United Airlines and New York Road Runners Announce United as the Title Sponsor of the NYC Half
New York, October 8, 2014—United Airlines and New York Road Runners today announced an extension to their marketing agreement, naming United as the title sponsor of one of NYRR’s flagship races, the NYC Half. The 2015 United Airlines NYC Half will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2015, in Manhattan.
As an NYRR Foundation Partner, United Airlines is the official airline of TCS New York City Marathon and United Airlines NYC Half. United also serves as the official airline and a supporting sponsor of the other NYRR Five-Borough series events—the Brooklyn Half, Queens 10K, Bronx 10-Mile, and the Staten Island Half.
“We are thrilled to elevate our marketing agreement with United Airlines with an expanded presence throughout the five boroughs and beyond,” said John Gassner, vice president, business development and strategic partnerships of New York Road Runners. “As the title sponsor of our signature half-marathon—the United Airlines NYC Half—along with the activation around NYRR’s Five-Borough Series and the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines is now uniquely positioned as a key supporter in the running community.”
“As the New York area’s largest airline, we are in a great position to support New York Road Runners and bring runners, fans and visitors from around the world to participate in the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon and other NYRR Five-Borough series events,” said Thomas F. O’Toole, United’s senior vice president of marketing and loyalty and president of MileagePlus.
United Airlines will have prominent race-day presence from start to finish at the 2015 United Airlines NYC Half, including brand presence on race numbers, participant shirts, finisher amenities and signage.
The 2015 United Airlines NYC Half features a talented American and international professional athlete field, charity runners, thousands of runners of all ranks, some 1,500 volunteers and thousands of spectators. The race boasts an on-street experience 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.
Last year, a new course configuration accommodated an increase in the field size and allowed for a professional wheelchair race for the first time. 20,828 runners crossed the finish line, making it the largest NYC Half yet. Runners from more than 65 countries and each of the 50 states participated. WABC-TV will broadcast live locally the 2015 United Airlines NYC Half.
United is the New York area's largest airline, offering more flights and more seats from the region to more destinations around the world than any other carrier. The airline offers nearly 400 flights each day from Newark Liberty to more than 150 destinations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia – as well as service from New York LaGuardia and from New York Kennedy to top business centers.