If you’ve ever stood at the start line on Washington Avenue, teeth chattering in the May morning air while a giant speaker blasts "Empire State of Mind," you know the vibe. But honestly? Most runners look at the Brooklyn half marathon map once, see a straight line toward the ocean, and think they’ve got it figured out.
They don't.
There are actually two major races that people confuse: the NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half (the one that ends on the boardwalk) and the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon (the one that weaves through North Brooklyn and ends in Prospect Park). Getting them mixed up is a recipe for showing up at the wrong starting corral in your short-shorts.
The Tale of Two Courses
Let's clear the air. When most people search for the Brooklyn half marathon map, they’re looking for the legendary "Borough of Kings" trek from the Brooklyn Museum down to Coney Island. That’s the NYRR race, scheduled for May 16, 2026.
It is a point-to-point journey.
On the flip side, the NYCRUNS version on April 26, 2026, is a completely different animal. It starts in North Brooklyn (think Williamsburg/Greenpoint vibes), cruises under the "BMW" bridges (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg), and finishes inside Prospect Park.
If you want the boardwalk finish, you need the May map. If you want the waterfront skyline views, you want the April map.
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Breaking Down the NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half Map
The 2026 route remains the iconic classic. You start on Washington Avenue, right by the Brooklyn Museum and the Botanic Garden. It’s a wide, grand start, but it’s deceptive.
The Prospect Park "Washer"
The first half of the map is basically a giant loop of Prospect Park. You head south on Washington, hang a right on Empire Boulevard, and then another right onto Flatbush Avenue. This is where the "fun" starts.
You’ll climb toward Grand Army Plaza. It’s not a mountain, but at mile 2, it’ll wake up your calves. Then, you dive into the park. This section is leafy, beautiful, and—let’s be real—kinda soul-crushing if you aren't prepared for the rolling hills. You’ll hit the "Battle Pass" hill around mile 5. It’s the highest point on the map, sitting at roughly 153 feet above sea level.
The Ocean Parkway Slog
Once you exit the park at mile 7, the map changes entirely. It’s basically one long, straight shot down Ocean Parkway.
- Distance: Over 5 miles of straight asphalt.
- Vibe: Lots of cheering at the intersections, but quiet stretches in between.
- Elevation: It’s a net downhill. You’re dropping from about 60 feet down to sea level.
People say this part is boring. Honestly? It’s only boring if you aren't hitting your splits. This is where you make up time. You can see the horizon, but you can’t see the finish until you’re practically on top of it.
The Grand Finale
The map ends with a sharp right onto Surf Avenue, a quick left at West 10th Street, and then—boom—the boardwalk. Running on those wooden planks with the Atlantic Ocean on your left is something you’ll never forget. The finish line is located between West 10th and West 15th Streets.
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Understanding the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Map
Now, if you’re running the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half in April, throw that Coney Island map out the window. This course is way more technical.
You start near McCarren Park. The route takes you through the industrial-chic streets of Greenpoint before hitting the waterfront. You’ll spend miles 2 through 5 running under the Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges.
The hardest part of this map? The "Flatbush Climb." Around mile 7, you have to run up Flatbush Avenue toward Grand Army Plaza. This is a one-mile uphill stretch with about 131 feet of gain. For comparison, the famous Heartbreak Hill in Boston is shorter and has less total gain.
After that, you do an out-and-back on Eastern Parkway, which is net downhill out and net uphill back. You finish with a partial loop inside Prospect Park. It’s a runner's course—lots of turns, varying terrain, and plenty of "Old Brooklyn" scenery.
Landmarks to Watch For (Beyond the Water Stations)
Maps are great, but landmarks keep you sane. On the NYRR course, keep an eye out for the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza. It looks like an open book.
On the Ocean Parkway stretch, look for the New Balance Cheer Zone near Mile 10 (Avenue W). If you're flagging, the noise there will kickstart your heart.
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For the NYCRUNS route, the Brooklyn Navy Yard is a highlight. You’ll see the massive shipping crates and historical buildings that most people never get to see up close.
Strategy for the 2026 Elevation Profile
Don't let the "flat" reputation of the Brooklyn Half fool you. If you look at the elevation chart, the first 6 miles are a zigzag of climbs and descents.
- Conserve on Washington Ave: It’s tempting to sprint the wide-open start. Don't.
- Lean into the Park Hills: Short strides on the way up Battle Pass.
- The Ocean Parkway Transition: When you leave the park, your legs might feel like jelly. Take half a mile to find your "highway rhythm."
- Boardwalk Wind: Check the weather. If there’s a headwind coming off the ocean at mile 12, the map's final turn will feel like running into a wall.
Logistics: Getting to the Start
The Brooklyn half marathon map doesn't just show the run; it shows the struggle of 4:00 AM transit.
For the NYRR race, the 2 and 3 trains are your best friends, but they usually skip the Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum stop on race morning to manage crowds. You'll likely need to get off at Franklin Avenue or Grand Army Plaza and walk.
For the NYCRUNS start at McCarren Park, the G train or the L train (Bedford Ave) are the go-to moves. Just give yourself an extra 30 minutes. NYC subways on race day are basically rolling locker rooms filled with the smell of Tiger Balm and nervous energy.
Practical Next Steps for Your Race
Now that you’ve got the layout of the land, it’s time to stop staring at the screen and start prepping.
- Download the Official PDF: NYRR and NYCRUNS both release high-res maps about a month before the race. Save it to your phone so you aren't relying on spotty 5G in a sea of 25,000 people.
- Scout the "Hairpin": On the NYRR map, the turn from Ocean Parkway onto Surf Avenue is tight. If you’re chasing a PR, know exactly where that turn happens so you don't lose momentum.
- Plan the After-Party: The NYRR finish is at Maimonides Park. The NYCRUNS finish is a festival inside Prospect Park. Figure out where your "support crew" (friends with beer) will be standing beforehand. Use specific street corners, not "by the tree."
Study the turns, respect the Flatbush incline, and remember that once you hit Ocean Parkway, it’s just you and the pavement all the way to the sea.
Key Dates to Remember
- NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half: April 26, 2026
- NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half: May 16, 2026
Both races offer a unique slice of the borough, whether you're looking for the boardwalk glory or the bridge-heavy waterfront tour. Pick your map, lace up, and get to work.