Sustainability at the United Airlines NYC Half

NYRR’s aim of building healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running includes doing our part to ensure future generations have access to clean air, green spaces, and a healthy world in which to run. NYRR has carried out sustainability initiatives for nearly a decade and has the goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040.

At this year’s United Airlines NYC Half, we continued our commitment to sustainability with the following race-day initiatives:

• The 2 pace cars were fully electric Volvo EX90s and the 4 support cars were Volvo plug-in hybrid XC90 Recharge vehicles.
• 28,000+ finisher medals were made in the USA from 100% recycled steel.
• Finisher medal ribbons were made from PET recycled material.
• There were 5 waste diversion stations at the start and finish with Green Team volunteers helping runners sort their waste.
• Leftover food and recovery bags were donated to City Harvest.
• All Gatorade and water cups on the course were compostable and composted at McEnroe Farms in Upstate NY.
• Discarded runner clothing was collected at the start and donated to All of Us Clothing who will distribute it to New Yorkers in need.

NYRR Team for Climate

Building on the success of NYRR Team for Climate at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon—where New York Road Runners became the first major marathon to introduce an entry method linked to sustainability efforts—we anticipated strong enthusiasm and engagement for the program at the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half. Approximately 100 participants registered for the second-ever iteration of the initiative, which provides runners the opportunity to run and fundraise to showcase their commitment to protecting our environment.

NYRR continued to partner with Anew Climate, a global climate solutions leader, to commit to use a portion of the funds raised by Team for Climate to purchase verified carbon credits for improved forest management projects, a practice known as carbon offsetting. New this year, NYRR also committed to using a portion of the funds raised for projects within NYRR that reduce the total emissions generated within NYRR’s events and operations, a practice known as carbon insetting, to deliver a more environmentally friendly racing experience for all.

Team for Climate runners had access to several perks, including a complimentary virtual training plan with NYRR x Runna, an exclusive bib assign desk at the United Airlines NYC Half Experience Presented by New Balance, a Climate Stripes singlet, and a special hospitality area at the start on race day.

Look out for NYRR Team for Climate runners at the 2025 RBC Brooklyn Half. Registration for this program at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon will take place in April. Please check here for updates.

Sustainability Tips and Plogging Event

On the Saturday before race day, Tina Muir, former elite marathoner and climate activist joined NYRR Coach and Runner Training and Products Specialist Gemma Ward at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub to share a few sustainability-focused tips on how runners can easily take small but impactful sustainable actions on race day.

Coach Gemma asked Tina how she balances sustainability and performance with her gear and nutrition choices.

Tina’s tips include:

• Buying gels in bulk and often transferring them into reusable containers for races
• Putting single serving gel packets back into their pockets to recycle them properly after the event, rather than dropping them on the course
• Using reusable cups and bottles and refilling them at aid stations along the courses
• Investing in a few high-quality pieces of clothing that are durable enough to withstand sweat, frequent washing, intense training, and harsh weather conditions

She also emphasizes the importance of small, collective actions, suggesting that going meatless at least once a week can make a meaningful impact when adopted by many.

A plogging event followed the conversation and was a resounding success, with over 40 runners—many using it as a shakeout before their big race the next day—completing a 2-mile route through Midtown Manhattan collecting trash along the way. While plogging may not single-handedly transform a big city’s cleanliness, it has a powerful ripple effect on the community. A heartwarming moment happened at the halfway point when a young girl in a stroller joyfully called out, “Thank you!” as she and her father crossed 11th Avenue, watching us run by with gloves and compostable trash bags in hand.

Register for our next plogging event taking place before the 2025 RBC Brooklyn Half here.