New York Road Runners expands Commissioner’s Cup

New York Road Runners will hold its annual half marathon on Sunday and again feature the Commissioner's Cup, now in its second year. The latest race for the cup, however, will expand with more representation from the public sector.

In addition to 2023’s competitors, the New York police and fire departments, the race this year will include runners from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Parks, Sanitation, Transportation, Environmental Protection, Office of the Mayor and Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

“Last year, it was just NYPD and FDNY and talking to the team we were like, okay, it can't be the Commissioner's Cup and not have other agencies involved and connected,” said Ted Metellus, senior vice president of events and race director for NYRR at a Commissioner's cup presser in Times Square Thursday. “What's really cool is the people that helped the city run are now going to be running in the city.”

NYRR was founded in 1958 by Ted Corbitt, an olympic runner known as “the father of American long distance running.” Since 2006, the nonprofit  has raised $460 million and supported running programs for all ages throughout the five boroughs. Rob Simmelkjaer has served as CEO since 2022. 

The half marathon this year will host 25,000 runners from around the world. Among them are nine olympians, six paralympians, and several professional athletes. “This race truly spotlights what makes New York City so special,” said Simmelkjaer.

The race starts in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and ends in Central Park, totalling thirteen miles. Last year, the Police Department ran against the Fire Deparment to take home the cup. New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella was confident the force would once again cross the finish line first. 

“We're going to win this year,” said Kinsella, who is running in the race this year with her fellow NYPD running team members. “This is probably my favorite race to run besides the New York City Marathon. It’s taking a tour of your city,” she said. There will be 150 NYPD runners this year. 

Each New York agency will commission individuals who will serve as “honorary captains.” The top three finishers from each agency will determine the score. A trophy ceremony will follow the marathon to award the winner.