The RBC Brooklyn Half was held on May 16. (Photo: Corey Sipkin for NYRR)
By Nicholas Gordon | news@queensledger.com
On a pristine spring morning, more than 30,000 athletes ran through the sunny streets of Brooklyn for the annual RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, organized by the nonprofit New York Road Runners (NYRR). The race, held on Saturday, May 16, started in Prospect Park and ended on the festive, packed Coney Island boardwalk.
Billed by NYRR as the borough’s premier half marathon since 1981, this year’s race was the largest half marathon in NYRR history, and the biggest in the country.
The event has become a favorite fixture on the busy race calendar for many passionate NYRR members.
New Yorker Natasha Bucks, an NYRR member since 2022, said she relished running the RBC Brooklyn Half for her third time.
“It was unforgettable from start to finish,” Bucks said. “The energy on the course was electric — joyful, inspiring, and unlike anything else. I had a smile on my face the entire race, and before I even crossed the finish line, I already knew I’d be back again next year.”
New York City resident and NYRR member Natasha Bucks with her RBC Brooklyn Half finisher’s medal. (Photo: Natasha Bucks)
Bucks, who said she values NYRR’s “uniquely inclusive and motivating spirit,” races a variety of distances throughout the year, including the New York City Marathon.
Brooklyn resident Clifford Esao, 65, who has been running the RBC Brooklyn Half since 2009, said he loves the local flavor of the race, which passes right by his home.
“I love this race because it’s in my home borough and it kicks off the beginning of training season,” Esao said. “They close the roads for you to run through and the Coney Island finish is exciting.”
With 30 marathons under his belt, including races in Berlin, Japan, Niagara Falls, and his native China, Esao now shares his love for running as an NYRR volunteer leader for the program’s open runs, which bring together runners in various locations around the city.
“I like helping people discover the joy of running,” said Esao, who also handles bookkeeping, scheduling, and equipment set up for the open runs. “The sport lifts you up.”
For many runners, the joy of the sport is hard-won through constant training and gritty perseverance. Physical setbacks along the way are not uncommon, Esao noted, describing several injuries he’s overcome in his racing career.
Brooklynite Clifford Esao running the Brooklyn Half. (Photo: Clifford Esao)
Dr. Matt Friedman, NYRR’s medical director who oversees 15 races a year, described the incredible dedication and resilience he sees from runners who have overcome major surgeries and more.
“People have a real drive to be out there and we encourage that drive, but it’s important to be smart in your approach,” Friedman said. “You should race as you train, and not exceed your training.”
Friedman also advised staying hydrated to avoid cramping, moderating pace, and checking in with your body every mile or two, especially as the hotter months set in.
Indeed, this year’s record-setting RBC Brooklyn Half came on one of the warmest days of the year. Thousands of runners of all ages and backgrounds pushed through the heat, chasing that fabled runner’s high, and something grounding too.
“Running is one of the most honest things you can do,” Esao said. “You put one foot in front of the other. You do your best to go from one place to another.”
(Photo: NYRR)
