If you’ve ever been to the Big Apple, you know there’s nothing quite like it. But there’s really nothing like racing through it! Whether you’re a first-time tourist or a native New Yorker, there’s a race that’s guaranteed to make you see the city in a whole new light.
So let’s swim, bike and run through the best races in New York City!
TBD 2017 | Brooklyn
Everyone loves a good Turkey Trot, and this one will take you from the streets to the beach to tour one of New York City’s oldest sites: Coney Island! Starting at the iconic Parachute Jump, you’ll race out-and-back along the flat boardwalk, passing rides that are nearly 100 years old. Once you cross the finish line, celebrate with a spin on the Wonder Wheel or a historic hot dog at Nathan’s Famous.
September 10, 2017 | Manhattan
Take a run on the glitzy side with this fast, one-mile race down Fifth Avenue! The famous course borders Central Park and is just a few blocks in any direction to notable museums, high-end shopping, and even Times Square. In addition to traditional sightseeing, the Fifth Avenue Mile will give you a glimpse into the world of elite athletes as runners travel from around the world to compete.
Aug 12, 2017 | Manhattan
These 5K and 10K races are the perfect way to tour Governors Island, the 172 acres of land in the middle of New York Harbor. With a lengthy military history, Governors Island is recognized as the birthplace of New York state and offers historic landmarks and unparalleled views of both the city and the Statue of Liberty. But pick your entourage carefully: only four spectators can join you on the runners-only ferry to the start.
TBD 2017 | Manhattan
This looped course through Central Park honors Ted Corbitt, the first president of New York Road Runners (NYRR) and the first African American to compete in the Olympic marathon. Held in December, the 15K course is chilly and hilly – but it’s for good views and a good cause! In addition to celebrating the legacy of Corbitt (who racked up 223 marathons and 200,000 miles), the Ted Corbitt 15K supports a food drive for hungry New Yorkers in the holiday season.
TBD 2017 | Manhattan
The Harlem 5K Run is another race that recognizes the impact of a running-New-York pioneer: Percy Sutton, who served as the Manhattan Borough President and led the expansion of the New York City Marathon into a five-borough event. As part of Harlem Week, the all-ages event celebrates the neighborhood’s vibrant culture with a challenging run around St. Nicholas Park past historic homes and churches.
May 7, 2017 | 5 Boroughs
If you’d rather tour the city on two wheels, the Five Boro Bike Tour is for you! Always held on the first Sunday in May, this race offers more than 30,000 cyclists the chance to ride through New York City on completely car-free streets. While there’s plenty to see on the 40-mile course, the Bike Tour makes sure you’ll never be bored with live music every few miles. Best of all, you’ll be supporting bike education programs as part of the largest charitable bike ride in the nation!
July 16, 2017 | Manhattan
This Olympic distance triathlon offers a New York City experience like no other. You’ll start with a 1500-meter swim through the salty Hudson River, followed by a 40K bike ride along the West Side Highway to the final leg: a 10K run ending in Central Park! From there, you can wrap up this one-of-a-kind race relaxing in the sunshine and enjoying a free massage at the NYC Triathlon Finish Festival.
TBD 2018 | Manhattan
Looking to tour New York City’s hot spots without running the full marathon? Then the NYC Half is a perfect pick! You’ll start the scenic course with a loop around Central Park and a run through Times Square. Then, it’s a race along the riverfront to the finish at Water and Wall Street, just a few blocks away from Battery Park!
May 20, 2017 | Brooklyn
It’s not hard to understand why the Brooklyn Half Marathon is the largest in the country! The race takes more than 27,000 runners through Brooklyn’s most iconic attractions. You’ll start near the historic Brooklyn Museum, pass the botanic gardens and Grand Army Plaza, before your loop around Prospect Park. Once you cross the finish on the Coney Island boardwalk, head to the Brooklyn Cyclones’ stadium for a post-race party with food, beer, and live entertainment.
Nov. 5, 2017 | 5 Boroughs
You had to know this one was coming. For a big city experience, you can’t get any bigger than the New York City Marathon! This World Major Marathon was established nearly 50 years ago and attracts more than 50,000 athletes from around the world each year. It definitely doesn’t disappoint: starting on Staten Island, runners experience all five boroughs (and millions of spectators) as they start in Staten Island, head to Brooklyn then Queens, Manhattan to the Bronx, and back to Manhattan for a triumphant finish in Central Park.
Have you had a big finish in the Big Apple? Build your profile on Athlinks.com to claim your results and add your next NYC run (or bike or swim!) to your race calendar!
