The New York City Half Marathon hits the streets on April 27th, and runners across the country are in their peak training weeks. If you've been putting in the miles, this is your moment. If you haven't — there's still time, and here's what you need to know.

The Course

The 13.1-mile route starts in Brooklyn, winds through theborough, crosses the Manhattan Bridge, runs through Times Square (yes, really), and finishes in Central Park. Running through midtown at mile 10 with crowds cheering is an experience unlike anything else in distance running. The energy is unreal.

Who's Running This Year

With the Boston Marathon just wrapped, a lot of elite runners who ran there are using the NYC Half as a tune-up for spring racing goals. Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot, who's been quietly having an incredible season, is registered and expected to compete for the women's win. On the men's side, American rising star CJ Kimyon is coming off a personal best at Boston and looking to back it up.

Training Tips for the Final Weeks

If you're running the race, these next two weeks matter. Ease off the mileage — this is the taper period. You want to arrive fresh, not fatigued. A common mistake: runners panic that they're losing fitness and cram in extra miles. You won't gain fitness in two weeks, but you can definitely ruin your race by showing up burned out.

Focus on sleep, hydration, and a few tune-up runs at race pace. If you've never run through Times Square before, trust us — the noise and crowds will carry you. The second half of the race is challenging (that final hill into Central Park is no joke), so practice pacing accordingly.

For XC Kids Transitioning to Road

If you're a cross-country runner thinking about trying a half, the NYC Half is a great entry point. The course is flat enough that you don't need mountain legs — you need endurance. Your XC base is a massive advantage. Start conservatively, let your fitness carry you, and enjoy one of the most iconic races in American road running.