Meet a Few of the Pros Racing the United Airlines NYC Half
Every year the United Airlines NYC Half brings a stellar field of professional athletes from around the world to the streets of NYC. Like the rest of us, these world-class athletes are drawn by the chance to test themselves over an iconic course at the start of the spring racing season. This year some are especially eager to make a strong showing as they gear up for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
Read some of their most compelling stories below and check out the full field here.
Susannah Scaroni and Daniel Romanchuk
USA
Who are they? Susannah and Daniel are two of the world’s best wheelchair athletes, with multiple victories at the United Airlines NYC Half and numerous international road races, as well as many Paralympic medals.
What’s their journey? Susannah is the United Airlines NYC Half defending champion; she also won in 2017. A registered dietitian, she was a 2023 NYRR Run for the Future ambassador. Daniel won this race in 2019 and 2022. Both train with the esteemed University of Illinois wheelchair racing program and both have their sights set on the Paralympic Games in Paris this summer.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the wheelchair division at the United Airlines NYC Half.
Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal
Norway
Who is she? A three-time Olympian, Grøvdal has placed third in all three of her United Airlines NYC Half showings—2023, 2022, and 2018.
What’s her journey? Karoline grew up as both a competitive runner and cross-country skier, choosing to focus on the former by the time she reached her teenage years. Naturally, Karoline would love to move up one or two places on the podium on March 17. A victory would be fitting, as she’s often hailed in her home country as “the next Grete Waitz,” the Norwegian marathoner who won nine New York City Marathons.
Cynthia Limo
Kenya
Who is she? Cynthia is best known for winning the silver medal at the 2016 World Half Marathon Championships. Previously in NYC she won the 2016 UAE Healthy Kidney 10K and was sixth at the 2023 Mastercard New York Mini 10K.
What’s her journey? She’s raced competitively since 2009 but took a break starting in 2016 to have three children. Tragically, one of her daughters died before her second birthday. Cynthia suffered from depression and took another extended break, returning to competition last year and finishing first in her marathon debut at the Honolulu Marathon in December.
Zouhair Talbi
Morocco
Who is he? Zouhair won the 2024 Houston Marathon in a course record time, pretty much guaranteeing he’ll be selected to represent Morocco at the Paris Olympics.
What’s his journey? His third-place finish at the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half surprised a lot of people and paved the way for a fifth place at the Boston Marathon. Zouhair immigrated to the U.S. to attend college in Kansas and Oklahoma and now lives in Colorado. Talbi’s wife, Elizabeth Heffernan, is also an avid runner. They both finished first in their respective divisions at the 2023 John Carson 2-Mile Road Race in Massachusetts.
Jenny Simpson
USA
Who is she? An Olympic and World Championship medalist at 1500 meters, Jenny made her half-marathon debut last year and competed at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on February 3, though unfortunately she dropped out due to warm temperatures.
What’s her journey? Jenny is no stranger to racing in NYC, having won the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile eight times. She’s excited to push for a solid performance over 13.1M on the streets of NYC. She was also previously an ambassador and special advisor to Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR’s free youth running program.
Zerei Kbrom
Norway
Who is he? Zerei fled Eritrea as a political refugee and wound up in Norway above the Arctic Circle, where he was unable to train due to the extreme conditions and lack of daylight during the winter months. Now based farther south, in Stavanger, his career has taken off and he has the third-fastest time in the field.
What’s his journey? Zerei is extraordinarily proud of his Norwegian citizenship and passport. He got married last year and his wife gave birth to their son in the fall. He’ll be competing in the Summer Olympics in Paris this year representing Norway.