By 
So you’ve decided that 2023 is the year you run a half marathon. Maybe it’s your first time traversing the 13.1, or maybe you’ve finished dozens of half marathons, but either way, committing to the distance is only part of the decision. Now you have to determine which of the more than 3,000 half marathons organized each year is a good match for you.
From massive inner-city road races to sparsely attended back-woods trail runs, half marathons experiences can vary greatly. There are some half marathons (like one in Death Valley) that aim to make the distance as grueling as possible, while others offer a different vibe and involve concerts, fireworks, and Mickey Mouse.
To assist in your choice, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the United States’s most unique, entertaining, and just plain fun races. Each of these half marathons go out of their way to inject an extra dose of pizazz into the running experience, creating a 13.1 that is anything but ordinary. From international border crossing and spectacular views, to mud pits and turkey costumes, these races are a good time.
More From Runner's World
New York City Half Marathon
Location: New York City, New York
Date: Sunday, March 19, 2023
Register Here
Most days of the year Times Square is a commuter’s nightmare. Trying to fight through the throngs of tourists to get to a Broadway show or the subway is akin to Dante’s ninth level of hell. The New York City Half, however, clears out the crowds and allows you to run through the bright lights of Times Square without throwing elbows. While the New York City Marathon will forever be the marquee New York race, the half’s course is, dare I say, even better. Starting in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, you run through downtown Brooklyn, over the Manhattan Bridge (with a spectacular view of the Brooklyn Bridge) and along the East River. Then you cross in front of Grand Central Station, zip through Times Square, and finish in Central Park. Everything you could want from a New York City run.
Rhode Races’ Newport Half Marathon
Location: Newport, Rhode Island
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023
Register Here
If you’re fascinated by Architectural Digest’s home tours, or love The Great Gatsby-era mansions, then the Newport Half is the one for you. This race is basically a sped-up walking tour of Rhode Island’s affluent shoreline, with the course passing numerous gorgeous estates as it weaves its way through the seaside town. The race then ends with a pizza party on the beach complete with complimentary Sam Adams beer. The race also partners with RaceJoy for its tracking, which chirps out fun facts about local attractions you pass, a feature that isn’t widely publicized, but is entertaining and informational.
500 Festival Mini-Marathon
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Vroom Vroom! You may be running a bit slower than an Indy car, which can hit speeds over 200 mph, but you can still compete on the same track. The prestigious Indy 500 is run every spring, and in the leadup to the car race, runners are able to participate in a half marathon that includes a lap of the 2.5-mile-long circuit. Then it’s back toward the finish and the checker flag.
Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon
Location: Solvang, California
While drinking wine while running might be ill-advised, celebrating a completed 13.1 with a glass (or two) of wine sounds lovely. The organizers of this race agree, as the post-race party doubles as a wine tasting festival. After jogging through vineyards in southern California, you can sample local wines with a festival pass. No better way to mark your accomplishment than with a toast of sauvignon blanc. Cheers!
Acadia Half Marathon
Location: Bar Harbor, Maine
Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023
One of the best features of the United States is its National Parks system that preserves spectacular natural landscapes across the country. Several of these parks now host half marathons, and one of the most gorgeous is in Maine’s scenic Acadia National Park. Starting and finishing in Bar Harbor (near Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream which is a must try), the course then loops through the wooded island with stints along the shore. You also might get splashed by Thunder Hole. *smiles slyly*
Hatfield McCoy Blackberry Mountain Half Marathon and River Road Half Marathon
Location: Williamson, West Virginia
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023
Unless you’re an elite runner, you probably aren’t entering a half marathon trying to compete with anyone but yourself. The pair of halves that accompany the Hatfield McCoy Marathon, however, are run in the spirit of feuding. The race splits up its participants into Hatfields and McCoys and whichever team has the faster collective finish time gets bragging rights. The race starts in a grocery store parking lot where Hatfield and McCoy re-enactors fire off an old timey rifle, so the race is really one-of-a-kind.
ET Full Moon Half Marathon
Location: Rachel, Nevada
Date: Sunday, August 6, 2023
Due to road closures and visibility, most half marathons are run on a weekend morning, but this alien-themed race is a full night-time affair. Starting at midnight, runners will be completing the 13.1 completely in the dark, and with a course that nears the mysterious Area 51, you’re liable to be sucked up by a UFO mid-race and never seen again. All runners are required to wear reflective vests and headlamps, with many accessorizing with glow sticks. Fingers crossed that any extraterrestrials you cross paths with are more E.T. and less Alien.
Cheesehead Run Half Marathon
Location: Hilbert, Wisconsin
Date: Saturday, August 12, 2023
You had me at cheese. Wisconsin is of course known for its cheese, and fans of the Green Bay Packers, called “cheeseheads”, often wear cheese wedge-shaped hats. The Cheesehead Run, which takes place south of Green Bay, is an homage not just to the Packers fans, but to cheese itself. Runners can wear their Cheesehead hats. The bibs look like cheese. The starting line looks like cheese. And of course there is cheese at the postrace party. The event is sponsored by Sargento, so you know it’s legit. Plus mice have voted it the number one half marathon in the world.
The Kauai Half Marathon
Location: Poipu, Hawaii
Date: Sunday, September 3, 2023
Kauai has been nicknamed “the Garden Isle” by Hawaiians, and even among the state’s breathtaking collection of islands, it stands out for its diverse flora and fauna. This half not only provides views of Kauai’s beaches and volcanic peaks, but also takes runners through the “Tunnel of Trees” within the island’s lush tropical rainforest. The race starts with island natives blowing conch shells, and roadside entertainment includes hula dancers, so the race delivers the Hawaiian experience from start to finish.
Arches Half Marathon
Location: Moab, Utah
Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
Register: Register Here
Perhaps describing the Arches Half Marathon as “fun” might be deceptive, especially for runners looking for an easy race with the full gamut of amenities. Rather, this trail half marathon through Utah’s wilderness is a sun-drenched affair that is largely unsupported and requires runners to carry their own water. What the race lacks in ease, however, it makes up for in natural splendor as it winds its way between the Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. The race may be difficult, but it will be rewarding.
Detroit International Half Marathon
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Why have fun running in one country, when you can have fun running in two? Detroit’s International Half Marathon (not to be confused with a version that remains solely in Michigan for those with visa issues) starts in the Motor City’s downtown before crossing the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Canada. Runners then run along the riverfront, past a Tim Hortons (they were handing out Timbits-bit sized donuts when I ran it), and through the tunnel back to Detroit. 13.1 miles, and you’re an international world traveler.
Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon
Location: Orlando, Florida
Date: Sunday, November 5, 2023
While the runDisney series of races may not be the most runnerly events, they are perfect for amateurs looking to have a good time. Disney hosts a number of themed halves every year, but their race celebrating EPCOT’S Food and Wine Festival every fall is a highlight. The course itself is lined with characters, photo ops, and entertainment (this is not a race to PR in), and you run through several of the Disney World parks and resorts. More importantly though, entry comes with a pass into the afterparty held in EPCOT that evening after the parks close. Join fellow runners to sample the international food and drinks and, the best bonus—try out some of the most popular attractions without the long lines.
Tulsa Route 66 Half Marathon
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023
Unless you’ve got a flat tire or ran out of gas, chances are you haven’t gone for a jog on the famed Route 66. Tulsa’s half marathon, however, gives you that opportunity, and on the bridge over the Arkansas River no less. The whole weekend is a zany, community affair with race organizers sending out “block party kits” to those who live along the course, a separate race dedicated solely to people dressed in mascot costumes, and even an optional .3-mile extension to the marathon to make it the “world’s shortest ultramarathon.” Tulsa is putting on a party, and you’re just running through it.
Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
The turkey trot has become a time-honored Thanksgiving morning tradition across the United States in the past few decades with many towns throwing tiny 5Ks for families who wish to get some exercise before eating 48 pounds of candied yams. The Atlanta Track Club, however, has upped the ante for their Turkey Trot, providing a full half marathon for runners to enjoy. People will be dressed as Pilgrims and Turkeys, and you might have to miss part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but you’ll be so hungry for pie by the end.
Spartan Beast
Location: Various
Date: Various
Spartan Race half marathon distance events are unlike any other races on this list because they add in the element of obstacles (unless of course you consider running with a Cheesehead hat on to be an obstacle). The Beast is not for the faint of heart and provides a whole new set of challenges for those accustomed to the half marathon distance. In addition to running 13.1 miles, you also must complete 30 obstacles which involve climbing walls, dragging sandbags around, and throwing spears (yes you read that right). So perhaps more painful than fun, but this is a half marathon, pain equals fun.
Matthew Huff is a freelance writer and runner, and he is the author of MARATHONER: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed among others, and he is the cohost of “P.S. You’re Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.
