If you’re running Staten Island Half, it’s perfect to gauge your time for the TCS NYC Marathon. Ideally, you should be running your best half marathon that day. Once you’re done, head over to Slate’s Marathon Predictor to find out what your NYC Marathon time will be. In the past, I’ve doubled my half marathon time plus add 10 minutes to predict what I might run. So, if you run 1:40, you could potentially run 3:30.

I’ve run Staten Island Half twice since I joined NYRR years ago (in 2013 and 2014, respectively). Each time I’ve been annoyed by a tiny hill but I didn’t do so badly. Although the commute is long (Ferry ride over in addition to the subway if you’re MTAing it) the course itself is enjoyable and fast. I hit my target both times to run sub 8s.

Here’s what you should do to prepare for this race according to NYRR:

1) Get your bib—and get it early at the NYRR RUNCENTER.
2) Know your wave and figure out your ferry time.
3) Be aware that all runners will be security screened before entering the start area.

Ideally, if you have a time goal, you will want to follow a pace group so look out for these wonderful pacers at the start. The groups range from 6:51 (1:30 finish) to 11:26 (2:30 finish) per mile.

The course:

To prevent yourself from going over the 13.1 distance, be sure to run the tangents. Try to envision where the elevation will change based on the chart and remember it if you’re running the course for the first time.

Elevation chart of Staten Island Half Marathon
Elevation chart of Staten Island Half Marathon

Miles 1–3: Start at Bay Street and Slosson Terrace head down Bay Street. Turn right onto School Road before mile 3.

Miles 3–6: Merge onto Lily Pond Avenue (passing Fort Wadsworth). Right onto Father Capodanno Boulevard then along the South Beach storefront.

Miles 6–9: Turn around at Midland Avenue back up Father Capodanno Boulevard, left onto Lily Pond Avenue right onto Battery Road and Fort Wadsworth.

Miles 9–13.1: Head back up along Bay Street. Make a right onto Edgewater Street and a right onto Front Street. Head back to Bay Street and finish near Slosson Terrace.

For more information about the race and the map, head to the NYRR website.

Even if I’ve hated some of the elevations in the past, I hope to revisit this race one day. It’s one of the NYRR Five-Borough Series and scheduled 4 weeks before the TCS New York City Marathon. It’s essentially a preview of where you’ll be traveling if you race the marathon. It has gorgeous views of Manhattan and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Be sure to check out the delicious pizza on Staten Island before you leave!

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