2023 Brooklyn Half: Celebrities & Notables Running

The Brooklyn Half Marathon will take place this Saturday, May 20th. In true spring in New York fashion, the weather calls for rain and 86 percent humidity. So this weekend’s runners can expect to be damp in more ways than one as they cross that famous finish line on Coney Island Boardwalk.

All weather jokes aside, this race is shaping up to be as great as ever. And if you’re running or spectating this weekend, you may just spot some famous faces among the crowd. Here are the notables running the borough this weekend.

Ellie Kemper, actress

Ellie Kemper of “The Office” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” had a bad time at the New York City Marathon. “I texted my sister during the [NYC marathon], ‘This is the worst day of my life’... I must complete this because I don’t want to not finish. I walked a lot,” she told Rachel Ray. Here’s hoping she walks away with better memories of this weekend’s BK race.

Nev Schulman, TV personality

Nev Schulman of “MTV Catfish” will be in Brooklyn this weekend, and those that spot him in will be able to confirm (once and for all) that he hasn’t been catfishing the general public for all this time. Schulman completed last year's Brooklyn Half in 1:28:45. “I had some pasta, I had some fish,” Schulman recalled of the night before the race. “I had a buffalo chicken lollipop. Which was delicious, but one was enough.” A good lesson.

Tiki Barber, former NFL star

Tiki Barber, former running back for the New York Giants, has completed over 15 full and half marathons. “My body is more welcoming to half; the full marathon wears me out,” he told Boardroom. Sounds like this weekend’s distance will hit the sweet spot. “

Casey Neistat, YouTube sensation

Filmmaker and YouTube personality Casey Neistat ran the 2022 New York City Marathon. “Got my ass handed to me today in the New York City Marathon. Nothing like 26.2 miles to put you in your place. Still the greatest damn day of the year,” he wrote in a caption post-race. On Saturday, he’s shooting to cover half that distance across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Cailin Bracken, NCAA Division I lacrosse player & mental health advocate

Former lacrosse champion Cailin Bracken will also be lining up for the race. Bracken has been outspoken about the pressure and demands of being a professional athlete throughout her career, and she’s sure to have some inspiring words to share post-race.

Zaida Espinoza, Iraq War veteran & mental health advocate

Zaida Espinoza, an Army National Guard veteran, started running to help herself adjust to civilian life. She now says that the sport gives her time to work through the lingering trauma from the Iraq War. “When I am running, and I feel myself struggling, I remind myself why I am doing this and that my girls are watching me. I have made peace with myself and the experiences that have made me the person that I am today,” she told New York Road Runners. “I no longer shy away from my emotions.”