New York Road Runners (NYRR) has announced the return of the United Airlines NYC Half on March 20, 2022, after being cancelled in 2020 and not held in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Next year’s race will get back at full scale with an expected field of 25,000 runners – marking the first NYRR race to return to its traditional field size. The event is one of the organization’s signature races taking a 13.1-mile run from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
“In early March 2020, the United Airlines NYC Half was one of the first mass sporting events to be cancelled during the onset of the pandemic,” said Kerin Hempel, CEO, NYRR.
“We are extremely excited for the glorious return of this popular race. It will be reflective of our city’s vigour and serve as a defining moment as we bring our races back to full scale.”
The course showcases New York City’s historic landmarks, popular parks, views from the Manhattan Bridge, and diverse neighbourhoods. Starting at Prospect Park in Brooklyn the race passes Grand Army Plaza, the United Nations, Grand Central Terminal, and Times Square, before ending near the TCS New York City Marathon finish line in Central Park.
Additionally, the race will host hundreds of children taking part in the Rising New York Road Runners youth event featuring a 1,500m out-and-back course on Seventh Avenue in Times Square.
The 2022 United Airlines NYC Half field will consist of both guaranteed and non-guaranteed entrants. Runners can receive guaranteed entry through a variety of methods, e.g., for NYRR members who complete four qualifying events in 2022 and have an active membership by the last qualifying event.
Non-guaranteed applicants can register for a chance to run through the entry drawing. The application period for all guaranteed entrants and the entry drawing for non-guaranteed entrants opened at 13:00 EST on November 18 and closes at 23:59 EST on December 1.
The drawing for non-guaranteed applicants will take place on December 8, and runners will be notified of their entry status.
As part of NYRR’s commitment to increase inclusivity and representation in the running community, the 2022 United Airlines NYC Half will also serve as the launch of non-binary time qualifying standards.
In addition to the United Airlines NYC Half, NYRR will offer guaranteed entry for the Brooklyn Half and the TCS New York City Marathon to participants who meet time standards. Earlier this year, a non-binary gender identification and category for membership, race registrations, and program offerings were initiated.
Runners can also enter the field by running in support of the hundreds of causes through the United Airlines NYC Half Official Charity Partner Program, which will open for registration on December 8.
Health and safety remain a top priority. In collaboration with city, state, and federal guidelines and under the guidance of medical and public health experts, the race’s health and safety guidelines will be forthcoming in the upcoming months.
Additionally, runners who are unable to make it to New York City, can register for the Virtual United Airlines NYC Half opening on December 9. Here, runners will be able to run the 13.1-mile distance at their convenience and location of their choice any time between March 12-20.
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