New York City is bracing for the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon this Sunday, March 15, an event expected to draw over 30,000 runners to the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The 13.1-mile course will wind through iconic landmarks, from Prospect Park to Times Square, culminating in a finish in Central Park. However, the race will necessitate significant road closures and traffic adjustments throughout the day.
The race is a major undertaking, impacting transportation for both participants and residents. Runners will start in Brooklyn, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge and continuing up FDR Drive before navigating through the heart of Manhattan and finishing in Central Park. The first runners are scheduled to start at 7:00 a.m., with a staggered wave start system to accommodate the large field. Spectators are encouraged to utilize the NYRR app for tracking runners, live leaderboards, and course maps.
Road Closure Details: Brooklyn
Extensive road closures will be in effect in Brooklyn starting as early as midnight. According to road closure information, Eastern Parkway will be affected from Washington Avenue to Bedford Avenue, with varying closure times. Specific closures include the Eastern Parkway south service road (Washington Ave to Franklin Ave) from 12:00 a.m. To 11:30 a.m., and the north service road (Underhill Ave to Bedford Ave) during the same timeframe. Additional closures include Union Street, President Street, Carroll Street, Crown Street, Montgomery Street, and Sullivan Place, all between Classon and Franklin Avenues, from 12:00 a.m. To 12:30 p.m. Washington Avenue will be closed from Eastern Parkway to Carroll Street from 12:00 a.m. To 2:00 p.m., and Classon Avenue from Eastern Parkway to President Street from 12:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m.
Later in the morning, Empire Boulevard (Flatbush Ave to Bedford Ave) will be closed from 4:00 a.m. To 10:30 a.m. More extensive closures along Flatbush Avenue (south side, Eastern Pkwy to Ocean Ave/Empire Blvd and north side, Grand Army Plaza to Atlantic Ave), Park Avenue (westbound, Navy St to Tillary St), Tillary Street, Adams Street/Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard, Jay Street, and the Manhattan Bridge extension will begin at 5:30 a.m. And extend through 11:45 a.m. Finally, Washington Avenue (Carroll St to Empire Blvd), Empire Boulevard (Washington Ave to Flatbush Ave), and Flatbush Avenue (Empire Blvd to Grand Army Plaza) will be closed from 6:00 a.m. To 10:30 a.m.
Manhattan Road Closures and FDR Drive Impact
Manhattan will also experience significant road closures on Sunday. Seventh Avenue, between 42nd and 56th Streets, will be closed from 4:30 a.m. To 1:00 p.m. Streets between 7th and 6th Avenues (43rd, 44th, 45th, and 46th Streets) will be closed from 3:00 a.m. To 1:00 p.m. Central Park West (59th to 72nd Streets) and West 61st-64th Streets (between Broadway and Central Park West) will be closed from 6:00 a.m. To 2:15 p.m. Further closures include 42nd Street (1st Ave to 7th Ave) from 7:00 a.m. To 12:45 p.m., 7th Avenue (56th St to Central Park South) from 7:00 a.m. To 1:00 p.m., and Central Park South (Columbus Circle to Grand Army Plaza) from 7:15 a.m. To 1:15 p.m.
The FDR Drive will also be impacted, with closures in effect from 5:40 a.m. To 1:30 p.m., including the Brooklyn Bridge Exit to Northbound FDR Drive, Exit 2 (Brooklyn Bridge/Manhattan Civic Center), Montgomery Street, Houston Street, East 20th/23rd Street (Exit 7), East 34th Street (Exit 8), 42nd Street, and Pearl Street ramps.
Parking Restrictions
No parking regulations will be in effect in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. In Brooklyn, restrictions began Thursday, March 12, at 6:00 a.m. On Eastern Parkway (south side, Grand Army Plaza to Washington Ave) and the south service road (Washington Ave to Bedford Ave). Additional restrictions went into effect Friday, March 13, at 6:00 a.m. On Eastern Parkway (north service road, Underhill Ave to Bedford Ave), Washington Avenue (Eastern Pkwy to Empire Blvd), and surrounding streets. Manhattan parking restrictions begin Saturday, March 14, at 9:00 a.m. On Central Park West (west side, 59th St to 65th St) and Sunday, March 15, on 42nd Street, 7th Avenue, and Central Park South.
As the city prepares for the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, residents and visitors are advised to plan accordingly and anticipate significant traffic disruptions. The New York Road Runners (NYRR) app remains a valuable resource for tracking the race and accessing real-time updates. The event is expected to draw large crowds and create a vibrant atmosphere, but careful planning is essential for those navigating the city on Sunday.
Share this information with friends and family to help them plan their routes around the city this Sunday. What are your plans for navigating the city during the race? Let us know in the comments below.
