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Longtime Local Racer Jacob Hoyos Is Back for the United Airlines NYC Half

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BYNYRR Staff
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Photo by MarathonFoto

When he first emigrated from Mexico to New York City as a young man, Jacob Hoyos worked constantly so he could send money to his family. He remembers being in Central Park one day and watching runners log their miles. Feeling overwhelmed by his own life of constant work, Jacob thought to himself, “This is not life. Life has to be something else.” He decided to start running. Nearly 30 years later, Jacob has run 169 NYRR races, including the New York City Marathon at least 18 times. On March 17, he’ll line up for the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half. His journey to the start line hasn’t been easy. At the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half, Jacob developed an injury that kept him out of running for six months. He spent the time taking walks, strength training at the gym, biking around NYC, and volunteering at NYRR races. Jacob believes that running enhances his health, both physically and mentally. "Running [along with diet and medication] has helped me control my type 2 diabetes," he said. "It has kept me in shape at 51 years old, and I feel strong. Age is just a number."

He added, "Running clears my mind. It relaxes and calms me. It helps me be in tune with myself and inspires me."

Jacob is proud that his two sons, ages 16 and 11, join him for occasional runs, though he laughs that they sometimes ask, “Dad, why do we have to run?” His answer is simple: He wants to teach them the importance of having “a good foundation” in life and health. His younger son is named Miles, partly to honor Jacob's love of running. He's looking forward to race day. "I am excited to run the unique course," he said. "I love running through Times Square, Chinatown, and Brooklyn."

He doesn't even mind the hard parts, like crossing the Manhattan Bridge. "The incline poses challenges to my aging knees, but I welcome it and hope that with the injury in hindsight, I will finish strong."

Read another inspiring story about an entrant in the United Airlines NYC Half, Gretchen Evans, here.