The NYC Half Marathon 2026 is one of the most iconic races in the world. Thousands of runners will line up to take on 13.1 miles through the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn. But what if your miles could mean something beyond a personal record?
That is what Team Friendship is all about.
What Is the NYC Half Marathon 2026?
The United Airlines NYC Half Marathon is held every spring in New York City. The course takes runners from Prospect Park through Brooklyn, across the Manhattan Bridge, through the streets of Lower Manhattan, and finishes in Central Park. It is fast, it is iconic, and it sells out every year.
For 2026, the race is expected to draw over 25,000 participants. Whether you are a first-time half marathoner or a seasoned runner, the NYC Half is a bucket-list event.
Why Run the NYC Half Marathon With Team Friendship?
Team Friendship is the adventure fundraising program of Friendship Circle International. We take runners, hikers, and cyclists and give them something bigger to chase: a world where people with special needs have real friendships, real inclusion, and real community.
When you run the NYC Half Marathon 2026 with Team Friendship, you are not just running. You are raising funds that directly support programs connecting teen volunteers with individuals who have special needs. Every dollar you raise creates friendships that change lives.
What You Get When You Join Team Friendship
We do not just hand you a bib and wish you luck. Team Friendship gives you everything you need to cross that finish line and hit your fundraising goals.
Race entry. We handle registration so you do not have to worry about the lottery.
Training support. Access to training plans and guidance so you show up on race day ready.
Fundraising tools. A personal fundraising page, email templates, social media assets, and a team behind you helping you reach your goal.
Community. You join a team of people who believe that running can change the world. Race day is electric when you have your crew at the finish line.
More Than a Race
Past Team Friendship runners talk about crossing the finish line and feeling something they did not expect. It is not just the runner high. It is knowing that every step carried weight. That the miles mattered to someone beyond themselves.
One runner put it simply: “I have run six half marathons. This was the first one where I cried at the finish. Not from pain. From purpose.”
That is the Team Friendship difference.
Sign Up for the NYC Half Marathon 2026
If you are ready to run the NYC Half Marathon 2026 with a team that turns miles into meaning, we want you.
Visit our NYC Half Marathon 2026 page to sign up, learn more about the mission, and claim your spot on the team. Spots are limited. Your miles are not.
You can run the NYC Half Marathon 2026 through Team Friendship, Friendship Circle’s charity running program. Team Friendship offers guaranteed charity bibs with fundraising support, team training community, and the opportunity to run for a meaningful cause.
Charity runners in the NYC Half Marathon typically raise between $1,500 and $3,000 depending on the charity. Team Friendship provides fundraising tools, coaching, and community support to help participants meet their goals.
Anyone committed to raising the fundraising minimum qualifies for a charity bib. Team Friendship welcomes runners of all paces and experience levels, from first-timers to seasoned marathoners.
Funds raised through Team Friendship’s NYC Half Marathon program support Friendship Circle’s special needs programs, including weekly volunteer visits, inclusive events, and online programming for individuals with disabilities.
The 2026 NYC Half Marathon is held in spring. Visit the Team Friendship page at friendshipcircle.com/team-friendship for current dates and registration details.