More Than 5,000 New Yorkers Enter Lottery for Pastry-Powered Half Marathon
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
The starting gun has not fired yet, but New Yorkers are already sprinting to their keyboards. Since registration opened yesterday, 5,136 people have entered the lottery for the first-ever NYC BAKERY RUN, a half marathon where runners of all levels will swap medals for croissants.
The event, organized by the food guide TIPSTER, takes place Sunday, September 21, 2025. Just 100 participants will be drawn by lottery to lace up and snack their way through eight of the city’s most talked-about bakeries: Radio Bakery, Librae Bakery, La Cabra, L’Appartement 4F, Elbow Bread, Gem Home, Raf’s, and La Bicyclette. The prize? Buttery croissants, fruit-filled danishes, and cardamom buns without the wait or the bill.
“New York City is falling in love with bakeries, and a new generation of bakers is redefining the city's baking culture,” said Simon Evers, founder of TIPSTER. “The NYC BAKERY RUN celebrates their craft and pairs it with running, another quintessential daily ritual for many New Yorkers, and the interest is overwhelming.”
The concept is not entirely new. Earlier this year, TIPSTER debuted the idea in Denmark with the FASTELAVN BUN RUN, which drew more than 8,000 sign-ups for just 100 spots and made headlines from Vietnam to Australia. Now, the pastry-fueled model lands in New York, right in the middle of what some are calling a bakery renaissance.
“Our bakery is founded on Scandinavian traditions, and bringing that craft to New York has been an incredible journey,” said Esben Piper, founder of La Cabra. “The NYC BAKERY RUN is a way to share that heritage with a wider community.”
Other bakers echoed the excitement. “For us, baking is about sharing our craft with as many people as possible,” said Kelly Mencin, founder of Radio Bakery. “A great pastry isn't just about taste; it's about the experience it creates. The NYC BAKERY RUN is a beautiful way to bring that joy onto the streets of New York, celebrating craft, community, and the city we love.”
Gautier Coiffard, co-owner of L’Appartement 4F, perhaps summed it up best: “This isn't your typical race. No medals, just laminated dough. We're proud to be one of the bakeries fueling NYC's most buttery half marathon.”
The NYC BAKERY RUN is free to enter. Registration is open until September 10 at 11:59 PM ET at tipster.io/nyc/run. Lottery winners will be notified on September 12.
So while some New Yorkers may be logging miles in preparation, others might be strategizing how best to balance pastry boxes on the run. Either way, on September 21, the city will find out what happens when marathon training meets laminated butter.
