NYC Half-Marathon Set for Sunday, August 16

Online registration will open at noon on Friday, May 1, on a first-come, first-served basis - New York, April 29, 2009—The fourth annual NYC Half-Marathon, whose iconic 13.1-mile course takes runners from Central Park to Battery Park by way of Times Square, will be run on Sunday, August 16, 2009, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

In a change from 2008, those who want to participate in the event must register online (www.nyrr.org) on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The half-marathon is one of the most popular race distances, and we are proud to offer this unique course through the heart of the Big Apple,” said Wittenberg. “In only four years, this event has become a highlight among our summer races.”

Inaugurated in 2006, the NYC Half-Marathon continues to attract the world’s leading professional athletes and thousands of recreational runners. In 2008, more than 19,000 people applied (runners were accepted via a lottery), and more than 10,500 entrants—an event record—finished the race. The men’s and women’s winners were Ethiopia’s Tadesse Tola and Kenyan Olympic Marathon silver medalist Catherine Ndereba.

On a course designed to celebrate New York City, the NYC Half-Marathon will take runners on a loop through Central Park, down Seventh Avenue through Times Square, across 42nd Street, and along the expansive West Side Highway to Battery Park in the heart of the city’s financial district, finishing with a view of the Statue of Liberty.

New York Road Runners

New York Road Runners, founded in 1958, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and responding to community needs. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and website support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of more than 100, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR’s home base in New York, and its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the world’s top professional runners. Our youth programs provide running to some 50,000 schoolchildren in New York City, around the country, and in South Africa who would otherwise have few or no fitness opportunities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.

Meghan Chisholm
Media Associate
New York Road Runners
mchisholm@nyrr.org
212-423-2203