The excitement is growing as the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half, hosted by the New York Road Runners, which is set for Sunday, March 17, draws closer.
New York Road Runners (NYRR) has unveiled a star-studded lineup of elite athletes, promising a thrilling race through the heart of New York City. With 11 Olympians and a host of professional contenders, this year’s event is poised to be one for the books.
In the men’s elite race, all eyes are on U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials victor Conner Mantz and runner-up Clayton Young, fresh from their impressive performances in Orlando.
The duo, hailing from Provo, Utah, is ready to tackle the challenging course, with Mantz expressing his eagerness to improve upon his past experiences in half marathons.
Joining them is the legendary Kenenisa Bekele, a four-time Olympic medalist and a force in the marathon and half marathon, who returns to New York after a stellar run at the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon.
Bekele also capped off his 2023 season by setting a new Masters World Record at the Valencia Marathon, running 2:04:19.
With formidable competitors like Abel Kipchumba and Zouhair Talbi in the mix, the battle for supremacy promises edge-of-the-seat excitement.
Talbi comes into the race after a stellar start to the 2024 season, where he won the Chevron Houston Marathon, crossing the line in 2:06:39.
In the women’s elite race, a stellar lineup awaits, led by the likes of Des Linden, Jenny Simpson, and Edna Kiplagat.
These seasoned Olympians, along with rising stars such as Gladys Chepkurui and Cynthia Limo, are set to showcase their prowess on the streets of NYC.
With past champions and podium contenders vying for glory, including Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal and Malindi Elmore, the competition is expected to be fierce.
As more than 25,000 runners gear up to tackle the iconic course, spanning from Brooklyn to Manhattan, the excitement is not limited to the participants alone. Spectators worldwide can tune in to live coverage of the event, courtesy of NYRR’s digital channels and abc7ny.com, ensuring that fans don’t miss a moment of the action.
With the countdown underway, anticipation is building for the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half. As elite athletes come down on the streets of New York City in three weeks time, all eyes are on the prize, with a deep elite field in the men’s and women’s race setting the stage for a thrilling race.
