Great Gobble 5K Prospect Park Photo Guide: Where to Shoot

The Great Gobble 5K in Prospect Park is a one-loop race with a finish worth planning around

The NYCRUNS Great Gobble 5K Benefiting the YMCA of Greater New York is listed for Saturday, November 21, 2026 in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Athlete arrival is listed at 7:00 a.m. and the race start at 9:00 a.m. Always confirm times, course details and rules on the organizer's page before race day, because plans can change.

What to know about the race

Distance: 3.1 miles, described by the organizer as a loop around Prospect Park.
Course: the 5K is listed as just under one full loop of the park with a final sprint up Center Drive to the finish. NYCRUNS courses are listed as USATF certified.
Cause: the race benefits the YMCA of Greater New York, which also has a Great Gobblers charity running team. The YMCA describes Buffalo as the birthplace of the original Thanksgiving turkey trot.
Divisions: NYCRUNS says it welcomes handcycle and wheelchair athletes at its Prospect Park 5K races.
Strollers and dogs: one race listing says neither is allowed, so confirm with the organizer before you plan a family shoot around them.

Where to look for photos

Because the course is a single loop that ends on Center Drive, the best frames tend to be near the start and finish. These are suggestions from general race photography practice, not an official map, so scout the park on a weekday if you can.

The final stretch on Center Drive. Runners are heading toward you, tired and happy, with the finish line behind them. Stand to the side of the course, well clear of runners and volunteers, and use a lens that lets you stay back.
The first few hundred yards. At 9:00 a.m. in late November the sun is still fairly low. Check which way the road faces so you know whether runners will be lit from the front or backlit. Our guide to shooting in low sun and backlight covers it in detail.
Park scenery. Autumn leaves and tree-lined paths make a nice background for a wide shot that shows a place, not just a person.
The festival area. Teams, costumes and families gathering before and after the race are where the group photos happen.

Getting there and packing light

For NYCRUNS races in Prospect Park, the organizer lists the B/Q at Prospect Park and the F/G at 15th St-Prospect Park as the closest subway stations to the festival area. Check the Great Gobble race page for current transit and drop-off notes. Bring one camera, one zoom lens and a spare battery, since cold mornings drain batteries faster. Our cold weather guide has more on gear and batteries.

Check the rules

Before you shoot for sale, ask the race organizer about photographer credentials, whether there is an official race photographer, and what the rules are on selling photos. Rules differ from race to race, and Prospect Park is also governed by city park rules. Do not step onto the course, and keep a respectful distance from children. If anyone asks you to remove a photo of them or their child, do it.

Selling or finding photos on Surf Snaps

Photographers can upload by session on Surf Snaps with the sport (running), the place, the date and a price per photo. It is free to join and upload, with no subscription and no upload limit. Surf Snaps takes up to 10% of a completed sale, and you can absorb it, pass it on to the customer or split it. See the FAQ for details. Runners and families can browse the Explore page by sport, location and date without an account. Surf Snaps does not search by bib number, so filter by place and date instead. Our guide to finding your turkey trot photos walks through it.

Great Gobble 5K Photo Guide FAQ

When is the NYCRUNS Great Gobble 5K?

It is listed for Saturday, November 21, 2026, with athlete arrival at 7:00 a.m. and the start at 9:00 a.m. Confirm on the NYCRUNS race page.

Where does the race take place?

In Prospect Park, Brooklyn, on a 3.1-mile course the organizer describes as just under one loop with a final sprint up Center Drive.

Can I bring a stroller or dog?

One race listing says strollers and dogs are not allowed. Check the official NYCRUNS rules before race day.

Can I sell photos I take at the race?

Ask the organizer first about credentials, official photographers and selling rules. Rules vary by event.

Are Great Gobble photos already on Surf Snaps?

Photos appear only when photographers upload them. After the race, check Explore filtered by running, Brooklyn and the date.