FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NYC Half-Marathon to Offer $100,000, Richest Half-Marathon
Prize Purse in the United States
Champions' checks of $20,000 announced
New spring date set for Sunday, March 21
New York, January 12, 2010—The largest half-marathon prize purse in the
United States—$100,000—and a new spring date of Sunday, March 21, for the
fifth annual NYC Half-Marathon were announced today by New York Road
Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg. The men's and women's champions
will each earn $20,000, the largest first-prize checks for a non-marathon
race in the country.
"The aim has always been for the NYC Half-Marathon to serve as a
counterpart to the ING New York City Marathon and for New York to host the
two greatest road races in the world," said Wittenberg. "This move to the
spring and increase in prize money are important next steps in that
direction".
A sold-out field of about 10,000 finishers is expected for the first-ever
spring edition of the popular 13.1-mile race. The previous four editions
have been held in July and August.
NYC Half-Marathon continues to attract leading professional athletes and
recreational runners from around the world. In 2009, more than 19,000
people applied to run the race, and more than 10,000 finished.
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.
The online lottery application for the NYC Half-Marathon is now closed.
Runners who wish to receive guaranteed entry by running for charity or with
an official travel party can still do so.
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 nearly 100,000 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.
###
|
