Arrival and expo
Wednesday 17 MarchRunners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.
United Airlines NYC Half takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in New York City.
JFK has the AirTrain to the subway and LIRR (45 to 60 minutes to Midtown). LaGuardia has the Q70 bus to the subway. Newark (EWR) has AirTrain to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station in 30 minutes.
Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.
Public transport directions to Start: Prospect Park, Brooklyn; finish: Central Park
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Long Island City and Downtown Brooklyn | One subway stop from Manhattan, cheaper rooms. |
| Mid-range | Midtown West and Chelsea | Walk to Times Square, Broadway and the High Line. |
| Splurge | Central Park South and the Upper East Side | Classic luxury hotels. |
Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 19 to 21 March 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.
Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.
Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.
Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.
Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.
Bethesda Terrace and Strawberry Fields.
| Tour | Length | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt | Half day | Families |
| Central Park bike or pedicab tour | Half day | Tired legs, Families |
| Food tour of Greenwich Village or Chinatown | Half day | Food lovers |
| 9/11 Memorial and Museum | Half day | Bad weather |
| Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO walking tour | Half day | Families |
| Helicopter tour | Half day | Everyone |
| Hudson Valley day trip | Full day | Everyone |
| Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island | Half day | Families |
| Broadway show | Evening | Night owls, Bad weather, Families |
| Harbor sunset cruise | Evening | Tired legs, Night owls |
Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for United Airlines NYC Half.
Plan a group tripThe next edition is 19 to 21 March 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.
JFK has the AirTrain to the subway and LIRR (45 to 60 minutes to Midtown). LaGuardia has the Q70 bus to the subway. Newark (EWR) has AirTrain to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station in 30 minutes. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.
For most visitors the best base is Midtown West and Chelsea: Walk to Times Square, Broadway and the High Line.
Good short outings in New York City include Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt, Central Park bike or pedicab tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.
Family-friendly picks: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Broadway show, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt. American Museum of Natural History.
About 7 km in a straight line. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.