Swim Strong Foundations : First Half Marathon Team
Marathon Weekend
Our Runners
This year marks Swim Strong’s first time participating in this iconic race, and we couldn’t be prouder of our five incredible runners: Francisco, Ada, Ruihan, Judy, and Andrew. Each of them has a personal connection to our mission of water safety education and drowning prevention
Race Course
This year’s half marathon is especially exciting because runners will cross the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in NYRR race history!
The 13.1-mile course takes runners from Prospect Park through Brooklyn, over the Brooklyn Bridge, along the FDR Drive, through Times Square, and finishes in beautiful Central Park.
Prospect Park
Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn Bridge
FDR Drive
42nd Street
Times Square
Central Park
Swim Strong’s Mission
Since 2007, Swim Strong has provided over 11,000 people with life-saving swim lessons and delivered more than $2 million in free instruction to underserved communities. As our founder says, ‘When you financially support our mission, we are able to expand our reach.’ In fact, we started 2024 providing 42% free programming and ended the year at 61%! Every dollar raised by our runners directly supports these critical programs.
Please help our team reach their fundraising goals! As our founder emphasizes, ‘EVERY donation is meaningful!’ You can support a specific runner through this post (Runners Who Make a Splash) or donate directly at SwimStrongFoundation.org/donate with the note ‘UANYCH’ to help us track the campaign. Your contribution directly funds our scholarship program, ensuring more families in need receive free swim lessons.
Where to Watch
Want to cheer them on? You can watch the race live on WABC-TV Channel 7 from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., or stream it on ESPN+ and abc7ny.com starting at 7:00 a.m. on race day.
- WABC-TV Channel 7: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- ESPN+ & abc7ny.com: Starting at 7:00 a.m.
Image Citations
Brooklyn Bridge
Enrique. “People Walking at the Brooklyn Bridge.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-at-the-brooklyn-bridge-12172750/.
Valentine, Sean. “Man Running on the Bridge.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-running-on-the-bridge-3289561/.
Dominici, Jerome. “Gray Bridge.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-bridge-297303/.
FDR Drive
Hou, David. “Sign.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/sign-28254635/.
Mendiola, Gonzalo. “View of the FDR Drive and Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, New York, USA.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/view-of-the-fdr-drive-and-brooklyn-bridge-in-new-york-city-new-york-usa-18678733/.
Celep, Etkin. “Aerial Photography of Cars on Road.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-photography-of-cars-on-road-12765771/.
Fütterer, Lena Christina. “City Buildings Under Gray Sky.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/city-buildings-under-gray-sky-14070275/.
42nd Street
Parker, Charles. “Sign Showing Direction on City Street.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/sign-showing-direction-on-city-street-5845730/.
Parker, Charles. “Signpost with Traffic Light on Street.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/signpost-with-traffic-light-on-street-5845736/.
Tolentino, Martii. “Street Sign in City.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/street-sign-in-city-18529791/.
Times Square
Popa, Vlad Alexandru. “People Across on Intersection.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-across-on-intersection-1486222/.
Central Park
Parker, Charles. “Central Park with Skyscrapers in New York City.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/central-park-with-skyscrapers-in-new-york-city-5847354/.
Wave, Marta. “City Park in Sunny Day.” Photograph. Pexels. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.pexels.com/photo/city-park-in-sunny-day-5876745/.
Additional Resources
Course Map and Logo sourced from New York Road Runners official website: https://www.nyrr.org/races/2025unitedairlinesnychalf