Running News Daily

The roads of New York City are about to welcome a familiar name—this time from a new angle.

American distance star Grant Fisher is set to make his half marathon debut at the iconic 2026 United Airlines NYC Half, marking a major milestone in one of the most impressive careers of modern U.S. distance running. The race will take place on March 15, 2026, through the heart of New York City, a place that has already played host to some of Fisher’s greatest moments on the track.

For Fisher, this is more than just another race. It is his first professional road appearance, a deliberate and bold step beyond the oval and into the unpredictable rhythm of the streets.

The two-time Olympic bronze medalist has never shied away from challenge. Speaking about the move, Fisher emphasized his desire to explore new limits—drawn by curiosity, ambition, and the unique energy of New York. After rewriting record books on the track in the city, he now looks forward to seeing it from a completely different perspective, chasing possibility over 21.1 kilometers of asphalt.

That curiosity is backed by extraordinary credentials.

On the track, Fisher has built a résumé few can rival. He owns multiple American records, including the outdoor 10,000 meters (26:33.84) and 3,000 meters (7:25.47), and has proven equally dominant indoors with world records in the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters. His range—from the mile to the longest track distances—speaks to rare versatility, efficiency, and tactical intelligence.

At the global level, Fisher has delivered when it matters most. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, he claimed bronze medals in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, confirming his status among the world’s elite. Earlier Olympic and World Championship appearances laid the foundation; Paris cemented the legacy.

Now, the half marathon presents a different kind of test.

Unlike the controlled environment of the track, the roads demand patience, adaptability, and rhythm over time. Pace judgment replaces lap counting. Strategy stretches over kilometers, not seconds. For an athlete known for precision and strength in the closing stages of races, the question is not whether Fisher belongs—but how far his talent can travel.

The United Airlines NYC Half offers the perfect stage. Fast, competitive, and electric with atmosphere, it has launched and reshaped road careers before. For Fisher, it represents the opening chapter of a new narrative—one that bridges elite track dominance with long-distance road ambition.

From American record-holder to Olympic medalist.

From stadium lights to city streets.

A new distance. A familiar hunger.

On March 15, 2026, Grant Fisher doesn’t just race New York—he begins his road story.