© New York Road Runners
United Airlines NYC Half: Hellen Obiri dazzles, Adriaan Wildschutt pulls off the surprise in Central Park
Every year, the United Airlines NYC Half is one of the most anticipated races of the early season in the United States. The world’s best runners come to test themselves on one of the most prestigious—and demanding—courses in the city. And the setting is worthy of a movie: crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, running through Times Square with the streets completely closed to traffic, and finishing in Central Park. It is hard to imagine a more iconic race through the streets of New York. For the 2026 edition, more than 30,000 runners took on this spectacular course from Prospect Park to Central Park, setting a participation record. As is often the case in New York, the show unfolded both on the road and in the elite fields. Kenyan star Hellen Obiri set a new course record of 1:06:33, while South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt dominated the men’s race in 59:30.
| Hellen Obiri crushes the field with a course record
In the women’s race, Hellen Obiri once again showed why she is now one of the undisputed queens of road running. The Kenyan, whose résumé is packed with achievements—two New York City Marathon titles, two Boston Marathon victories, an Olympic medal, and two world titles on the track—ran a perfectly controlled race before delivering a decisive move around halfway.
New York has become something of a home turf for her. She won the most recent New York City Marathon last November, becoming the first woman ever to finish that race under 2:20 with her 2:19:51 performance.
In this half marathon, Obiri repeated the formula she knows so well: observe, attack, dominate. At the 10K mark, she changed gears decisively. A sharp, clear surge that nobody could answer. Behind her, 10K world record holder Agnes Ngetich tried to respond but quickly cracked on the demanding course. Sharon Lokedi, her great rival over the past few seasons, gradually worked her way back into contention after a difficult stretch around Times Square. But Obiri was already gone.
She eventually crossed the line in Central Park in 1:06:33, setting a new course record and once again proving her remarkable ability to excel on challenging layouts. In the middle of her build-up for the London Marathon, this performance confirms she is in excellent form and will be a major contender there.
Behind her, Sharon Lokedi was second in 1:07:10, while Britain’s Megan Keith completed the podium in 1:07:13 in her half-marathon debut. American marathon record holder Emily Sisson finished a strong sixth in 1:09:06 and will line up at the Boston Marathon in a few weeks.
“I wanted to stay patient and run my own race,” Obiri said at the finish. “At one point I told myself: I’ve worked for this, I’m ready.”
Women’s Results
1. Hellen Obiri (Kenya) – 1:06:33
2.Sharon Lokedi (Kenya) – 1:07:10
3. Megan Keith (United Kingdom) – 1:07:13
4. Diane Van Es (Netherlands) – 1:08:21
5. Fentaye Belayneh (Ethiopia) – 1:08:22
6. Emily Sisson (United States) – 1:09:06
7. Amanda Vestri (United States) – 1:09:22
8. Annie Frisbie (United States) – 1:09:22
9. Susanna Sullivan (United States) – 1:09:25
10. Emily Venters (United States) – 1:09:38
| Wildschutt surprises everyone in the men’s race
The men’s race was far more tactical. For much of the contest, a large lead group of around ten athletes stayed tightly packed. The 10K split of 27:58 made it clear that nobody really wanted to take major risks too early on such a demanding course.
But as the runners approached Central Park, the race finally came to life. South African national record holder over 5,000m and 10,000m Adriaan Wildschutt decided to make his move. It was a perfectly judged, progressive surge just after 15K. You could feel the masterclass unfolding. No one could follow. Wildschutt flew away over the closing miles and crossed the line in 59:30, winning the race in his first half marathon in New York. A huge run from the athlete who trains in Flagstaff, Arizona, against a truly international elite field.
Recently naturalized American Zouhair Talbi took second in 59:41, confirming that he is one of the strongest U.S. runners right now after his 2:05:43 breakthrough at the Houston Marathon in January, the fourth-fastest American performance in history. Based on these recent results, he will head back to Boston with big ambitions.
Behind him, India’s Gulveer Singh finished third in 59:42. The performance made history, as he became the first Indian athlete ever to break 60 minutes for the half marathon—although the time will not be ratified by World Athletics because the race is a point-to-point course.
Men’s Results
1. Adriaan Wildschutt (South Africa) 59:30
2. Zouhair Talbi (United States) 59:41
3. Gulveer Singh (India) 59:42
4. Alex Maier (États-Unis) 59:51
5. Peter Lynch (Ireland) 59:52
6. Patrick Dever (United Kingdom) 59:56
7. Rory Linkletter (Canada) 1:00:00
8. Patrick Kiprop (Kenya) 1:00:01
9. Joe Klecker (United States) 1:00:02
10. Shunsuke Kuwata (Japan) 1:00:13
| Grant Fisher discovers road racing the hard way
One of the big storylines of this edition was also the presence of Grant Fisher. The American track star, world indoor record holder in the 3,000m and 5,000m, is using a year without a major championship to explore new territory and test his speed on the roads.
For much of the race, Fisher stayed in touch with the leaders. After eight miles, he was still right there in the fight. But the closing stages proved much harder.
His legs stopped responding, and the American had to let the lead pack go. The reality of road racing—and his lack of experience over the distance—caught up with him. He eventually finished 14th in 1:00:53, a respectable performance for a first half marathon, but short of the ambitions of a runner more used to podiums and records.
“I wanted to do better today,” Fisher admitted afterward. “In the last few miles, the legs were gone. When that happens, you can push as hard as you want, but they just don’t respond.”
It was a classic learning experience for a road debut—especially on a course as demanding as New York’s.
| A record edition for the NYC Half
Beyond the elite performances, the 2026 edition will also be remembered for a participation record. With 30,229 finishers, the United Airlines NYC Half became the largest half marathon ever organized by NYRR, and the biggest in the United States.
The elite field matched the scale of the event, featuring 26 Olympians, 16 national record holders, and athletes from 17 countries. Just as striking, 50.55% of all participants were women. That figure confirms the growing momentum of women’s running. The work done by NYRR in inclusion and accessibility is clearly paying off, and race organizers everywhere could learn from this prestigious organization.
The United Airlines NYC Half has become one of the major stops on the international calendar—and an almost essential race for many elites preparing for major spring marathons such as Boston and London. With its spectacular course, unique atmosphere, and elite field worthy of the biggest races in the world, the NYC Half continues to establish itself as one of the most prestigious half marathons on the planet. And just weeks before Boston and London, this 2026 edition has already given a first glimpse of the athletes to watch this spring.
✔ Results of the United Airlines NYC Half 2026
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist