The Holiday Half Marathon!

The Holiday Half Marathon! is run in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, on December 20, 2026, starting at 8 a.m. The half marathon (13.1 miles) is the only distance on offer, covered as three loops along the flat Shore Road promenade with views of well-known landmarks along the way. The finish is at the American Veterans Memorial Pier, where finisher medals are handed out. The race is set up to close the running season rather than to sit in the middle of it.

A flat three-loop course is honest ground for a personal best: you learn the mile markers early and you can pace by lap instead of by feel. It also suits a first half, since the route keeps returning past the same points and never leaves the promenade. Aim for a twelve-week build with one long run a week and, in the final month, a couple of runs at goal pace so the third loop does not turn into a survival exercise.