New York, December 11, 2015—The 2016 United Airlines NYC Half, set for Sunday, March 20, will feature 20,000 runners in the 13.1-mile race and 1,000 students in the second annual NYRR Times Square Kids’ Run at the United Airlines NYC Half. The runner field was selected in an entry drawing held on December 10, while the professional field will be announced in early 2016. The race will be broadcast live in the New York area on WABC-TV, Channel 7.

“One of the world’s most iconic half-marathons returns to the streets of New York City as runners head from Harlem to Battery Park in the 2016 United Airlines NYC Half,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for NYRR and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. “This race has it all, from a global array of 20,000 runners including a professional field featuring many who will be competing in Rio at the 2016 Summer Olympics, to 1,000 kids running through Times Square, to a live television broadcast. The 11th running of the United Airlines NYC Half is poised to be the best ever.”

The United Airlines NYC Half brings together runners from throughout the five boroughs and around the world. The field is made up of both guaranteed and non-guaranteed entrants. Runners received guaranteed entry through a variety of methods, which are detailed here on the official race page. Non-guaranteed entrants were secured through a drawing held on December 10. The application period for all entrants opened on October 15, 2015, and closed on December 3, 2015. 

15,206 runners were added to the race field through the non-guaranteed entry drawing. A total of 36,522 applications were received for the drawing. The selected runners represent approximately 42% of non-guaranteed applicants. Approximately 20,000 runners are expected to finish the 2016 United Airlines NYC Half.

For the second consecutive year, the NYRR Times Square Kids’ Run at the United Airlines NYC Half will feature 1,000 students, many from NYRR’s free youth running programs, in a 1500-meter out-and-back race through the heart of New York City. The race takes place simultaneously alongside the United Airlines NYC Half running route.

“The United Airlines NYC Half has a positive impact on so many people,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. “Through our partnership with United Airlines, this race gives thousands of adults and kids the race experience of a lifetime. From the many young runners participating in the NYRR Times Square Kids’ Run at the United Airlines NYC Half to the thousands of dedicated cause-related runners raising money for more than 120 official race charity partner organizations, including our very own NYRR Team for Kids charity running team that supports our free youth running programs, the race is inspiring on so many levels.”

Runners who were not accepted through the drawing, and those who did not apply during the application period, can still run the United Airlines NYC Half by joining NYRR's Team for Kids, which raises vital funds to support NYRR’s free youth running programs, or through an official United Airlines NYC Half charity partner. Runners who have been accepted can also raise money for their favorite charity—including Team for Kids, any official charity partner, or the charity of their choice—by using NYRR’s partner fundraising platform powered by CrowdRise. More than 120 official charity partners will participate in the 2016 United Airlines NYC Half. Over $5 million was raised by 2015 United Airlines NYC Half charity runners to help more than 100 nonprofit organizations support their missions and services.

The 2015 United Airlines NYC Half had 19,454 finishers from nearly all 50 states and at least 67 countries. For the first time ever, the NYRR Times Square Kids’ Run at the United Airlines NYC Half gave hundreds of kids the opportunity to participate in a race of their own.

About the United Airlines NYC Half
Founded in 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. The United Airlines NYC Half is NYRR’s signature half-marathon, and the opening event of the NYRR Five-Borough Series. The race features a talented American and international professional athlete field, competitive, recreational, and charity runners, some 1,500 volunteers and thousands of spectators. The event offers the quintessential New York experience—a 13.1-mile tour of the Big Apple like no other—from the rolling hills of Central Park, up to Harlem, down through Times Square, along the Hudson River waterfront, to a finish in lower Manhattan. United Airlines, New York area's largest airline, is the title sponsor of the United Airlines NYC Half and an NYRR foundation partner. To learn more, visit unitedairlinesnychalf.nyrr.org.

Contacts:
NYRR Media Relations
Emily Gallagher: (o) 212.423.2287 (c) 646.737.3840 (e) egallagher@nyrr.org
Chris Weiller: (o) 212.320.4046 (c) 917.816.7900 (e) cweiller@nyrr.org