“2025 United Airlines NYC Half”
Official Charity Partnership
The Chinese FreeMasons Athletic Club is proud to announce our Official Charity Partnership for the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon through New York Road Runners. We have been allocated 5 guaranteed entries as a Community Level partner for runners who fundraise $1,000 to support the CFMAC mission. The 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Did you know that the NYC Half is the only race to come across the Manhattan Bridge into Chinatown and then up through Times Square!?
Please see our about us and programs sections of the website to learn more about what we do. As we prepare for Chinese New Year festivities, our Runner will have the opportunity to attend and participate in one of our Lion Dance practice sessions. Runners are also encourage to join us in our Chinese New Year Parade on 1/29/25 and Super Saturday Parade on 2/8/25 throughout Chinatown!
If you are ready to fundraise and run, click the sign up button and tell us what running means to you! Entries will be given out on a first come first serve basis.
*Runners are still responsible for their own registration fee for the race through NYRR:
$160 for non NYRR members / $135 for NYRR members
All bibs are taken and any additional requests will be waitlisted.
Meet the Runners!
Elisa Liu
Hello and welcome to my first half marathon journey! My name is Elisa Liu. For those who know me, you probably know that running—and any form of cardio—was never my go-to exercise. I used to think people who ran for fun were a little crazy, simply because I couldn’t imagine enjoying it myself. But everything changed at the beginning of 2024, when I was recovering from an upper back injury that limited my ability to do heavy lifting. The injury left me feeling weak and sluggish, and I knew I needed a change. The reason I never liked cardio was simple: I didn’t have the endurance. I wasn’t sure if it was due to lack of training or possibly a heart condition I may have inherited from my mother. But this sparked something in me—a desire to test my limits and push myself to try something new for my health and well-being. So, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and at least start by joining my friends at run clubs. Worst case scenario, I’d confirm that I hated running, right? To my surprise, I actually really enjoyed it. I experienced the "runner’s high" and found myself wanting to run more. What really hooked me, though, was my friend Leland Yu’s run club, Run for Chinatown. Run for Chinatown came together during the COVID-19 pandemic to raise awareness and provide economic support for the Asian community in New York City’s Chinatown. To date, it has raised over $141,000 for the community. I am so proud to say that Leland spearheaded all of this from a simple idea rooted in running.
Chinatown is where my family, friends, and I grew up—a place we all still call home, even if we’ve since moved away. It’s in these very streets where I became closely connected with the charity I’m supporting: the New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club (CFMAC). CFMAC isn’t just about teaching lion dance and martial arts to younger generations; it’s a community-driven organization that celebrates and passes down culture across generations. I was a part of CFMAC in my youth, learning lion dance and martial arts as a teenager. Today, I’m running to raise awareness for this incredible community, and your contributions will directly support the club I grew up with and consider family. Thank you in advance for any support you can offer. If you can make a donation to help me reach my fundraising goals, I would be deeply grateful. If not, please cheer me on at the race or virtually by following my journey to the finish line! And even if you can’t donate, you can help by simply sharing my story.
Fundraising Link: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/elisa-liu
Amy Liu
Hi everyone,
My name is Amy Liu, and I'm thrilled to be running the NYC Half to support the Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club (CFMAC)!
By day, I work as a medical assistant in the heart of Chinatown, where I'm reminded daily of the strength and unity that defines this community. Yet, I've also seen how challenges, from cultural shifts to impacts of the pandemic, have affected the well-being and morale of its residents.
I've noticed a strong, tight-knit support system among the elderly in Chinatown. However, I've also noticed a growing disconnect from these traditions among younger generations. It reminded me of how vital it is to preserve and pass on traditions.
This is why I'm inspired to support Chinatown through initiatives like those led by CFMAC. The club is a cornerstone of this effort, fostering community through martial arts and lion dances-- symbols of culture and celebration. Their work keeps Chinatown's traditions alive and inspires younger generations to embrace their roots.
By running this race, I aim to raise both awareness and funds for CFMAC, so they can continue their work for the Chinatown community. Your contribution will directly support CFMAC programs that promote physical health, cultural pride, and community engagement.
Thank you for your support-- whether it's through a donation, sharing this page, or cheering me on as I run!
With gratitude,
Amy Liu
Fundraising Link: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/amy-liu
Jacky Xu
Hey Everyone!
My name is Jacky Xu, and I’m running the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon in support of the Chinese FreeMasons Athletic Club (CFMAC)—a group dedicated to preserving Chinatown’s cultural traditions and strengthening its community through martial arts, Lion Dance, and youth mentorship programs.
Chinatown has always played a special part in my life—it’s where I spent weekends powering through SAT prep, fueled by $1 Dan Tats and a lot of wishful thinking. After school, instead of doing homework, I’d go straight to Columbus Park to play basketball, facing some of the toughest competition around. These experiences helped shape who I am today and created memories I’ll always be grateful for.
As the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, I know how much work it takes to build something meaningful. While my team focuses on keeping homes and businesses spotless, CFMAC works just as hard to preserve cultural traditions, mentor young people, and strengthen the Chinatown community.
I’m running this race to give back to a place that’s played an important role in my life. My goal is to raise $1,000 to support CFMAC. Every donation—big or small—helps keep Chinatown’s legacy alive for future generations.
Thank you for supporting me—whether by donating, sharing this page, or cheering me on!
Fundraising Link: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/jacky-xu