Runners hit the streets for record-busting Brooklyn Half marathon

‘It’s a big party from start to finish’

May 22, 2023 Mary Frost

YouTube sensation Casey Neistat shows his enthusiasm for the Brooklyn Half on Saturday. Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners

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What a race! The RBC Brooklyn Half on Saturday was the largest half marathon in the United States this year, with nearly 26,000 runners crossing the finish line in Coney Island.

Top finishers in the 13.1-mile event included Yenew Alamirew Getahun, who broke the men’s event record with a winning time of 1:03:07. Maggie Montoya won the women’s race in 1:11:38. In a new category this year, Galo Vasquez won the non-binary division, setting an event-record time of 1:12:07.

The Brooklyn Half, which was established in 1981, is one of the country’s top half marathons, attracting ranked runners, celebrities and casual runners alike. Notable stars who participated in the general field this year included TV personality “Catfish” host Nev Schulman, former NFL star Tiki Barber, and YouTube sensation Casey Neistat, along with TV news personalities Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes.

Yenew Alamirew Getahun (center) broke the men’s event record with a winning time of 1:03:07 in Saturday’s Brooklyn Half. Juan Luis Barrios Nieves (right) placed second in the men’s division; while Lawrence Kipkoech (left) came in third. Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners

The Brooklyn Half is also hands down the funnest race in the country.

“It’s a big party from start to finish,” a New York Road Runner spokesperson told the Brooklyn Eagle. This year the race featured ten entertainment spots along the course, where DJs and performers like Brooklyn instrumentalist Street Mule, adult cheerleaders Gotham Cheer and Brazilian samba dancers Sambo Novo pumped up the runners.

The party started three days before the actual race at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2 where runners gathered for live music, photo op booths, food, merchandise, a giant route map, videos, strategy sessions, and a preview of the race by Road Runner Sr. VP of Events/Race Director Ted Metellus — who also DJ’d.

Enthusiasm ran high at the Brooklyn Half marathon this year, with perfect weather, entertainment along the way, and three days of parties leading up to the race. Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners

What a way to see scenic Brooklyn!

The Brooklyn Half route took runners on a 13.1-mile journey through iconic Brooklyn, beginning at the Brooklyn Museum, passing Grand Army Plaza, and running through Prospect Park and along Ocean Parkway to the finish line on the Coney Island boardwalk.

Families joined in on race-day activities, as kids and teens took part in the free Boardwalk Kids Run as part of the Rising New York Road Runners youth program. Young participants raced 1,500 meters on a new “out-and-back” course this year that started and finished on Brighton Avenue and Ocean Parkway.

The annual event is a part of New York Road Runners’ Five-Borough Series. For the full list of runners and their times, click here.