2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon Event and Road Closure Trend Summary
The 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, March 15, 2025, leading to significant road closures across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Approximately 25,000 runners will participate in the 13.1-mile race starting at 7:00 a.m. near Prospect Park. The event features an elite professional field and a diverse group of celebrity participants raising money for various charities.
TL;DR
- The race starts Sunday at 7:00 a.m. in Brooklyn and finishes in Central Park.
- Major thoroughfares, including the Manhattan Bridge and FDR Drive, will be closed to vehicle traffic.
- The professional field includes world-record holder Agnes Ng’etich and Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri.
- Street closures begin as early as 3:00 a.m. and will roll through the afternoon.
What Happened
New York Road Runners (NYRR) confirmed the logistics for the 19th running of the United Airlines NYC Half. The race commences on Washington Avenue in Brooklyn, adjacent to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park. Runners will traverse the Manhattan Bridge, head north on the FDR Drive, exit at 42nd Street to pass through Times Square, and finally enter Central Park at 59th Street. The finish line is located at 75th Street inside the park.
I am looking forward to my first race in New York. I have heard so much about the atmosphere and the course, and I am ready for the test against such strong competitors.
Traffic impact will be substantial, with the Manhattan Bridge closed to all vehicles from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Additionally, the FDR Drive Northbound will be closed from the Battery Park Underpass to East 42nd Street between 5:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Key Developments
The elite women’s field is particularly competitive this year, featuring a showdown between Agnes Ng’etich, who holds the 10km world record of 28:46, and Kenyan stars Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi. Obiri enters the race as a defending champion of the Boston and New York City Marathons. Cynthia Limo, the 2016 champion, also returns to the field. On the celebrity side, participants include television personalities and athletes running for organizations such as Team for Kids.
Public transportation will be affected; several bus routes in Brooklyn and Manhattan will be rerouted. Spectators are encouraged to use the subway, and the official NYRR Racing App provides real-time tracking for participants. The final wave of runners is expected to clear the course by 1:00 p.m.
Why This Matters
This event serves as one of the premier half marathons globally, often acting as a form guide for the upcoming spring marathon season. It contributes significantly to the local economy and charity fundraising, with millions of dollars raised annually. For the city, the large-scale road closures require coordination across the NYPD and Department of Transportation to manage the influx of 25,000 athletes and thousands of spectators in high-traffic areas like Times Square.
What Happens Next
Following the race on Sunday afternoon, city crews will begin reopening streets in stages, starting with the Brooklyn sections. The Central Park area near the finish line will remain congested through the late afternoon. Official race results and final fundraising totals will be published by NYRR on Monday, March 16. Runners looking toward the next major event can prepare for the Brooklyn Half scheduled for May.
Key Terms & Concepts
- NYRR
- New York Road Runners, the non-profit organization that produces the NYC Half and the TCS NYC Marathon.
- Wave Start
- A method of starting a large race in groups to manage course density and ensure safety.
- FDR Drive
- The Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive, a major parkway on the east side of Manhattan heavily impacted by race day closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the NYC Half Marathon start?
The first wave, including professional wheelchair athletes, starts at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 15. Subsequent waves for the 25,000 participants continue through 9:00 a.m.
Which bridges will be closed for the race?
The Manhattan Bridge (Lower Level) will be closed to all vehicle traffic from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on race day. Drivers should use the Brooklyn Bridge or Williamsburg Bridge as alternatives.
Where is the best place to watch the marathon?
Popular spectator spots include Times Square (42nd Street and 7th Avenue) and the finish line in Central Park near 75th Street. Expect heavy crowds in these areas starting from 8:00 a.m.
Is the FDR Drive completely closed?
No, only the Northbound lanes from the Battery Park Underpass to East 42nd Street are closed from 5:30 a.m. until roughly 12:00 p.m. Southbound lanes generally remain open but experience heavy delays.
Who are the professional runners to watch?
Key athletes include 10km world record holder Agnes Ng’etich and multi-time marathon champion Hellen Obiri. They are competing for a significant professional prize purse.