The 2022 United Airlines NYC Half, with 25,000 runners, on Sunday, March 20, will be the first New York Road Runners race back at full scale since the pandemic began.
One of the organization’s signature races, which takes runners on a 13.1-mile journey from Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to Manhattan’s Central Park, will be held for the first time in three years after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021.
The organising team adds that this year’s race will feature: the strongest professional athlete field in event history; a virtual race; multiple activations from partners; celebrity runners; and youth running through the heart of New York City.
‘The race takes runners past historic landmarks and diverse neighbourhoods and showcases sweeping views of the city along the way before ending near the iconic TCS New York City Marathon finish line.’
“New York City will be running again at full capacity on March 20 at the 2022 United Airlines NYC Half,” said Ted Metellus, NYRR VP of Events and Race Director. “We are excited to have a full race field again as our runners take over the streets of Brooklyn and the heart of Manhattan.
“This marks the only time other than New Year’s Eve that Times Square welcomes thousands of people, as it will host our professional athletes, Rising New York Road Runners and participants from all walks of life and various communities who will have the opportunity to run through it under the bright lights.”
Professional athletes
This year will boast 23 Olympians, eight Paralympians, and six open division athletes who hold half marathon national records in their respective countries.
The open division will include US Olympic medallists Galen Rupp and Molly Seidel, along with American half-marathon record holder Sara Hall, while TCS New York City Marathon champions and US Paralympic medallists Tatyana McFadden and Daniel Romanchuk will aim to defend their titles in the wheelchair division.
Celebrity runners
This year’s field will include US celebrities such as Good Morning America’s Amy Robach and TJ Holmes, former NFL player Tiki Barber, reality TV star Nev Schulman, sportscaster Nicole Briscoe, and former Miss Universe Andrea Meza.
Times Square Kids Run
In the middle of Manhattan, the field will run alongside 1,000 young runners from schools across New York City taking part in the 1,500m out-and-back course.
This event, free and open to participants 8 to 18 years old, is part of Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR’s free year-round youth program.
Partner activations
United Airlines will present the Tri-Hero Challenge, honouring New York City frontline workers. NYPD, FDNY and HSS running teams will compete against each other for the fastest race time. United Airlines will donate to each team’s charity of choice based on their challenge results.
Runners can also vote for the team they think will win. United Airlines donations will total US$100,000.
The race will see the return of the United Airlines NYC Half app, powered by TCS. Spectators can track runners and create cheer cards. Virtual racers can also track their run in the app while enjoying an audio experience.
Flow, ‘a boxed water brand that values sustainability’, is serving as NYRR’s hydration partner. Runners will be able to find their product at the race experience area and in the race recovery bag.
United Airlines NYC Half Experience presented by New Balance
From March 17-19, runners will pick up their bibs and race souvenirs and be able to shop for race merchandise at a new location this year at Center415, located at 415 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan (between 37th and 38th streets).
Each runner may bring one guest, and both runners and their guests must be able to provide full proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Powered by Strava
Runners unable to make it to New York can still participate in the event virtually, running the 13.1 mile distance anywhere around the world at their convenience between March 12 and March 20.
Sustainable medal
NYRR is continuing its commitment to sustainability efforts by offering sustainable finisher medals for the first time at this year’s race. The medals are produced domestically from recycled metal, reducing the impact on the environment.
The 2022 United Airlines NYC Half will be covered locally in the tri-state area by ABC New York, Channel 7. Event coverage will include live news cut-ins between 06:00 to 10:00 ET, from Central Park and Times Square.
Additionally, the four professional fields will be covered by a live stream, distributed internationally from NYRR’s digital channels, abc7ny.com and the ESPN App, beginning at 07:00 ET.
