New York City Half Marathon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New York City Half Marathon |
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Times Square during inaugural race in 2006
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| Date | Usually the 3rd Sunday in March |
| Location | New York City |
| Event type | Road |
| Distance | Half marathon 13.109 miles (21.097 km) |
| Primary sponsor | United Airlines |
| Established | 2006 |
| Course records | 59:24 (men) 1:07:35 (women) 1:12:20 (non-binary) |
| Participants | 24,745 finishers (2023) 24,663 finishers (2019) |
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The New York City Half Marathon is a big annual running race. It's also known as the United Airlines NYC Half. This exciting race takes runners from Brooklyn's Prospect Park all the way to Manhattan's Central Park. It has been held every year since 2006, except for 2020 and 2021.
The race is a half marathon, which means it's about 13.1 miles (21.1 kilometers) long. Along the way, runners pass by famous New York City landmarks. These include Times Square, Grand Central, and Grand Army Plaza. The race is organized by New York Road Runners (NYRR).
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History of the NYC Half Marathon
Many amazing runners have taken part in the New York City Half Marathon. Some of these include world record holders like Haile Gebrselassie and Paula Radcliffe. Olympic medalists such as Catherine Ndereba, Meb Keflezighi, and Deena Kastor have also raced.
In 2007, Haile Gebrselassie set the men's course record. He finished the race in an incredible 59 minutes and 24 seconds. For women, Molly Huddle set a record in 2016. Her time was 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 41 seconds.
When the race first started, it was held in the summer. But in 2010, it was moved to March. This change helped more people participate. In 2010, over 11,600 runners finished the race.
In 2014, United Airlines became the main sponsor of the NYC Half Marathon. They also sponsor many other NYRR races. The races in 2020 and 2021 were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Runners who had signed up could get their money back or join the 2022 race instead.
The Race Course Over the Years
The path runners take in the NYC Half Marathon has changed a few times. This keeps the race exciting and allows for new views of the city.
Early Race Paths (2006–2008)
From 2006 to 2008, the race began in Central Park. Runners did a big loop inside the park. Then, they exited onto Seventh Avenue and ran through Times Square. After that, they turned onto 42nd Street and then the West Side Highway. The race finished near the southern tip of Manhattan.
Mid-Period Course (2009–2017)
Between 2009 and 2017, the course still started in Central Park. Runners completed a 6.2-mile (10 km) loop there. The path then went along Seventh Avenue to Times Square. From there, it followed 42nd Street to the West Side Highway. This course also passed through Battery Park and ended on Wall Street.
Modern Course (2018–2024)
In 2018, the course changed again. This time, the race started in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Runners headed northwest on Flatbush Avenue and crossed the Manhattan Bridge. They then ran through the Lower East Side and onto 42nd Street. After passing Times Square, the course went north on Seventh Avenue into Central Park. Runners finished near 75th Street on the west side of Central Park.
Newest Course Change (Since 2025)
For the 2025 race, there was another exciting change. The course now includes the famous Brooklyn Bridge instead of the Manhattan Bridge. This change happened because of construction near the Manhattan Bridge.
Past Winners of the Race
Here are some of the amazing athletes who have won the New York City Half Marathon:
| Date | Male winner | Time | Female winner | Time | Non-binary winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006.08.27 |  Tom Nyariki (KEN) |
1:01:22 | Catherine Ndereba (KEN) |
1:09:43 | not contested | |
| 2007.08.05 |  Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) |
59:24 | Hilda Kibet (KEN) |
1:10:32 | ||
| 2008.07.27 | Tadese Tola (ETH) |
1:00:58 | Catherine Ndereba (KEN) |
1:10:19 | ||
| 2009.08.16 | Tadese Tola (ETH) |
1:01:06 |  Paula Radcliffe (GBR) |
1:09:45 | ||
| 2010.03.21 | Peter Kamais (KEN) |
59:52 | Mara Yamauchi (GBR) |
1:09:17 | ||
| 2011.03.20 | Mo Farah (GBR) |
1:00:23 | Caroline Rotich (KEN) |
1:08:52 | ||
| 2012.03.18 | Peter Kirui (KEN) |
59:39 |  Firehiwot Dado (ETH) |
1:08:35 | ||
| 2013.03.17 | Wilson Kipsang (KEN) |
1:01:02 | Caroline Rotich (KEN) |
1:09:09 | ||
| 2014.03.16 | Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) |
1:00:50 | Sally Kipyego (KEN) |
1:08:31 | ||
| 2015.03.15 | Leonard Korir (KEN) |
1:01:06 |  Molly Huddle (USA) |
1:08:31 | ||
| 2016.03.20 | Stephen Sambu (KEN) |
1:01:16 | Molly Huddle (USA) |
1:07:41 | ||
| 2017.03.19 | Feyisa Lilesa (ETH) |
1:00:04 | Molly Huddle (USA) |
1:08:19 | ||
| 2018.03.18 | Ben True (USA) |
1:02:39 | Buze Diriba (ETH) |
1:12:23 | ||
| 2019.03.17 | Belay Tilahun (ETH) |
1:02:10 | Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) |
1:10:07 | ||
| — | cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic | |||||
| 2022.03.20 | Edward Cheserek (KEN) |
1:00:37 | Senbere Teferi (ETH) |
1:07:35 | Jacob Caswell (USA) |
1:12:20 |
| 2023.03.19 |  Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) |
1:01:31 | Hellen Obiri (KEN) |
1:07:21 | Ian Stowe (USA) |
1:15:26 |
| 2024.03.17 | Abel Kipchumba (KEN) |
1:00:25 |  Karoline Grøvdal (NOR) |
1:09:09 | Galo Vasquez (USA) |
1:10:41 |
| 2025.03.16 | Abel Kipchumba (KEN) |
0:59:09 | Sharon Lokedi (KEN) |
1:07:04 | Galo Vasquez (USA) |
1:11:22 |
See also
