through the ups and downs of the CP. Considered slower than the 'old' route which ran through the park first, 6 miles of hills, and after it was all downhill, or super flat and fast on the West Side highway;) The new course is less of a PR course but visually more interesting, I think. The old one was boring... Anyway, I don't think the NYRR is returning to the old course anytime soon...

They want to increase the participation in this event, maybe even beat the numbers they get in their BK Half, and that is simply impossible with the finish downtown. The area becomes too congested with that many runners... We'll see this year, if the participation goes up or down from 2017...

Also, last year, the organization left much lacking, which is surprising given how amazing the NYRR races are: Too few porta potties in corrals and not enough space and people for bag check... It was freaking cold too... I felt my frozen and numb toes all the way to mile 3!!!

I'm still undecided, have a guaranteed entry, and it is almost exactly 4 weeks before Boston. Great way to race hard and judge my fitness but !!!130!!! freaking dollars for a half is too rich... That's just me;)

The 2018 course was a total disaster . Count me out if they run the same route .

KawauchiFTW wrote:

Also, last year, the organization left much lacking, which is surprising given how amazing the NYRR races are: Too few porta potties in corrals and not enough space and people for bag check... It was freaking cold too... I felt my frozen and numb toes all the way to mile 3!!!

I'm still undecided, have a guaranteed entry, and it is almost exactly 4 weeks before Boston. Great way to race hard and judge my fitness but !!!130!!! freaking dollars for a half is too rich... That's just me;)

I definitely want to run a March half-marathon, and for me it's a decision between Shamrock, Philly Love Run, or this. But both Shamrock and Philly Love Run are better (faster) courses than this one. I'm really not interested in paying the entry for this AND paying NYC prices for a hotel room to run a slow course. Especially one where I now have to get myself out to Brooklyn in the morning. Much easier to stay in the Financial District and take the subway to a Central Park start, as one could with the old course.

The appeal of this race in the past was that it had some of the allure and feel of the NYC Marathon, without the logistical hassle. That's no longer the case.

Of course, I sense the NYRR don't care that much about whether runners like us enter. They'll sell out any way.

darkwave wrote:

Registration opened today. The website now reads:

"Check back closer to race day for information on the course, which will begin near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, before crossing the Manhattan Bridge, running through Times Square, and finishing in Central Park. Stay tuned for a timeline of wave starts, as well, to be released closer to race day."

So...looks like they're sticking with the Brooklyn start for another year.

I’m not going back. That course last year was the worst . Everything designed to make it unpleasant and slow.

I too am out. Last year sucked.

I don’t mind the fee if it’s the prior course.

But like others have said, the NYRRC don’t care what runners think. It’s onky about making more money.