The United Airlines NYC Half will take runners from around the city and the globe on a 13.1-mile tour of NYC. Led by a talent-packed roster of American and international elites, runners will stop traffic in the Big Apple this March! An expected 22,500 runners will take to the streets …
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The United Airlines NYC Half will take runners from around the city and the globe on a 13.1-mile tour of NYC. Led by a talent-packed roster of American and international elites, runners will stop traffic in the Big Apple this March! An expected 22,500 runners will take to the streets of New York City, which will feature a completely redesigned course taking runners on a 13.1-mile tour of iconic city landmarks from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
The race will start along Prospect Park in Brooklyn, head over the Manhattan Bridge, and finish in Central Park. Along the way, runners will pass by many of New York City’s most popular sights, including Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, the United Nations, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and Central Park.
Enter the drawing or claim your guaranteed entry for the 2019 United Airlines NYC Half by November 14. The drawing for general entry will take place on November 28.
The United Airlines NYC Half is a part of NYRR’s Five-Borough Series: Run New York. Five Boroughs. One City.
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Concrete Jungle Where Dreams Are Made Of
I love racing in New York City! This course did a loop of Central Park before heading toward Times Square and the finish line. The rolling hills of central park … MORE
I love racing in New York City! This course did a loop of Central Park before heading toward Times Square and the finish line. The rolling hills of central park can be tricky, but the crowd here was awesome! There didn’t seem to be much of a finish line party, but I had a great time at the actual race.
Great way to see New York City
When I signed up for this race, I had no idea how big it was. I have ran the Marine Corps Marathon twice so knew what to expect for a … MORE
When I signed up for this race, I had no idea how big it was. I have ran the Marine Corps Marathon twice so knew what to expect for a bigger race. We stayed across the street from Central Park and took the Subway earlier than what was suggested and I had to sprint to start to make sure I got there. The run was amazing and loved it. The finish was awful. I have never ran a race where my family wasn’t there to see the finish. It took me about 45 minutes to find my husband. The exit from Central Park was so crowded and confusing. I am glad I ran it but will not do again.
The new route is AMAZING!!!
In 2018, the NYC Half changed its route and made it a two borough race, between Prospect Park in Brooklyn and Central Park in Manhattan. After the difficulties in the … MORE
In 2018, the NYC Half changed its route and made it a two borough race, between Prospect Park in Brooklyn and Central Park in Manhattan. After the difficulties in the cramped start area, this year the NYRR relocated the start inside the Prospect Park and it was a lot better and roomier, lots of porta-potties, tents, and room to warm-up. The route is excellent, esp. the rundown from the Manhattan bridge and run up the 7th avenue through the Times Square!!! Highly recommended!!!
Chilly day, nice race
The start area in Prospect Park was a pretty chaotic. After the wonderfully organized full marathon in November, this was crazy. Plenty of porta potties. The race was well organized … MORE
The start area in Prospect Park was a pretty chaotic. After the wonderfully organized full marathon in November, this was crazy. Plenty of porta potties.
The race was well organized and the finish area is very well located to catch a subway. They ran out of Mylar blankets at the finish.
Run through Times Square
Last time I ran the NYC Half, it was all in Manhattan (started in Central Park, ran through Times Square over to the West Side Highway and finished at the … MORE
Last time I ran the NYC Half, it was all in Manhattan (started in Central Park, ran through Times Square over to the West Side Highway and finished at the tip of the island). New course starts in Brooklyn and ends in Central Park. I mostly liked the new route. No matter how many races I’ve done in Prospect Park, I just don’t find my way to the start there very easily!
I am so grateful for all that NYRR does week in and week out. They put on great local (short) races. This race was a bit rocky from my perspective. The expo is a very small space for the number of runners, so bib pick up was a bit chaotic.
As I stated above, getting the start was a bit challenging for me, and I somewhat know Prospect Park. I can imagine it would be even more confusing for travelers who come to NYC just for the race.
There are some hills, but it’s NYC! There aren’t many races here that don’t involve some hills. There are good sights and lots of energy, so that can distract you from the hills.
Biggest bummer for me was that I didn’t receive a medal at the finish line! When I crossed they were out of medals and Myler blankets. Apparently they (the medals) were just missing. I was able to pick it up later. That was annoying for me, a local. It would be very disappointing for travelers, though NYRR promised to mail them to everyone who didn’t get one, including international runners.
I love my city and I love racing here, so despite the hiccups I experienced this year (and a slower time due to several months of injuries), I would still recommend this race.
New Course is a bit disappointing!
It was my 5th NYC Manhattan Half. I loved the old course which was good for personal bests. This year they have changed the course and there were a few … MORE
It was my 5th NYC Manhattan Half. I loved the old course which was good for personal bests. This year they have changed the course and there were a few disadvantages: first of all the start at Prospect Park was not as beautiful as it was in Central Park. There was not the same magic atmosphere. The trucks for bag check were parked the wrong way so that runners had to go behind the trucks. As it was still dark at 6 a clock I fell down as I could not see the uneven ground. Fortunately I did not hurt anything. The restrooms were IN the start corrals which was good on the one hand but lead to a chaos on the other hand. Another disadvantage is the fact that the course is much tougher than the older was. Running across Manhattan Bridge is nice, but quite hard and running Central Park at the end of the race is also quite exhausting.
Wind in New York seems to always blow from the northwest which means that now runners have to run against almost all the time while they could run with the wind on the old course.
The finish in Central Park is ok, but unfortunately friends are not able to come to the finish line as ways are blocked. Runners have to walk out of Central Park from 72nd street (finish) all the way down to the south exit at Columbus Circle where they can meet their friends. I do hope that they will change to the old course again or at least improve this course!
New course, great sights
This was a new course for the race this year. Challenging inclines going over the bridge after mile 2. Watch out for the hills in Central Park at the end! MORE
This was a new course for the race this year. Challenging inclines going over the bridge after mile 2. Watch out for the hills in Central Park at the end!
New course, same great race
The NYC 1/2 had a new course this year. Runners now start in Brooklyn and end in Central Park (but no Harlem Hill!). The weather this year was beautiful, if … MORE
The NYC 1/2 had a new course this year. Runners now start in Brooklyn and end in Central Park (but no Harlem Hill!). The weather this year was beautiful, if not a little chilly. I took a bus down that a local running store organized so it was amazing to not have to worry about transit, have a bathroom on the bus, and we got to sit on the bus until right before the corrals would close (warmth!). If you can do a bus, I highly recommend it.
I took quite a few pictures along the course this year of the Freedom Tower, Manhattan Bridge, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, East River, the United Nations, and Times Square (I didn’t take a picture of Grand Central, though we did run past it). The course is definitely more challenging in years past with the first 2 miles being mainly downhill and final 3 being rolling hills, but it’s far from the most challenging course I’ve run and I missed a PR by all of 6 seconds (my PR being set on the old course).
This year had 2 waves, so starting didn’t take as long as in years past, though I still dislike the 5 or so minute lag between corrals.
Course support was arguably better than in years past. People definitely came out in Brooklyn, China Town, and 42nd St./Times Square, as well as in Central Park.
This year, bib pickup was a mini expo. In my opinion, even though the “expo” really wasn’t one, it was still better than nothing. This year’s shirts were long sleeve tech shirts (that ran very very small) and the medal was finally a new design (that resembles either Epcot or the Times Square NYE ball).
After the finish, folks had to walk at least 10 blocks out of the park a la the NYC Marathon (the finish line was actually in about the same place, just approached from the other direction *downhill* yay!). Runners were given a recovery bag with a Powerbar, apple, pretzels, Gatorade, and water.
All in all, I still love this race and honestly felt that today’s experience is what the marathon should have been when I ran it back in 2016. It’s an amazing way to see the city!
New York City - nuff said
You'll need to enter the lottery to get in, but there are also fundraising options. It is a great experience, one of only 2 days where they close Times Square … MORE
You’ll need to enter the lottery to get in, but there are also fundraising options. It is a great experience, one of only 2 days where they close Times Square – you’ll run right through it! It can be cold (it was this year), but the course is pretty fair and only has a few undulations, nothing really of a “hill” nature. I will look to run again in future.
One of the best races!
Perfect race. Beautiful course. Breathtaking moments esp. at Times Square. Nice T-Shirt. Nice Medal. Drinks and Energy Gels along the course. Super atmosphere! I love NYC Half! Weather conditions: cold, … MORE
Perfect race. Beautiful course. Breathtaking moments esp. at Times Square. Nice T-Shirt. Nice Medal. Drinks and Energy Gels along the course. Super atmosphere! I love NYC Half! Weather conditions: cold, but ok!
Run the BIG APPLE!
I love everything of this race. Taking the metro to Central Park early in the morning. Sunrise in Central Park before the start. First 10 km through Central Park, then … MORE
I love everything of this race. Taking the metro to Central Park early in the morning. Sunrise in Central Park before the start. First 10 km through Central Park, then running 7th Avenue and crossing Times Square – fantastic atmosphere. Last part of the race all the way down to Financial District! Fabulous Race!!!
Just do it!!!
NYC Half is always fun! First you run through beautiful Central Park before you continue on 7th avenue and cross Times Square which is one of the best running experiences … MORE
NYC Half is always fun! First you run through beautiful Central Park before you continue on 7th avenue and cross Times Square which is one of the best running experiences ever.
One of my favorite races
I have a special place in my heart for the NYC 1/2. It was my first 1/2 ever and I've run it a total of 4 times. The downside to … MORE
I have a special place in my heart for the NYC 1/2. It was my first 1/2 ever and I’ve run it a total of 4 times. The downside to it is that you either have to qualify by time, run for charity, or get lucky enough to get picked in the lottery.
The only other downside is that the location of the expo changes and some years it’s pretty bad (2016 saw no expo at all, just BIB pickup).
Every year, the medal has gotten nicer and they offer gender specific shirts, however you’re stuck with the size that you choose at registration so it helps to ask those who’ve run it how the shirt runs.
The course is fun. The hills are basically all in the first 6 miles as the course begins in Central Park. From there, it’s out to Times Square and down the West Side Highway (which is flat if not slightly downhill), finally ending on Wall St. You can’t beat the scenery of the city and the crowd support is nice, especially around Times Square and the finish. Crowd support can be a bit sparse on the West Side Highway, but there are cheer stations and stations with bands, DJs, etc. all along the course. There are also plenty of water stops and a gel stop around mile 8.
At the finish, you are handed your medal, a foil blanket, and a goodie bag usually containing fruit, pretzels, gatorade, and other assorted promotional goodies. It can be tricky to locate family members at the finish, so it helps to have a pre-desinated reunion spot. The finish is right near the ferry and subway, so it’s easy to get back uptown (the course is point to point).
The weather is very iffy in March in NYC, so plan for anything from freezing cold to…not so freezing cold. Yeah, it’s been cold every year…and it’s basically always windy. Definitely bring something to wear and toss off at the start and layer accordingly.
Awesome!!
Great tour of NYC!!! starts in Central Park and ends at South Street Seaport. Running through times Square was my favorite part!! Wish the weather was a little warmer though. MORE
Great tour of NYC!!! starts in Central Park and ends at South Street Seaport. Running through times Square was my favorite part!! Wish the weather was a little warmer though.
Most spectacular course you can run.
The NYC half has probably the most spectacular course you could ever imagine running. A loop around Central park, then down 7th Ave, through Times Square, onto 42nd St, then … MORE
The NYC half has probably the most spectacular course you could ever imagine running. A loop around Central park, then down 7th Ave, through Times Square, onto 42nd St, then down the West Side Highway to the Financial District, finishing near South Seaport. The entire course is nothing but scenic, with plenty of spectators cheering you on. The trip through Times Square is something you will long remember.