New York’s streets are about to belong to the runners again. The United Airlines NYC Half returns this Sunday, March 15, and that means street closures across parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan as more than 30,000 runners take over the city.
The race kicks off around 7am and follows a 13.1-mile route from Prospect Park in Brooklyn to Central Park in Manhattan. Along the way, runners will cross the Brooklyn Bridge and even pass through Times Square, one of the race’s most iconic stretches. The finish line is expected to close at 1:30 pm, about 4.5 hours after the last runner starts.
If you’re planning to drive Sunday morning, consider this your friendly warning: navigating the city will be tricky for much of the day. Your best bet is to take the subway, walk or bike if you’re heading anywhere near the course. Or lean into the chaos and join the crowds cheering runners along the route.
The nonprofit New York Road Runners, which organizes the race, has released a detailed list of street closures. Many begin overnight and remain in place until late morning or early afternoon. Here are the streets expected to close:
Brooklyn
12am–11:30am
Eastern Parkway (south service road) from Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue
Eastern Parkway (north service road) from Underhill Avenue to Bedford Avenue
Eastern Parkway from Grand Army Plaza to Bedford Avenue
12am–12:30pm
Union Street from Classon Avenue to Franklin Avenue
President Street from Classon Avenue to Franklin Avenue
Carroll Street from Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue
Crown Street from Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue
Montgomery Street from Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue
Sullivan Place from Washington Avenue to Franklin Avenue
12am–2pm
Classon Avenue from Eastern Parkway to President Street
Washington Avenue from Eastern Parkway to Carroll Street
12am–3pm
Classon Avenue from Eastern Parkway to President Street
President Street from Classon Avenue to Franklin Avenue
4am–10:30am
Empire Boulevard from Flatbush Avenue to Bedford Avenue
5:30am–11:30am
Flatbush Avenue (south side) from Eastern Parkway to Ocean Avenue/Empire Boulevard
Flatbush Avenue (north side) from Grand Army Plaza to Atlantic Avenue
Park Avenue (westbound) from Navy Street to Tillary Street
Tillary Street from Adams Street / Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard to Gold Street
Tillary Street (eastbound) from Cadman Plaza to Adams Street
Adams Street / Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard (northbound) from Fulton Street to Brooklyn Bridge
Jay Street (northbound) from Willoughby Street to Tillary Street
Jay Street (southbound) from Sands Street to Tillary Street
Manhattan Bridge / Flatbush Avenue Extension (southbound) from Flatbush Avenue to Tillary Street
Pearl Street (southbound) from Prospect Street to Sands Street
Jay Street and Sands Street (westbound) to Brooklyn Bridge
Westbound BQE at Tillary Street (exit 29) – entrance/exit ramps
Eastbound BQE at Tillary Street (exit 29B) – entrance/exit ramps
Eastbound BQE at Cadman Plaza (both sides) (exit 28A)
Eastbound BQE at Brooklyn Bridge (exit 28B)
5:30am–11:45am
Flatbush Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to Tillary Street
6am–10:30am
Washington Avenue from Carroll Street to Empire Boulevard
Empire Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Flatbush Avenue
Flatbush Avenue from Empire Boulevard to Grand Army Plaza
FDR Drive (Manhattan)
5:40am–1:30pm
Brooklyn Bridge at exit for FDR Drive (northbound)
Northbound FDR Drive at Brooklyn Bridge / Manhattan Civic Center (exit 2)
Northbound FDR Drive at entrance from Brooklyn Bridge
Pearl Street (street level along southbound Pearl Street), exit ramp from Brooklyn Bridge
Pearl Street entrance to northbound FDR Drive
Northbound FDR Drive at Montgomery Street
Northbound FDR Drive at Houston Street entrance and exit ramps
Northbound FDR Drive at East 20th Street / 23rd Street (exit 7)
Northbound FDR Drive entrance ramp just north of 23rd Street
Northbound FDR Drive exit to East 34th Street (exit 8)
Northbound FDR Drive service road, vicinity of East 28th Street
Northbound FDR Drive entrance ramp north of East 28th Street
Northbound FDR Drive at 42nd Street
Manhattan
3am–1pm
West 43rd Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
West 44th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
West 45th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
West 46th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
4:30am–1pm
7th Avenue from 42nd Street to 56th Street
6am–2:15pm
Central Park West between 59th Street and 72nd Street
West 61st Street between Broadway and Central Park West
West 62nd Street between Broadway and Central Park West
West 63rd Street between Broadway and Central Park West
West 64th Street between Broadway and Central Park West
7am–12:45pm
42nd Street from 1st Avenue to 7th Avenue
7am–1pm
7th Avenue from 56th Street to Central Park South
7:15am–1:15pm
Central Park South between Columbus Circle and Grand Army Plaza