Thousands of runners set to compete in 2025 United Airlines New York City Half
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The countdown is on to the 2025 United Airlines New York City Half.
Tens of thousands of runners are expected to take to the streets once again on Sunday, March 16 for the 13.1 mile race through Brooklyn and Manhattan.
ABC 7 New York is a proud sponsor of the event, and will provide coverage the day of the competition, including features, interviews and professional race look-ins starting on Eyewitness News at 6 a.m. WABC-TV will livestream the race starting at 7 a.m. on abc7NY.com.
ALSO READ | Mother who started training while pregnant set to run NYC Half
Organized by the New York Road Runners, the United Airlines NYC Half is the world's premier half marathon. Runners will start near the Brooklyn Museum, passing historic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods and sweeping views of the city en route to the finish line in Central Park. Participants even get to race through Times Square, a location that's closed to traffic only twice a year.
"As the nonprofit that runs New York City, our focus every day is on building healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running," said New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer.
ALSO READ | Woman with rheumatoid arthritis hopes to inspire her kids, family while running NYC Half
Due to ongoing construction on South Street in Manhattan, runners in this year's United Airlines NYC Half will now cross the Brooklyn Bridge instead of the Manhattan Bridge, marking the first time a NYRR race has ever done so.
All four reigning champions from the 2024 men's and women's open and wheelchair divisions are returning and look to defend their titles.
ALSO WATCH | Legally blind runner prepares to race NYC Half
For nearly two decades, the United Airlines NYC Half has been one of 60 annual adult and youth races organized by the NYRR. The annual event features a field of Olympians, Paralympians, national record holders and runners of all ages.
You can learn more about the United Airlines NYC Half on the New York Road Runners website.
ALSO WATCH | 2024 United Airlines NYC Half (Replay):
The earlier release from the NYRR about the 2025 NYC Half is below:
United Airlines Extends Its Partnership
For the last decade, United Airlines has served as both the exclusive title partner and exclusive airline partner of the United Airlines NYC Half, activating on race day as well as at the pre-race festivities. The nonprofit and airline have collaborated since 1994, making United Airlines one of NYRR's most enduring partners, with the partnership now extended through 2028. United will host more than 100 MileagePlus members who received the opportunity to run as a VIP through the company's MileagePlus Exclusives platform. United Airlines flight attendants will hold the finish tape, greet runners, and hand out finisher medals on race day.
Introducing an Iconic New Course
Since 2018, the United Airlines NYC Half has taken runners over the Manhattan Bridge, but due to ongoing construction, the course will now cross the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in NYRR race history. With the new course, once runners reach the junction of Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street in Brooklyn, they will turn left onto Tillary, then right onto Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, taking the exit ramp off the bridge to join the FDR Drive in Manhattan.
Download the New Year-round NYRR App
In time for the United Airlines NYC Half, New York Road Runners is beta launching a new year-round app to enhance the race-day experience. For the first time, participants, spectators, and supporters will use one app for all New York Road Runners events, including the United Airlines NYC Half, the TCS New York City Marathon, and every event on the NYRR calendar. The new NYRR App Developed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) keeps users conveniently connected to every race, runner, and milestone. Current features include live runner tracking and leaderboards, race-day information and alerts, course maps, and live coverage of races with professional athlete fields, with additional features launching soon. The NYRR App is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Meet Notable and Inspiring Runners
This year's United Airlines NYC Half will feature several notable and inspiring runners, including:
Danny Garcia: Top Chef season 21 champion; Brooklyn native
Vinny Guadagnino: MTV's Jersey Shore star; running his first United Airlines NYC Half
Mildred Baker: 79-year-old member of NYRR Striders running her first-ever half marathon a year after completing her first race
EJ Baker: Brooklyn resident hoping to bring visibility to the nonbinary community
David Allen: After years of struggling with his health and weight, David is running his first United Airlines NYC Half in honor of his late wife and sister
Shaunta-Maé Alexander: Running her first half marathon with NYRR Team for Kids after being paralyzed twice and having to relearn how to walk
Alexis Ruhlen: A New Jersey native who survived a near-fatal domestic abuse attack and is now running on behalf of NO MORE charity
Maya Sudhakaran: Running for her family, herself, and her community after finding solace and healing through NYRR Group Training; her young son is participating in the Times Square Kids Run
Beatriz Fritschler:Dyckman Run Club member originally from the Dominican Republic running in honor of the seven-year anniversary of a brain aneurysm rupture
Gabriel Bautista: Started running in 2024 with Bronx Nomads run club and runs to change the narrative around men and mental health
Virginia Azzato: Long Island resident who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2019 and suffered complete paralysis from the neck down, requiring extensive therapy
Professional Athletes to Cheer
The event will feature a star-studded professional athlete field that includes athletes from 14 countries, 30 Olympians and Paralympians, and several national record holders. The 2024 defending champions in the men's and women's open and wheelchair divisions-Abel Kipchumba of Kenya, Karoline Bjerkeli Grvdal of Norway, Geert Schipper of the Netherlands, and Susannah Scaroni of the U.S.-will return and headline the races. Other top names in the men's open division include American half marathon record holder Conner Mantz, and Olympic medalist Moh Ahmed and two-time U.S. Olympian Woody Kincaid, both of whom are making their half marathon debuts. On the women's side, in the open division, 2022 TCS New York City Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi and the three members of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Women's Marathon team-Fiona O'Keeffe, Emily Sisson, and Dakotah Popehn-will face off. The wheelchair division will feature familiar faces who have fared well in New York, including former United Airlines NYC Half and TCS New York City Marathon champions Manuela Schär and Tatyana McFadden, and defending TCS New York City Marathon champion Daniel Romanchuk.
NYRR Team for Climate Expands
As part of New York Road Runners' commitment to ensuring future generations have access to clean air, green spaces, and a healthy environment to run in, the nonprofit launched NYRR Team for Climate in 2024, a new entry method for NYRR's three marquee races-the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, and RBC Brooklyn Half-in which runners raise funds to help offset NYRR's carbon emissions. During the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, the inaugural group of 250 NYRR Team for Climate runners raised nearly $800,000 and offset the entire carbon footprint of the race. For the first time, a group of 100 runners will be raising money for NYRR Team for Climate during the United Airlines NYC Half to deliver a more environmentally friendly racing experience for all runners. Funds raised by NYRR Team for Climate will be used for both carbon insetting, with investments in projects that reduce the total emissions generated by NYRR's events and operations, and carbon offsetting by partnering with global climate solutions leader Anew Climate to purchase verified carbon credits for improved forest management projects.
To minimize the environmental impact of the event, during the United Airlines NYC Half, all finisher medals will be made with 100 percent recycled steel produced domestically and ribbons made from PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) recycled material; the two pace cars will be fully electric Volvo EX90s and the four support cars will be Volvo plug-in hybrid XC90 Recharge vehicles; Green Team volunteers will sort waste at five stations; discarded runner clothing from the start area will be collected and donated to All of Us Clothing, with 100 pounds of clothing donated from last year's race; leftover food and recovery bags will be donated to City Harvest; and Gatorade and water cups will be composted.
Ahead of race day, New York Road Runners will host a two-mile United Airlines NYC Half Plogging Event, encouraging runners to pick up trash while running, Saturday, March 15, from the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub. The event will feature special guest Tina Muir, an environmental advocate and former elite marathoner.
Kids Take Over Times Square for the Times Square Kids Run
In addition to the adult race, 1,500 kids will participate in free dashes and races as part of the Times Square Kids Run, one of more than 20 free Rising New York Road Runners youth events the nonprofit hosts during the year, including the Kids Kickoff leading into the TCS New York City Marathon. The youth event will take place in the middle of Times Square, with kids running alongside the professional athletes and adult participants for a fun and rewarding experience that encourages them to be physically active and builds their confidence to cross any finish line. Participants will include members of Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR's free running-based youth program that serves 200,000 students nationwide, with 100,000 students in New York City.
The Commissioner's Cup Returns
For the third year, New York Road Runners will host the Commissioner's Cup during the United Airlines NYC Half, featuring teams from eight New York City government agencies and the Mayor's Office competing to highlight their decades-long partnership with NYRR. Participating will be the back-to-back reigning champions from the New York Police Department, along with the New York Fire Department, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC Parks, NYC Department of Transportation, NYC Department of Sanitation, NYC Environmental Protection, Metropolitan Transit Authority, and NYC Mayor's Office. The Commissioners of each agency will serve as honorary captains, and the top three finishers from each city agency will determine the scoring.
Visit the New Zen Zone and Sensory Space
First introduced during the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, the United Airlines NYC Half will offer a new Zen Zone at the start for meditation and mindfulness to help runners mentally prepare for the race ahead. The Zen Zone offers live sessions and self-guided audio recordings.
The start area will also offer a new Sensory Space for participants, including those with sensory sensitivities, providing a low-stimulation environment to relax, recharge, and refocus amid the race-day excitement, and offering a moment of tranquility before taking on 13.1 miles.
New Perks with NYRR Beyond the Finish Line
After a successful launch at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, NYRR Beyond the Finish Line will return offering United Airlines NYC Half athletes and their friends and families unique opportunities to engage with New York City's top cultural institutions. The program will elevate the race experience for runners, offering free and discounted admissions, behind-the-scenes access, private tours, and meet-and-greet opportunities at participating nonprofits, historical sites, performing arts centers, and quintessential New York City attractions. NYRR Beyond the Finish Line will feature opportunities with Disney on Broadway Signature Events at THE LION KING, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, New York City Football Club, the New York Islanders, Wollman Rink in Central Park, the Jackie Robinson Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Visit the United Airlines NYC Half Experience Presented by New Balance
From March 13 to 15, runners will be greeted by United Airlines flight attendants as they pick up their bibs and race souvenirs at the United Airlines NYC Half Experience Presented by New Balance. Located in Center415 at 415 Fifth Ave., the Experience is open to the public and will feature course strategy sessions from NYRR coaches to help you run your best race, race-day tips and tricks with Hospital for Special Surgery, official race merchandise for purchase from New Balance, and last-minute runner essentials available from Fleet Feet.
How to Watch
The 2025 United Airlines NYC Half will be covered locally in the Tri-State area by ABC New York, Channel 7, with live news cut-ins from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The four professional fields will be covered by a livestream, distributed domestically by ESPN+ and abc7ny.com, internationally from NYRR's digital channels,and by ESPN International (Latin America), SuperSport (Sub-Saharan Africa), and RTVE (Spain) beginning at 7:00 a.m. ET. Reporting live from the start, finish, and Times Square will be WABC sports anchors Ryan Field and Sam Ryan, and meteorologist Brittany Bell. Joining the WABC team will be U.S. Olympian Carrie Tollefson and Peloton Instructor Becs Gentry.
Participate in the Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Powered by Strava
Runners unable to run the United Airlines NYC Half can still participate in the event virtually, running the 13.1-mile distance anywhere around the world, anytime between March 8 to 16. Registration for the Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Love of Running tier is still available and free. Participants who complete the Guaranteed Entry tier will earn entry to the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half, and those who are registered for the Finisher Medal tier will be shipped a finisher medal after completing the race.
Street closures, no parking zones for 2025 United Airlines New York City Half
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
