The Brooklyn half-marathon is almost here — and it’s going to be a hot one.
Organizers are warning runners of heightened temperatures this weekend, and are putting multiple precautions in place along the trail.
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Here’s what to know on the 2026 RBC Brooklyn Half and how to protect yourself.
The temperature on Saturday, May 16 has a forecasted high of 78 degrees, with a RealFeel of 85 degrees, according to AccuWeather.
The half, which goes for 13.1 miles, spans from Prospect Park to the Coney Island boardwalk.
Organizers at New York Road Runners say that they anticipate the run will start with a yellow event flag, meaning “runners should be prepared for worsening conditions as the day progresses and slow down their pace accordingly.”
They tell runners to familiarize themselves with the color coded flags along the course:
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Green, or low: Be alert, enjoy
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Yellow, or moderate: Slow down, and prepare for worsening conditions
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Red, or potentially dangerous: Slow down, observe course changes, follow official instruction, and consider stopping
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Black, or extreme and dangerous: Participation stopped, and follow official instruction
Water will be at the start and finish, and 10 fluid stations will be along the course. Alongside water, 14 misting stations will be installed, with iced towels given at the post-finish walk-off.
There will also be 10 medical stations with ice available.
Organizers also gave runners a few tips on dealing with the heat on Saturday:
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Know heat-related symptoms, like dizziness, faintness, clammy skin and disorientation
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Listen to your body and its limits
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Drink enough, but not too much
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Eat good foods before the race
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Consume salt
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Prepare for the sun
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Check your medications
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Wear synthetic fabrics
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Brooklyn Half Marathon organizers are bracing for extreme heat
