![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777242645_187_a5d53539ee8535f423751488ebba0e87.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
BROOKLYN, N.Y (PIX11) \u2014 Tens of thousands of runners took over the streets of Brooklyn<\/a> on Sunday for the 2026 NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon, as the popular annual race continued its rapid growth.<\/p>\n The event began bright and early, with participants stretching, warming up and lacing up their shoes before making their way through one of the borough\u2019s biggest running events of the year.<\/p>\n More Local News <\/a><\/p>\n Back for another year after a record-breaking turnout in 2025, the half marathon once again drew runners from across New York City and beyond to Brooklyn\u2019s iconic streets.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s awesome to be running a half marathon,\u201d said Chelsea Reed of Recess Run Club. \u201cAnd we\u2019ve seen so many people already wearing their medals, and it\u2019s such a great day to have it. It\u2019s really great run weather, as we say as runners.\u201d<\/p>\n The race, launched in 2018, has steadily grown in popularity. Organizers said more than 24,000 runners crossed the finish line in 2025, setting a new participation record. This year, they expected an even bigger turnout, with more than 25,000 finishers in 2026.<\/p>\n For many runners, the day marked a personal milestone.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve run four marathons, but this is my first half, so technically a PR,\u201d said runner Will Carletti.<\/p>\n Anna Allison, who crossed the finish line alongside him, said she was pleased with the result despite not quite hitting their target pace. \u201cWe both did about one minute slower than our goals, but considering the conditions, we are really happy with it,\u201d Allison said.<\/p>\n