New York, October 8, 2025 – New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon, will host more than 9,500 runners Sunday, Oct. 12, at the sold-out NYRR Staten Island Half, its premier event in the borough.

The NYRR Staten Island Half is the sixth and final event in New York Road Runners’ Five Borough Series—a showcase of the organization’s commitment to the individuals and communities in each borough with borough-specific races that also include the NYRR Manhattan 10K in February, the United Airlines NYC Half in March, the RBC Brooklyn Half in May, the Citizens Queens 10K in June, and the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile in September. The race is also the last opportunity for runners to complete this year’s 4 Out of 6 Program which qualifies them for guaranteed entry into the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half in March. It takes place just three weeks before the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 2, which famously starts on Staten Island’s Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and is the last New York Road Runners race until the weekend of the Marathon.

"The NYRR Staten Island Half is the perfect opportunity to explore what Staten Island has to offer and celebrate New York Road Runners’ ongoing presence in the borough," said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners. "In three weeks, many of these runners will be getting back on the ferry to line up for the iconic TCS New York City Marathon start at the base of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, so this is a chance to build that excitement and get athletes into the race-day mindset."

Highlighting the beauty and energy of the city’s “greenest borough,” the course passes by several of the island’s 170 parks, as well as the historic Fort Wadsworth, and showcases panoramic views of New York Harbor.

Notable and Inspiring Runners

This year’s race will feature several notable, inspiring, and local Staten Island runners, including:

• Vinny Guadagnino: Television personality best known for MTV's “Jersey Shore,” Vinny is originally from Staten Island and is returning to his home borough to run the NYRR Staten Island Half for the second year in a row. He will be running alongside friend and internet personality Caleb Simpson, who is known for his viral New York City apartment tours.
• Members of the TCS New York City Marathon Team Inspire a group of 26 marathon runners with some of the most compelling, moving, and inspiring stories:
• Karen Bdera (64, Queens, N.Y.): First started running in 1984 after she saw a bus sign saying, "Who says women can’t run the world" and has since completed more than 700 NYRR races. This year will mark Karen's 25th TCS New York City Marathon.
• Relly Ladner (25, New York, N.Y.): Became paralyzed from the waist down and was told she might never walk again after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome in high school, but defied the odds and is now training for her first marathon.
• Salvador Raffucci (72, Brooklyn, N.Y.): A member of New York Road Runners’ Striders walking and fitness program for older adults who uses running to maintain his sobriety in recovery.
• Yelena Shtyrkalo (39, Brooklyn, N.Y.): A district coordinator for public middle schools in Brooklyn that are part of the Rising New York Road Runners Middle School Expansion Initiative to increase access to running.
• Lisa Swan (58, Staten Island, N.Y.): Took up running to lose weight in 2013, which completely transformed her life. She's since lost more than 50 pounds and has run 640+ races. She is a member of the Staten Island Athletic Club and a participant of the NYRR Race Free program.

Rising New York Road Runners at the Staten Island Half

New York Road Runners will also welcome youth participants ages 2 to 11 to take part in Rising NYRR races and dashes at the NYRR Staten Island Half. The event, in its second year, is one of more than 20 free youth events the nonprofit hosts throughout the year, offering fun and rewarding experiences that encourage kids to be physically active and build their confidence to cross any finish line. Rising NYRR serves more than 200,000 students nationwide, including more than 100,000 students in New York City.

New York Road Runners’ Year-Round Impact in Staten Island

In addition to the NYRR Staten Island Half and the TCS New York City Marathon’s start on Staten Island, New York Road Runners offers year-round programming and free opportunities to be active in the borough, including:

• NYRR Open Run: Free, weekly community-led runs hosted hosted at Conference House Park in Staten Island that are regularly attended by more than 50 community members of all ages, abilities, and experience levels
• Rising New York Road Runners:Free running-based youth program that helps more than 4,800 students from Staten Island build the skills, confidence, and desire to be physically active for life.
• NYRR Striders: Free walking and fitness program that helps more than 70 Staten Island-based older adults lead a more active life and meet new people in their community across sites at Anderson Neighborhood Senior Center and West Brighton Neighborhood Senior Center.
• NYRR Race Free: Provides race fee assistance and training to those who financially qualify to make running more accessible for 1,000 participants, including more than 20 Staten Island residents, with complimentary race entries to events like the NYRR Staten Island Half and the TCS New York City Marathon.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.