You’re not like other half marathoners. You’re a cool half marathoner. It’s time to get out of the mainstream and into the world of indie racing.While the top-rated, most highly attended fall half marathons are popular for a reason, they’re well organized, exciting, and have great routes, there are literally thousands of half marathons held every year. That means that there are plenty of phenomenal halves that are flying under the radar. They’re easy to sign up for, have plenty of small town charm, and usually don’t involve the headache of massive crowds.
Plus with smaller entry fields, they are able to try out some cool perks that just won’t scale well for the big city races.So if you’re looking for fall half marathons, and want to get a bit off the beaten path, here are 20 of our favorite fall half marathons in the US (and a few around the world) that you might not know about.
Marquette Half Marathon on August 31, 2024 | Marquette, MI
First off, if you’ve never been to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, then you have failed yourself as a traveler. A magical place wedged between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, the UP (as Michiganders call it) is a paradise of forests, rivers, waterfalls, and shoreline. Marquette, an old harbor town built to ship iron ore, is the UP’s largest city with a quaint downtown. Runners will start 13.1 miles outside of town and race through the remote natural landscape before finishing along Lake Superior. Cliff dive into the water post-race or cruise around looking at the fall foliage. Just make sure you don’t leave without trying a pasty and a Faygo pop.
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Boulderthon on September 29, 2024 | Boulder, CO
Boulder ranks number three on U.S. World New’s Best Places to Live in the United States and it’s now becoming one of the best places to run. The race begins at the Boulder Reservoir, traverses the Flatirons, and finishes on the streets of historic Pearl Street Mall. Despite running at high altitude (Boulder sits at over 5,000 feet of elevation), the race is mostly flat. Boulder is famous for being a great place to train (many trail and ultra running athletes live there year round because of the altitude and moderate climate) – this is the race Boulder deserves.
Kaua’i Half Marathon September 1, 2024 | Poipu, HI
While Hawaii certainly gets plenty of attention for its races (the Honolulu Marathon is one of the largest in the US), Kauai’s half marathon is often overshadowed by those of Maui, the Big Island, and Honolulu. Perhaps that’s because Kauai’s race is more of a mountain race than a beach race, and is therefore quite a bit more difficult. But if the challenge of running up a volcano doesn’t scare you, the views are well worth it. Plus, you still finish at the beach, so you can tumble into the Pacific to cool off at the end if you need to.
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Bozeman Half Marathon September 8, 2024 | Bozeman, MT
If you’re looking to get off the grid, there’s no place quite like Montana. It’s the 4th largest state in terms of area, but near the bottom of the list based on population. But what Bozeman may lack in crowds, it makes up for in natural splendor. The Bozeman Half starts up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and descends 13 miles down into town. That means you not only get some incredible views overlooking Bozeman, but you also get a nice, speedy, downhill race. If you’re looking for a PR, you can’t do much better. You just might have a little trouble booking direct flights there.
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Hamptons Half Marathon September 28, 2024 | Southampton, NY
The New York City halves certainly suck up a lot of the oxygen when discussing New York races, but there’s a reason why New Yorkers all flee to the Hamptons in the summer, and that’s because it’s absolutely gorgeous and way more breezy. The Hamptons hosts a fall half marathon that is a nice alternative to the NYC races that require complicated lotteries and qualification standards to get into. Instead, just sign up, take the LIRR out to the beachy resort town, and jog past some of the most impressive mansions in the world. Finish with a glass of rose and some oysters.
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Clarence DeMar Half MarathonSeptember 29, 2024 | Keene, NH
If you’re looking for fall foliage, this New Hampshire half marathon might be a great option for you. Named in honor of Clarence DeMar, seven time winner of the Boston Marathon, who ran, hiked, and hitchhiked his way from Boston to Keene every week to both keep a job teaching printing and history at a Keene high school as well as finish a master’s degree at Boston College. The race is renown for it’s fall foliage and citywide support of the runners.
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Urban Cow Half Marathon October 6, 2024 | Sacramento, CA
If you love to mooooooove, and want a California race with low steaks, then why not sign up for this legen-dairy race? (Okay I’m sorry. I’m milking these cow puns to much.) Back in the day, snooty San Fransiscans called the state’s capital a “cow town” and race organizers took the nickname and ran with it (THESE PUNS!) Crowds line the course ringing cow bells (what else?) and the medal is shaped like one as well. Plus, if you sign up with a group of more than 15, you’re registered as a “herd” that gets their own private port-o-john and other special perks. Here’s your opportunity to grab the bull by the horns. (Too much? Sorry if I butchered that.)
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Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon October 6, 2024 | Hampton, NH
Smuttynose stands head and feet above when it comes to New England fall half marathons. Hampton is a gorgeously scenic coastal New Hampshire town, the race incorporates New England culture like lobster rolls and clam chowder for race finishers, and the finisher party is thrown alongside local craft beer maker – Smuttynose Brewing.
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St. George Mini Marathon October 5, 2024 | St. George, UT
In the southwest corner of Utah, in between Zion, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon sits St. George, Utah. This means that the Mini Marathon (what a fun way to brand a fall half marathons) is the perfect addition to your hiking/gambling vacation. Like the Bozeman Half, it starts in the hills and is almost entirely downhill, making it a nice race for first timers or those who aren’t looking to spend two hours plodding uphill. The desert/mountain views are stunning, and the sunrise is majestic.
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Portland Half Marathon October 6, 2024 | Portland, OR
The 51st annual running of what’s been called “The Best Race in October” by Runner’s World. Mostly flat with a few hilly stretches, the course traverses the neighborhoods surrounding the Willamette River. Runners remark this is one of the best organized races they’ve ever run and offers Oregon’s capital city’s best running tour. You can get $20 this year’s registration using code HALF20.
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Baltimore Half Marathon October 17, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
Good morning Baltimore! It’s time to run the half! While I ran this race with a concussion (ill-advised), I would still whole-heartedly recommend it, and the course, which loops the city starting and ending at the famed Inner Harbor, is a fun one. In a unique move, the Baltimore Half also starts at the 13-mile marker of the full marathon, which is sort of hellish for the full runners who now have fresh runners zooming by them, but provides an epic group finish. All finishers receive a medal shaped like a crab, and who doesn’t want one of those? (Also please congratulate me for making it this far into this blurb without making a crabs joke).
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Duke City Half MarathonOctober 20, 2024 | Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque, New Mexico was named after a Spanish Duke and has since earned the name “Duke City.” The course is flat and fast and showcases New Mexico’s largest city. The course traverses the Sandia Mountains, the Rio Grand, and the University of New Mexico campus. The course is at 5,000 feet above sea level so be prepared to race at elevation.
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Las Vegas Half Marathon November 2, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV
The premier and city-signature road running event in Las Vegas, Nevada. There’s a few landmark events in Nevada – you’re probably thinking about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series or something in the Red Rock Canyons just outside the city – but in Las Vegas Half Marathons inaugural event, it’s standing out. Las Vegas garners the reputation of being pigeon holed as Sin City, which neglects the creative community and neighborhoods that surround the Strip. The Las Vegas Half Marathon feels more authentic to roots with a course through Downtown Summerlin, Symphony Park, 18b Arts District, Las Vegas Boulevard, and an exciting finish at Fremont Street Experience. For it’s first year, you can get $20 off using code HALF20.
Indianapolis Half Marathon November 9, 2024 | Indianapolis, IN
If there is a city in America that is underrated, it is Indianapolis. I would defy non-Hoosiers to state a single thing about the city aside from that the Indy 500 happens there. But as it turns out, Indy is lowkey cool. It’s the 15th most populous city in the US (who knew!) and way bigger than Milwaukee, Detroit, and Cleveland. That means they’ve got good food, cool museums, and a great beer scene. Plus Indiana is FLAT FLAT FLAT so the race is ideal for those in search of a PR. Why not visit before everyone catches on?
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Raleigh City of Oaks Half Marathon November 3, 2024 | Raleigh, NC
The Carolinas have plenty of fall half marathons on their roster, and many of them involve running along the states’ impressive coastline. Raleigh is delivering something different. The race through North Carolina’s capital winds along the city’s tree-lines streets showcasing what trendy place it is. With local craft breweries sponsoring and plenty of people cheering from their front lawns, the race has a small town feel even though the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area is anything but small. Raleigh is jam packed with great brunch locales as well, so get ravenous on your run and then chow down on soul food when you’re done.
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Monterey Bay Half Marathon November 10, 2024 | Monterey, CA
For their sheer beauty, the Big Sur Marathon Series is hard to beat. Formerly known as the Big Sur Half Marathon at Monterey Bay, this race course floats along the rocky coastline of the Pacific Ocean with floating sea gulls and an ocean breeze. The race is limited to only 9,000 entrants and it sells out quickly. If you haven’t had any luck with the Big Sur Marathon, and you’re more of a half marathon runner anyway, this should be a priority for you this year.
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The CarMax Richmond Half Marathon November 16, 2024 | Richmond, VA
Deemed “America’s Friendliest Marathon,” the Richmond Half Marathon stands as our strong pick for the best east coast fall half marathon when compared against the likes of Philadelphia and New York. The crowds are boisterous, the runners are compassionate, the course is approachable, it’s everything someone could want in a fall racing experience.
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St. Pete Run Fest Half Marathon November 17, 2024 | St. Petersburg, FL
The St. Pete Run Fest has the unenviable pressure of its near proximity to Disney World and its many highly attended halves. But if you’re looking for a race that doesn’t start at 5am, is easier to enter, and includes some shoreline running, than St. Pete is the better choice. Known for being a bit artsier than most of Florida, St. Petersburg has plenty of culture to offer, and its finisher festival puts that on display with local bands, restaurants, and breweries dishing out what they do best. ALSO finishers get bloody marys. I have not seen many other halves passing those out, but maybe they should.
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Route 66 Half Marathon November 24, 2024 | Tulsa, OK
Tulsa, Oklahoma is another underrated American city, but according to New York Magazine, it’s “lowkey having a moment.” Far be it from me to argue with such a venerable source of culture, and I will therefore be flying to Oklahoma the weekend before Thanksgiving to trot around the town. Tulsa is of course located on the famed Route 66, so you can get your kicks (and a finisher medal) by heading down for the race. After zigzagging around Tulsa, the race finishes on the bridge section of the iconic highway that crosses the Arkansas River. After the race, you can relax in your hotel room watching Cars.
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Seattle Half Marathon December 1, 2024 | Seattle, WA
Sneaking in right before the winter cutoff, the Seattle Half is run each year on Thanksgiving weekend. While on first blush, that might not seem like a great time to run a half, it does mean you won’t have to take off any days from work to make the trip. Plus you can carb load with leftover turkey sandwiches and pumpkin pie. Go to the original Starbucks, take a boat tour of the bay, and get some great finisher pics with your medal and the Space Needle. You can skip out on Grandma’s house for one year and check out this half instead.
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Picking a Fall Half Marathon
Most of the popular half marathons are in the fall as they account for 8 to 20 weeks of training through the warm weather of the spring and summer. Running through the summer months, you’ll want to make sure you’re investing hydration on your long runs and replacing your shoes every 350 miles.
For our recommendations on spring marathons, we’ve gone ahead and compiled for you.
