2026 United Airlines NYC Half

Check out our training resources that'll help you prepare for race day.

• In-person Group Training, geared toward local New York City runners who enjoy running with others
• Virtual training through NYRR x Runna, the world's top-rated running coach app, to train anywhere, anytime
• Free training guides and tips through our Runner Resources

United Airlines NYC Half runners are assigned to corrals and waves based on the best pace attached to their NYRR account or estimated finish time they submitted with their registration (new runners to NYRR).

Runners who wish to submit a faster half marathon race result, which could qualify them for an assignment to an earlier start wave, must do so by March 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET, following these guidelines:

• Submit request to: https://help.nyrr.org/s/contactsupport
• Runners must provide the official race link (URL) from an in-person, certified half marathon completed between November 12, 2025 and February 28, 2026. Race results from indoor half marathons, virtual half marathons, triathlons, shorter distances and training runs will not be considered.

Please note:

• Runners will NOT be able to request a wave change at the United Airlines NYC Half Expo.
• Corral changes will not be considered.
• The NYRR Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K is the final NYRR race that updates best pace.
• Runners will receive a checklist email that will include wave and corral placement.

Starting March 2, be sure to check your email for your official confirmation form. It will include your assigned start wave and corral, start time, and other important race-day details.

You must visit the United Airlines NYC Half Expo Presented by New Balance in person to pick up your race materials. All runners should make an appointment in their NYRR dashboard (time slots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis). To pick up your race number, you are required to show your photo ID and QR code (printed or digitally).

Proxy bib pickup is allowed for this event.

We at New York Road Runners believe running should be accessible to everyone. To help, we created NYRR Race Freeto provide race fee assistance to those who qualify financially.

In 2026, we will offer 1,000 spots in the NYRR Race Free Program and more than 3,000 complimentary race entries, including entry for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. Accepted NYRR Race Free participants will receive up to 6 complimentary entries to our weekly races and the opportunity to access training for free.

The 2026 application period for races in calendar year 2026 will be open from October 20 through November 10, 2025. Accepted applicants will be notified by mid-December.

Note: If you were part of the 2025 program, you will need to reapply and re-qualify during the 2026 application period.

NYRR strives to host inclusive, sustainable, and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage. To request reasonable accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility for attending this event, please email accessibility@nyrr.org.

To learn more about NYRR accessibility, please visit the NYRR Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Resource page.

If you are an Athlete with Disability who needs a guide or support runner to participate in a NYRR event, please follow the process explained here. To request to register a support runner, the runner must fill out the following form.

• Review the NYRR policy on start and finish cutoff times here.
• Runners can register as woman, man, or nonbinary. Visit our FAQ page for more information on how to update your profile.
• If you wish to pay in cash for your race entry, please reach out to our Runner Services team for assistance. Please be sure to include the event name and the email associated with your NYRR account.
• This race is a 9+1 program qualifier.

NYRR offers Protecht, a refund program that provides registration fee protection on all paid events. This includes races and Group Training, and it will protect NYRR x Runna fees if it is an add-on to a race. To learn more, click here.

Once a runner has claimed their entry, or once a drawing applicant has been accepted into the race, all entry fees are non-refundable. Runners entered in the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half may defer their entry and earn guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the 2027 race, but they will be responsible for claiming their entry and paying the processing and entry fees for the 2027 race. The deadline for runners to defer their 2026 entry and get guaranteed non-complimentary into the 2027 race is March 14, 2026 at 11:59pm ET. For more information, visit our cancellation page.

Please note: Runners who earn guaranteed entry to the 2026 race because they canceled in 2025 cannot cancel a second time (in 2026) and become eligible for deferment to 2027.

No Refunds: Entry fees are non-refundable and may not be deferred or transferred.

1. Credit card charges: You will see a charge to your credit card for the race-entry fee. If your credit card is charged for the full race fee, you have been accepted into the race. You may be charged before you receive an email confirming your status or before your status changes in your NYRR account.

Please note: Your card must have an expiration date of December 2025 or later.

If you are selected in the drawing and your credit card is declined, you will be notified via email and given until November 24 at 11:59 p.m. to update your default credit card in your NYRR dashboard. We will periodically attempt to process and finalize your registration again through November 25.

If you have not updated your payment method and been successfully charged by November 25, you will be moved to not selected.

2. Status in your NYRR account: If you have been accepted into the race, your status will change to "Accepted” by end of day Thursday, November 20.

3. Email: Whether you have been accepted or not, you will receive an email indicating your status by the end of day Thursday, November 20.

Team for Kids is at FULL CAPACITY.

• The guaranteed entry claim period is October 21-November 11. If you have earned Guaranteed Entry, you can claim this entry through your NYRR dashboard during the claim window. For more information on entry methods, click here.
• You may NOT claim your guaranteed entry through this event page.
• Check your email for a link to claim your guaranteed entry. It may take up to a few hours from the claim window opening to receive your email. You can also claim your guaranteed entry directly in your NYRR dashboard (see image below).

• The application period for non-guaranteed entry is October 21-November 11.
• Applications for non-NYRR time qualifiers opened on October 21, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. and closed on October 28th at 11:59 p.m. For more information, please review our full policy here. Those accepted will have their credit card charged and will be notified of their acceptance via email. Those not accepted will be moved into the general entry drawing. If they would like to withdraw their name from the drawing, they can do so in their dashboard under Your Events.
• The drawing took place on November 20. Whether you have been accepted or not, your status will be updated in your dashboard and you will receive an email indicating your status by the end of day on November 20.

New York Road Runners is partnering with New York City's top cultural institutions to create a unique mix of experiences for United Airlines NYC Half runners and their friends and families—experiences that transcend the course and finish line. Learn more about the Beyond the Finish Line program here.