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Swim Strong Foundations : First Half Marathon Team

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Full Race Map for United Airlines Half Marathon 2025
15Mar

Swim Strong Foundations : First Half Marathon Team

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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

Ada's Image: "Runner in white Nike tank top captured mid-run at a race, with other runners visible in the background against a tree-lined path at sunset" Francisco's Image: "Swim coach in grey t-shirt sitting poolside surrounded by young swimmers in purple swim caps and swimsuits, looking at a device" Judy's Image: "Runner in purple event t-shirt and black leggings standing on a city street after a race, with other participants and urban buildings visible in the background" Ruihan's Image: "Runner in black athletic wear standing with arms outstretched on a green hillside, with dramatic snow-capped Alpine mountains in the background" Andrew’s Image: “Man in a dark double-breasted suit and white shirt smiling warmly at the camera, standing against a backdrop of green-lit paneling and marble walls in a professional setting"

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!

Close up of Brooklyn Bridge half way to Manhattan.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

Start Race Map for United Airlines Half Marathon 2025

Two people running on a path in prospect parkA Path is Prospect Park

Flatbush Avenue

Images of building near Flatbush and Atlantic Avenue

Brooklyn Bridge

Many people entering and exiting the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn Side. Manhattan Skyline in the rear.Brooklyn Bridge Image with people walking off.

FDR Drive

FDR coming out from the under the Brooklyn Bridge. A view from an overpass through a gate hole.Close up of FDR near teh Brooklyn Bridge.

42nd Street

Far view of United Nations and many other buildings along the FDR Drive.Image of FDR Drive leading to the United NationsImage of street sign at west 42nd street and fifth avenue. Chrysler Building in the rear.

Times Square

Image of Times Square full of people.

Central Park

Finish Race Map for United Airlines Half Marathon 2025Central Park Image with Towers in the rear.Over View of a corner of 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.

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

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Ada's Image: "Runner in white Nike tank top captured mid-run at a race, with other runners visible in the background against a tree-lined path at sunset" Francisco's Image: "Swim coach in grey t-shirt sitting poolside surrounded by young swimmers in purple swim caps and swimsuits, looking at a device" Judy's Image: "Runner in purple event t-shirt and black leggings standing on a city street after a race, with other participants and urban buildings visible in the background" Ruihan's Image: "Runner in black athletic wear standing with arms outstretched on a green hillside, with dramatic snow-capped Alpine mountains in the background" Andrew’s Image: “Man in a dark double-breasted suit and white shirt smiling warmly at the camera, standing against a backdrop of green-lit paneling and marble walls in a professional setting"
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