L-R: Susannah Scaroni, Molly Huddle, Rob Simmelkjaer, Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei, Ted Metellus (l-r) (Photo by Carla Torres for New York Road Runners.) Cheptegei and Kiplimo arrived in New York City to acclimatize to the very cold weather conditions prior to the half marathon on Sunday

Overview:

The organizers are offering a $120,000 prize money purse for the 2023 United Airlines New York City Half Marathon. $20,000 will be paid to the winners in the open male and female categories.

  • 16th United Airlines New York City Half Marathon:
  • Sunday, March 19, 2023 (2 PM)

Uganda’s two prized long distance runners Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo will renew their friendly rivalry during the 16th edition of the United Airlines New York city half marathon under the cold.

This is the first time ever that these two Ugandans are taking part in the New York city half marathon due this Sunday, March 19, 2023 (2 PM, East African time).

Joshua Cheptegei

Chepetgei, 26, is the Olympic and world champion on the track with the 5000m and 10,000m records.

He also owns the Tokyo Olympic gold medal in the 5000m (12:58:15) and three world records over 5000m, 10,000m AND 15 Km.

“I am very excited for my first race in New York city. I would give everything to win. But you never know what goes in the race” Chepetegi remarked as quoted by Wace results weekly.

His first half marathon in the year was the victory in Gdynia (59:21).

“I am happy to be competing together with Joshua. We are going to try our best, I am going to try my best. I saw on the TV that some is a little bit tough I think it will be very difficult, but actually for me it’s not so difficult because we’ll just be running up and down. It is also the same as World Cross country” Kiplimo, 22, the record holder for the half marathon stated.

Jacob Kiplimo

Both runners have recovered well since their race in Bathurst, Australia.

They face serious competition from Kennedy Kimutai, Galen Rupp, among others

The opening nine kilometers feature several significant hills including a steep climb up the Manhatten Bridge where the runners cross from Brooklyn to Manhatten.

Prize money:

The organizers are offering a $120,000 prize money purse for Sunday’s race.

$20,000 will be paid to the winners in the open male and female categories.

Wheel chair winners will receive $4000 as the NYR members in the male, female and non-binary categories will take $1500 for each category winner.

The 2023 United New York City Half marathon is arguably America’s largest half-marathon with about 25,000 runners.

David Isabirye is a senior staff writer for Kawowo Sports where he covers most of the major events.

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