The RBC Brooklyn Half has claimed the crown as the largest half marathon in the United States with more than 30,000 finishers, according to event organizer New York Road Runners.
NYRR reported that 30,341 participants crossed the finish line as part of the third of its six Five-Borough Series races so far this year when larger scale events take place in each of the city’s boroughs aside from the New York City Marathon.
Abraham Longosiwa took the victory in the men’s field in 1:04:32 in his half marathon debut, while Fatima Alanis surged to a commanding win in the women’s race in 1:13:11.
The race continues to be a high demand event and starts near the start Brooklyn Museum, enters Prospect Park and features a long straightaway of more than five miles on Ocean Parkway before ending on the Coney Island Boardwalk near the area’s famed amusement park and beach — while more than 20 percent of the finishers were Brooklyn residents.
Saturday’s total surpassed NYRR’s own NYC Half in March that set the then-record with 30,229 finishers in a course that started in Brooklyn, cruised through Times Square and ended in Central Park. Hellen Obiri dominated in a 1:06:33 course record win in the women’s race while Adriaan Wildschutt kicked late to top the men’s field in 59:30.
