2021 Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Guide
Wherever you are in the world, show the spirit of a New Yorker—strong, tough, and resilient. Take on the Virtual United Airlines NYC Half anywhere, anytime between March 20 and March 28.
We've put together a collection of inspirational and informational content for you to prepare for your virtual 13.1, from blog stories about runners to apps with more tips and resources for reaching your virtual finish line.
Not registered yet? There are three available ways to participate in the third-annual Virtual United Airlines NYC Half. Learn more about each of the tiers below.
Apps for Your Phone
Strava*Required for Runners*
To participate in the race, you will need to upload a 13.1-mile GPS activity to your Strava account. Run with any Strava-compatible tracking device or use the Strava app. Learn more about how to complete your run on Strava.
Download
Virtual United Airlines NYC Half App, Powered by Tata Consultancy Services
Listen to special race-day sound effects, download the race toolkit, access customizable selfie frames, and celebrate your finish with the Re-Play This Run and augmented reality medal photo features.
Download
Race-Week Programming
We have put together an incredible line-up of chats with NYRR coaches and partners to get you ready, celebrate, and recover from your Virtual United Airlines NYC Half. All chats will be streaming on the United Airlines NYC Half Facebook page.
Thursday, March 18: Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Race Strategy with NYRR Members
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Pre-Register
Monday, March 22: How to Build Your Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Course
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Pre-Register
Tuesday, March 23: Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Recovery Tips Presented by HSS
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Pre-Register
Thursday, March 25: How to Pace Your Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Presented by Biofreeze
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Pre-Register
Friday, March 26: Inspiring Runners of the Virtual United Airlines NYC Half
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Pre-Register
Monday, March 29: Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Finisher Results Wall (Live)
12:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Pre-Register
Tuesday, March 30: You Just Ran 13.1 Miles—Now What? Presented by HSS
12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Pre-Register
Virtual Goody Bag
You’re invited to access your 2021 Virtual United Airlines NYC Half Powered by Strava virtual goody bag, full of great deals and special offers from our partners exclusive to our runners.
Rising New York Road Runners: Virtual United Airlines Times Square Youth Run
Young runners can still experience the race day excitement through the Virtual United Airlines Times Square Youth Run. While we're not able to provide kids with the experience of running through Times Square side-by-side with the pros, pro wheelchair athlete Daniel Romanchuk will provide some pre-race motivation before your kids take off on their 1-mile, 1.5-mile, or 5K walk or run.
Register to Run
The 2021 Virtual United Airlines NYC Half offers four tiers for entry, three of which are still open for registration. Learn more about each tier:
Run to Fundraise for NYRR Team for Kids
Run for the Medal
Run for the Love of Running
Run to Gain Guaranteed Entry (sold out)
- Entry: $80 NYRR members | $100 non-members
- Additional requirements: Fundraise $500
- Spots: Limited Capacity | First come, first served
Run to Fundraise for NYRR Team for Kids
Funds raised by NYRR Team for Kids members support Rising New York Road Runners. Through school-and community-based programs, youth events, and a collection of digital resources, Rising New York Road Runners brings free running and fitness programs to students across the country.
Registrants receive:
- Complimentary access to the NYRR Team for Kids Coaching Lab Essentials to train for the 2021 Virtual United Airlines NYC Half1
- NYRR Team for Kids singlet and backpack
- 60-day Strava subscription2
Finishers3 receive:
- Guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the 2022 United Airlines NYC Half
- Finisher package (including a medal and products4 from NYRR partners) shipped to your door anywhere in the world
- Strava digital finisher badge
- Discount on a purchase or lease of a brand-new Volvo. Visit Volvo Cars Running Club to learn more.
Register Now
Run for the Medal
- Entry: $50 NYRR members | $60 non-members
- Spots: Unlimited
Registrants receive:
- $20 off NYRR Coaching Lab Essentials or NYRR Coaching Lab Teams to train for the 2021 Virtual United Airlines NYC Half1
- 60-day Strava subscription2
Finishers5 receive:
- Finisher package (including a medal and products4 from NYRR partners) shipped to your door anywhere in the world
- Strava digital finisher badge
- Discount on a purchase or lease of a brand-new Volvo. Visit Volvo Cars Running Club to learn more.
- An opportunity to win a guaranteed, non-complimentary race entry to the 2022 United Airlines NYC Half plus a roundtrip ticket on United Airlines to NYC for the race. View the official sweepstakes rule.
Register Now
Run for the Love of Running
- Entry: Free
- Spots: Unlimited
Registrants receive:
- $5 off NYRR Coaching Lab Essentials or NYRR Coaching Lab Teams to train for the 2021 Virtual United Airlines NYC Half1
- 30-day Strava subscription2
Finishers5 receive:
- Strava digital finisher badge
- Discount on a purchase or lease of a brand-new Volvo. Visit Volvo Cars Running Club to learn more.
- An opportunity to win a guaranteed, non-complimentary race entry to the 2022 United Airlines NYC Half plus a roundtrip ticket on United Airlines to NYC for the race. View the official sweepstakes rule.
Register Now
Run to Gain Guaranteed Entry
- Entry: $80 NYRR members | $100 non-members
- Spots: Limited Capacity | First come, first served
Registrants receive:
- Complimentary access to NYRR Coaching Lab Essentials or $45 off NYRR Coaching Lab Teams to train for the 2021 Virtual United Airlines NYC Half1
- 60-day Strava subscription2
Finishers3 receive:
- Guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the 2022 United Airlines NYC Half
- Finisher package (including a medal and products4 from NYRR partners) shipped to your door anywhere in the world
- Strava digital finisher badge
- Discount on a purchase or lease of a brand-new Volvo. Visit Volvo Cars Running Club to learn more.
Sold Out
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about how to complete your Virtual United Airlines NYC Half? Visit our FAQ page for more information, or watch this video to learn more about how to complete a virtual race.
The Virtual United Airlines NYC Half is part of NYRR Volvo Cars Virtual Racing Powered by Strava. A virtual race is a race that can be run at your convenience during a specified period of time. To participate in NYRR Volvo Cars Virtual Racing Powered by Strava, create your free Strava account, sign up for a race, and run or walk the distance of the race on a course you select wherever you are.
1 Registration for NYRR Coaching Lab opened January 7.
2 Runners who previously had or currently have a Strava subscription cannot redeem a 30- or 60-day trial. Runners cannot redeem a Strava subscription trial more than once on their account. Learn more on Strava's web site.
3 For this tier, runners must complete the full 13.1-mile distance in a single run activity in under 3 hours and 45 minutes (roughly 17:00-per-mile pace).
4 Will vary depending on location.
5 There is no time limit for this tier, but runners must complete the full 13.1-mile distance in a single run activity.