NYPD claim Commissioner’s Cup title in friendly competition between governmental agencies put on by New York Road Runners
Celebrity names race 13.1 miles from Brooklyn to Manhattan, including Lil Nas X, Ginger Zee and Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes
More than a thousand youth dash through crossroads of the world in Times Square Kids Run
New York, March 17, 2024 – Abel Kipchumba, Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal, Geert Schipper, and Susannah Scaroni won titles Sunday at the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half, the world’s premier half marathon put on by non-profit New York Road Runners (NYRR), as more than 27,000 runners crossed the finish line to make it the largest race in event history dating back to 2006.
Kipchumba of Kenya won his NYRR racing debut in 1:00:25, with Morocco’s Zouhair Talbi 16 seconds behind in 1:00:41 in his second consecutive podium finish at the event. Eritrea’s Yemane Haileselassie was third in 1:01:37. Hillary Bor, fourth overall, was the top American finisher in 1:01:47 in his half-marathon debut.
“It was a great day for me. I won the race, and this is my first time in New York,” Kipchumba said. “I want to thank all of New York City and New York Road Runners.”
Bjerkeli Grovdal became the first woman from Norway to win the United Airlines NYC Half, crossing the line in 1:09:09 and claiming her first title at the event after finishing third each of the last two years. Kenyans Gladys Chepkurui and Edna Kiplagat rounded out the podium in 1:09:27 and 1:09:46, respectively. Jenny Simpson, eight-time winner of the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, was the top American in sixth overall in 1:12:06.
“I’m so happy to take a win here. I had a dream to do that so it’s so fun,” Bjerkeli Grovdal said. “I really like to run in New York; it’s my fifth time running here, and I love it. To win here is fantastic.”
Scaroni raced to her third consecutive and fourth overall United Airlines NYC Half title, taking the tape in 53:50 – the third-fastest time in event history and nearly five minutes ahead of U.S. teammate and five-time TCS New York City Marathon champion Tatyana McFadden, who was second in 58:42. Great Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper finished third in 59:09.
“We had the most amazing weather today,” Scaroni said. “At the end of this race, I thought about how much I love the crowd and how much energy I get from people cheering us on in New York. What a great experience it is to be outside on a perfect day. It brings me a lot of joy.”
In his NYRR racing debut, the Netherlands’ Geert Schipper took the crown in the men’s wheelchair division in 48:43, followed by the United States’ Evan Correll in second in 52:06 and Great Britain’s Johnboy Smith in third in 52:51.
“I didn’t expect that I would have a chance to win, but I’m now kind of emotional in a way. I’m so new to this sport, so it’s great to see that a guy at 46 can win in this strong field.”
This year’s professional athlete field featured 9 Olympians and six Paralympians, and several more athletes who have their eyes on the Paris 2024 Games this summer.
Commissioner’s Cup
Expanded for its second year, the Commissioner’s Cup featured teams from eight partner agencies and the Mayor’s Office in a friendly competition to highlight their decades-long partnership with NYRR. The New York Police Department defended their title, followed by the NYC Department of Transportation in second place and the New York Fire Department in third place. The Commissioners of each agency served as honorary captains, and the top three finishers from each city agency determined the scoring.
“It’s amazing to be on the winning team with the NYPD; these guys and girls work very hard,” said NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella, who finished the race herself. “They are busy keeping New York safe and they’re training at the same time, and that’s not easy to do, so hats off to our Commissioner Cup champions. We’re all partners in this and we’re elated that we get to run with our other city agencies and other partners.”
“New York Road Runners has been an amazing connector of people. They use running, but it’s their spirit and leadership that makes the connection,” NYC Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, who served as the captain of her team. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am for New York Road Runners’ growing presence within our city, not just in our government but in every corner of the five boroughs, bringing people to the magic of running.”
Notable and Inspiring Runners
This year’s race featured a number of notable and inspiring runners, including Grammy-Award winning rapper Lil Nas X, ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee who ran in support of mental health for Still I Run, YouTube sensation Casey Neistat who ran the race alongside MTV Catfish host Nev Schulman, media personalities Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes who completed the race for the third consecutive year, and Kayleigh Williamson, who last November was believed to be the first woman with Down syndrome to run the TCS New York City Marathon.
Times Square Kids Run
Additionally on Sunday, more than a thousand youth finished the Times Square Kids Run, which offered a one-mile out and back course in Times Square as well as short dashes. Participants included members of Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR’s free youth program that serves over 137,000 students nationwide, including nearly 60,000 in New York City.
The United Airlines NYC Half, one of 60 adult and youth races produced annually by NYRR, is the world’s premier half marathon, with an iconic 13.1 mile course that bridges communities, passes historic landmarks, and traverses diverse neighborhoods, all while providing sweeping views of the city on the way to the Central Park finish. The race’s adult and youth courses pass through Times Square—the only time other than New Year’s Eve the crossroads of the world is closed to traffic.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, virtual races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features a wide population of runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.
