Trying or a Fall half marathon to check your self? Probably snag that new private greatest. Excellent news, we’re going to assist slim down the listing of potentialities!
The US has two large race seasons, spring and Fall. The Chicago Marathon and NYC marathon get plenty of the eye within the Fall, however oh boy are there another tremendous enjoyable race experiences available.
Late September till Thanksgiving, means a lot of the US having fun with brisk, gentle climate and the timber placing on their attractive autumn foliage, which all makes for a implausible race day.
Do you know the right race temp is definitely round 40 levels?? That’s proper, you’ll be capable of run sooner with out your HR creeping up so shortly.
11 Fall US Half Marathons to Attempt
A few of these are greater races, some are smaller, however we expect all are going to offer you one thing your on the lookout for. Perhaps you wish to head out for the quickest potential course or perhaps you simply wish to have a blast with your folks.
Have a look and tell us if there’s a race that must be added!
1. Beat the Blerch
Date: September 6, 2025
Location: Carnation, WA
Sort: Loop
Profile: Uphill/Downhill
Boston Qualifier: Sure
This race was began by satire website The Oatmeal in 2014, and whereas encouraging working, it additionally encourages consuming cake, constructing burritos out of donuts, and stopping to take a nap if you have to.
And get this – the slower you’re, the tougher folks will clap.
The course is a gravel path that winds by evergreen, mossy forests on the Snoqualmie Valley Path, and regardless of the lighthearted nature of the occasion, is a ravishing out-and-back run.
Right here’s what racer nikkiwheelwright needed to say about her expertise there:
Probably my favourite race so far! The comedian e book behind this race is hilarious, so I’ve been eager to run on this race since 2014! And it lived as much as ALL the hype!!
There was an enormous quantity of meals earlier than the race even began (burrito-donut bar, anybody?)
The race was alongside a path and within the woods, we ran alongside a river and over a bridge, it’s a extremely nice location!! The paths are tremendous vast too, so no points bumping into folks (that they had wave begins with like a minute in-between waves, to unfold folks out initially, tremendous sensible!).
There have been folks dressed up alongside the path, with a fats cherub (blerch!) Providing folks rides in a bit chariot!
There have been couches in the course of the woods and indicators to “take a relaxation, you deserve it” …. and cake on the assist stations.
It was wonderful! I appreciated each element this race put into making it nice. It was nice.
And regardless of having to run at a slight uphill for miles and miles…. after midway, we bought to run downhill!! (Out and again course).
All of the racers had been in such good moods, even the quick people who find themselves normally so critical at races!
2. Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon
Date: September 14, 2025
Location: Camp Lejeune, NC
Sort: Loop
Profile: Principally flat
Boston Qualifier: No
In the event you’ve ever needed to take a look at a Marine Corps base with out, you understand, becoming a member of the Marines, then that is the race for you.
Along with exhibiting off Camp Lejeune, North Carolina exhibits off extra of her scenic magnificence alongside the best way. This consists of the New River, Morgan and Farnell Bay, and the Paradise Level Golf Course, the place you possibly can see the Heroes Mile for your self.
You’ll additionally go by some quaint neighborhood communities.
Runner gsnow96 thinks it’s value doing many times:
This can be a difficult race because it’s in mid-September which suggests humidity and warmth.
The course is comparatively flat and scenic as you run by Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base.
The memorial mile honoring fallen Marines is at all times shifting.
Positively advocate this race. This was my second time working this one and it’s nonetheless my PR race for half marathon distance.
3. Boulderthon
Date: September 28, 2025
Location: Boulder, CO
Sort: Loop
Profile: Hilly
Boston Qualifier: Sure
This race is persistently ranked within the prime 5 half marathons in the USA, and nobody can argue that Boulder isn’t the right backdrop to absolutely anything you’d wish to do.
It begins downtown and runs by city in addition to the Flatirons foothills, earlier than bringing you again to a one-of-a-kind end on the historic Pearl Avenue Mall.
Boulder is named the happiest (300 days of sunshine yearly) and fittest metropolis in America, and after conquering this fairly robust course, you’ll be feeling each of these issues, too.
Right here’s what first-timer Leah H. needed to say concerning the race:
I beloved this race the views had been spectacular. It glided by fast as a result of I used to be simply staring on the view.
There’s some good dimension hills and assist stations each 2 -3 miles.There’s crowd help in some areas which was good however general not a ton of it.
The expo was large and outside which I beloved.
I’d undoubtedly advocate this race.
4. Lifetime Chicago Half Marathon
Date: September 28, 2025
Location: Chicago, IL
Sort: Loop
Profile: Flat
Boston Qualifier: Sure
Most runners love racing in Chicago as a result of it’s flat and quick! The town is very happy to offer them ample alternatives to take action.
That is town’s most established half marathon, and you may make a complete weekend of it with the Pre-Race Social gathering. The reside music, meals, and leisure will propel you to the beginning line on Lake Shore Drive (reserved only for you!), and carry you thru the historic Southside.
A child-friendly race runs alongside this one, making this race an ideal factor to mix with a weekend getaway to town.
Right here’s what joyruns needed to say about her expertise, which she will certainly repeat:
Expo: Race shirt is lengthy sleeves, reusable bag with sun shades, Gatorade 10pk, rain poncho, protein shake combine and cowbell in it.
Individuals had been bused to the beginning of the race (which was 7.5 miles out), the shuttle picked runners up in Belmont or Millenium Park.
Ample water station all through the course with each water and Gatorade.
Crowd help on the freeway, it was an out and again FLAT course.
Submit-race meals (water, Gatorade, pizza, bananas and chips). A HUGE finisher medal. I extremely advocate this race.
5. Queen Bee Half Marathon
Date: October 11, 2025
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Sort: Level-to-Level
Profile: Flat
Boston Qualifier: Sure
This women-only half marathon was created to advertise health and lift funds for native women-focused charities. The weekend will probably be an ideal one to spend together with your women; together with the race, there’s loads of pampering and swag to be discovered.
The course winds by Cincinnati’s historic and scenic neighborhoods, and the sidewalks will probably be bopping with leisure and distinctive refreshment zones tailor-made to the occasion.
The after celebration is simply as cool, with goodies and massages ready for you on the end line!
Right here’s what runner DianaFazio needed to say about her expertise:
I like this race for ladies.
That is my third time working the Queen Bee and I plan to run it yearly. It’s considered one of my favorites.
It is extremely nicely organized, has nice help alongside all the route and the after celebration is fabulous. Nice foods and drinks and Sunflowers.
The Snout and Stinger medal is an added bonus.
6. Las Vegas Half Marathon
Date: October 12, 2025
Location: Henderson, NV
Sort: Loop
Profile: Principally Flat
Boston Qualifier: Sure
This race kicks off on the luxurious resort M Resort Spa On line casino, and follows a principally flat bike path course with a couple of small hills. The spectators are enthusiastic and the race organizers are conscious about how the presence of the race impacts the setting.
The climate in Vegas within the fall is often good for working, and while you cross the end line, a plate of free avenue tacos and beer will probably be ready for each racer over the age of 21. Know that the end might be crowded and it would take a while to get again to your resort.
Simply be sure you don’t have an excessive amount of enjoyable in your Vegas weekend earlier than this occasion kicks off on Sunday morning.
This Reddit person says it’s undoubtedly value your time:
I must say that the Vegas half marathon is a really memorable race.
The one draw back is the quantity of strolling you do except you spend extra cash on ubers.
Additionally, I’d say its arduous to chase PRs when you find yourself strolling all over the place and the quantity of individuals may cause congestion and a few factors.
In my view, if you’re simply on the lookout for a enjoyable race then Vegas is unquestionably the reply.
7. Amica Newport Half Marathon
Date: October 12, 2025
Location: Easton’s Seaside, Newport, RI
Sort: Loop
Profile: Principally Flat
Boston Qualifier: Sure
Newport, Rhode Island is without doubt one of the most picturesque and historic cities in all the nation. That mentioned, you may want an excuse to get to the tiny northeastern state – and this half marathon is the right one.
The race kicks off at Easton’s Seaside and carries runners alongside the seaside and thru downtown Newport, passing the well-known Newport mansions alongside the best way.
The crowds are nice and there’s no method you’ll overlook your expertise within the Metropolis by the Sea.
PhillyRunner1993 was clearly completely happy together with his alternative to go to:
This was simply one of the scenic races I’ve run. The course takes you alongside the small metropolis, the shoreline, the mansions, and and rural roads—it’s a visually beautiful from begin to end.
I didn’t discover it that difficult. Don’t underestimate the hills. Significantly at mile 1 and miles 24. They’re manageable however will hold you in your toes. The views undoubtedly take some time value it.
Group was spot on, with seamless logistics and implausible volunteers who saved the vitality excessive. The swag was stable, significantly the medal. Shirt very good high quality, put on it typically not like different race shirts I’ve acquired.
In the event you’re on the lookout for a scenic course, and a well-managed medium-sized full or half, this race is a should. I’ll be again for certain!
8. Baltimore Working Competition
Date: October 18, 2025
Location: Baltimore, MD
Sort: Loop
Profile: Hilly
Boston Qualifier: Sure
Some runners tout this marathon/half marathon as probably the greatest races on the East Coast. Runners taking part within the half will merge with the marathon runners after they’re midway accomplished, and the race ends at Baltimore’s iconic inside harbor.
You’ll get some nice swag together with a few free beers for finishing the race, which runners name “difficult” due to its many hills.
In the event you’re feeling frisky, you possibly can add the 5K to your half marathon day and change into a BaltiMORON-a-thon winner as nicely!
Right here’s what participant cfconwayiii considered his race in Baltimore:
Pre race communication was nice, fixed updates had been emailed main as much as the race
Expo was on the conference middle, tremendous simple and had a number of cubicles with something you may want.We stayed downtown a {couples} of blocks from begin/end line, walked all over the place.
We beloved the inter harbor space, from the outdated ships to the scrumptious crab muffins.
Course was on metropolis streets, with loads of nicely staffed assist stations.
Crowd help was nice.
It was a hilly course but it surely was not as dangerous as I assumed it could be.
Swag was a protracted sleeve dri-fit shirt and a brilliant cool crab medal.
9. Garmin Kansas Metropolis Half Marathon
Date: October 18, 2025
Location: Kansas Metropolis, MO
Sort: Loop
Profile: Some hills
Boston Qualifier: Sure
Named the “Finest Marathon in Missouri” by RaceRaves and one of many prime 20 US Marathons general, you’re not going to wish to miss this iconic run by Kansas Metropolis.
You’ll get the complete tour, together with the WWI Museum and Memorial, the Nation Membership Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Artwork, Waldo, Westport, and lots of extra lovely neighborhoods that make Kansas Metropolis so beloved.
Runner hjrosa undoubtedly loved his time there:
This can be a mid dimension race with about 3000 runners for the half working along with one other 1500 for the complete marathon. Expo was at Union Station, which I discovered architecturally lovely. It had about 30 distributors, principally locals.
I divide the race in 4 elements. The primary 5 miles is a gradual incline a lot of the method.
From 5 through 7 is downtown hell, I imply hill(sss) … and people are lengthy steep steps.
From 7 through 9 the course flattens significantly.
Fortunately, after mile 9 the gradual descend goes on and on …till the final 2/tenth of a mile, with this annoying brief climb to a flat end line.
I’m certain that final hill isn’t as steep because it felt, however after 12.9 miles, c’mon bruh!
The race takes you to the primary highlights of town core.
10. Run Disney Wine and Dine
Date: October 26, 2025
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL
Sort: Loop
Profile: Principally Flat
Boston Qualifier: Sure
This run is themed to completely different eats, so that you’ll have enjoyable and be consuming (and ingesting) nicely earlier than, throughout, and after your race.
The course winds by the Walt Disney World Resort and ends with an after-hours entry celebration at EPCOT’s Worldwide Meals & Wine Competition. Simply do not forget that with all Dinsey races you’ll be getting up VERY early and spend a while working at nighttime on roads outdoors the park.
In the event you’re a Disney lover, you’ll additionally take pleasure in character sightings and Disney-themed leisure alongside the race.
Disney doesn’t do something midway, this half marathon included.
Shullrd says it’s definitely worth the cash (which isn’t insubstantial):
My favourite half was the run across the lake by the pavilions. There’s a stretch of about 7 miles the place you’re on roads which was a lot much less thrilling.
Disney guarantees magic at each mile they usually delivered. There have been loads of character photograph ops – though in the event you’re a slower runner it’s arduous to benefit from them and full the course earlier than it closes.
The music was nice. There have been ample water and assist stations all through the course.
My one beef… the meals station was damaged down earlier than we bought there. This occurs typically, however is irritating. I believe the slower runners most likely want it greater than the sooner ones.
The swag is nice and the put up race meals was nicely chosen to assist with restoration.
11. Route 66 Half Marathon
Date: November 23, 2025
Location: Tulsa, OK
Sort: Loop
Profile: Hilly
Boston Qualifier: Sure
Route 66 is the Mom of all Roads, so how may this half marathon miss?
Downtown Tulsa, the place the race begins, is dwelling to the most important focus of Artwork Deco structure outdoors of Miami, and the remainder of town (and faculty campus) are as vibrant as they’re numerous.
The area people comes out to help the runners and the race, with block events lining the course and loads of cheers to spur you ahead.
Native runner freundmarkj was glad he determined to take part:
The one phrase that saved coming again to me to explain this race was “expertise”. I signed up for the half marathon on a whim — 4 days earlier than the race — and I’m so glad I did. This race was a blast. The expo was large with many nice distributors and good folks. Packet pickup was really easy, and I like the puffer vest that we acquired with our race registration. Actually good begin.
Then, the race. It leaves downtown Tulsa fairly shortly, however weaves its method by actually fairly neighborhoods and parks, then onto a protracted highway with these cool tunnels, after which after all on the nation’s most well-known freeway, Route 66, earlier than ending again downtown. I beloved the range this course needed to provide, however be warned — the hills are brutal! I used to be not anticipating so many hills, and had not skilled for them, and they’re TOUGH. Even nonetheless, I actually favored this course.
Put merely, this entire race is a celebration. Every corral bought its personal confetti bathe upon beginning. There have been quantity of spectators a lot of the method, and I’ve by no means seen a lot alcohol out on the course! There have been so many individuals providing beers and pictures, I couldn’t imagine it! It actually added to the vibe, even when I didn’t partake myself. The end space is so enjoyable too, in a metropolis park with a stage and a band taking part in with end line pizza and beers. And a cool medal!
I had an superior time working this race, and I’m so glad I pulled the set off on this. It was an expertise value remembering. Make this your Oklahoma race!
We hope this listing of greatest half marathons within the US gave you some inspiration.
So take a look at your schedule for later this yr and begin filling it up!
In search of some further working suggestions?