NYRR just revealed the pro field for the March 15, 2026 United Airlines NYC Half, bringing back all four defending champions and stacking the start list with Olympians, record holders, and global medalists for a showdown from Brooklyn to Central Park.
New York Road Runners has announced the professional field for the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half, and the March 15 race is shaping up to be one of the deepest in event history.
All four defending champions return, headlined by men’s winner Abel Kipchumba and women’s champion Sharon Lokedi.
According to NYRR, the field includes 30 Olympians and Paralympians, 19 national record holders, and 11 global medalists.
Kipchumba enters chasing history after running 59:09 to win in 2025, and a third consecutive title would make him the first three-time men’s champion in race history.
He will face a formidable group that includes Daniel Ebenyo, Rory Linkletter, and Norway’s Sondre Nordstad Moen.
The American men’s field adds further intrigue, with Olympic medalists Grant Fisher making his half marathon debut and Galen Rupp returning to New York.
On the women’s side, Lokedi will meet defending marathon champion Hellen Obiri, while Agnes Ngetich makes her NYRR debut as the second fastest half marathoner in history. Emily Sisson leads a strong American contingent.
The 13.1-mile course runs from Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to Central Park, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge and passing through Times Square, offering both spectacle and speed.
For one morning in March, New York turns into a proving ground where records, reputations, and restless ambition all toe the same starting line.
Start your running journey today!
No spam. Cancel anytime.
