If you’re just getting into running, you’re probably discovering your races through friends, neighbors, baristas, and strangers on the street. That’s also why you’re reading this. There’s a lot of properly rated spring half marathons. From New York to Boston to Chicago – they’re all great and properly reviewed as such.
But in this day and age, we’re all obsessed with hidden gems and finding a bargain. These half marathon recommendations are a few races that fly below the radar. But they deserve much more credit, popularity, and praise than they receive.
OC Marathon in Costa Mesa, CA | May 5, 2024
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the OC Marathon. In case you’ve been living under a rock, The OC Marathon consistently makes it to the top of our “best” lists. Why? Most of us don’t live in places like Costa Mesa. We don’t get to experience the splendor of the Pacific Ocean, the rocky cliff sides of Newport Bay or the mega-mansions and yacht clubs of Southern California. Some races will give a taste of some of those, seldom do you find one that gives you all with exceptional race production and a finish festival to boot.
Fargo Half Marathon in Fargo, ND | June 1, 2024
This isn’t known as America’s Best Small Town Race for nothing. You might know the name Fargo from the Coen brothers movie, but this race is set to change that. Fargo is known for it’s athletic stadium, the Fargodome, a 19,000 seat stadium home to North Dakota State Athletics. Runners finish their half marathon in the dome with their finish projected onto the stadium video monitor. If that finishing experience doesn’t light your fire, then you might just love the course – which passes through the Fargo Country Club, Rose Creek Gold Course and the Main Avenue Bridge Downtown which organizers say is “a sight you won’t forget.” You can use code HM2024 for 10% off this year’s registration.
Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Half Marathon in Roanoke, VA | April 20, 2024
This isn’t the time for your personal bests. But, for the last 14 years, the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Half Marathon has struck the perfect balance between “really hard” and “worth it.” Every year, the scale is more heavily weighted towards worth it. The race carries it’s title as “America’s Toughest Road Race” with nearly 1,900 feet of elevation gain over the 13.1 mile run. At the peak, you’ll find yourself at the top of Mill Mountain, considered one of the most iconic mountains in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. You’ll be hard pressed to find another half marathon on the east coast with this quality of views.
Eugene Half Marathon in Eugene, OR | April 28, 2024
Eugene, Oregon has a special place in the hearts of track and field athletes as the home of the University of Oregon. While the University of Oregon currently breeds the most successful Olympic track and field athletes, it also was home to Bill Bowerman for 24 years – one of the co-founders of Nike. There are 4,000 runners for the half marathon and 10,000 total compete in the full, half and 5K. Most reviews cite the race finish at Hayward Field as the most special part. This is one of the best spring half marathons you can find in the country.
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Bank of America Chicago 13.1 in Chicago, IL | June 9, 2024
The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 is the newest half marathon in the Windy City from the producers of the Abbott World Marathon Major Chicago Marathon. Read: this race is a well-oiled machine. What we love so much about it is it’s unapologetic celebration of west Chicago. Only in the last few years has the old warehouse and industrial neighborhood turned into the cultural and culinary capital of Chicago.
Rotterdam Marathon in Rotterdam, Netherlands | April 14, 2024
While we usually don’t cover half marathons outside of the United States, we found the Rotterdam Marathon got more “underrated” accolades than many others. The race is described as a “fast, flat course with a very festive atmosphere” and the crowd energy has been compared to that of the Chicago Marathon (which has a ton of energy). Also, the race begins running over the Erasmus Bridge which looks right out of a science fiction novel.
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth, MN | June 21, 2024
Duluth is famously home to all American things – the Duluth Trading Company and Grandma’s Half Marathon. Now in it’s 47th year, the half marathon is named after Garry Bjorklund an Olympic Track & Field athlete who set the Minnesota state record for the mile which lasted 39 years. With the Grandma’s event you can expect a crowd – more than 7,000 runners participate in the half marathon and an additional 9,000 participate in the full marathon. That’s about a 20% increase of the year round population of Duluth that come just for this race. Another one of our picks for the best spring half marathons in the United States.
The Flying Pig Half Marathon in Cincinnati, OH | May 5, 2024
Race organizers have touted for years that the Flying Pig Half Marathon might be the most popular for first-time marathon and half marathon runners. While welcome to runners of all skill levels, the race is hilly. Between the fifth and the eighth mile, you’ll experience 300 feet of elevation gain. But, with 40,000 other runners by your side, the crowds will help sustain you through the thirteen miles.
Glass City Half Marathon in Toledo, OH | April 28, 2024
Only three hours away from Cincinnati is Toledo where you’ll find the Glass City Half Marathon. The name is derived from Toledo’s own nickname which came as it was the center of glass production for the automotive industry. More than 4,000 runners take part in the half marathon and it’s been touted for its organization, good crowd support, and supportive city vibe. The race is an out and back and has a majestic finish at Glass Bowl Stadium, home of the University of Toledo football team.
Bayshore Half Marathon in Traverse City, MI | May 25, 2024
The Bayshore Half Marathon takes place on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend and has been reviewed as “absolutely beautiful.” Traverse City sits nestled into Grand Traverse Bay along Lake Michigan. Only 2,700 runners, the Bayshore Half is smaller than the other underrated half marathons but packs a winning combination of beautiful sights and beautiful weather to make it onto our list.
Vienna City Half Marathon in Vienna, Austria | April 21, 2024
Ok, we do have another non-United States half marathon that makes the list. We’ve found that the Berlin Marathon receives a lot of attention and praise. Not just because it’s an Abbott World Major, but also because of its notoriously flat course many half marathon and marathon world records have been set there. However, the fastest marathon that’s been run in human history (Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-2 hour marathon) was run in Vienna due to its ideal running conditions. We’re also a sucker for a race that starts on a bridge which is exactly what this race gives you with it’s starting line on the most famous bridge in Vienna, the Reichsbrücke.
Pittsburgh Half Marathon in Pittsburgh, PA | May 5, 2024
Toledo is known for its glass and Pittsburgh is known for its rivers and steel. The race is mostly flat and will take you across the confluence of the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monogahela Rivers. In case you’re unfamiliar, Pittsburgh is home to 446 bridges but luckily on this course you’ll only get exposure to the most popular three. There are some uphill stretches in the back half of the course, but not so significant that it isn’t welcome to first time runners.
Avenue of the Giants Half Marathon in Weott, CA | May 5, 2024
There are a few sites in the United States that will help you feel like a speck of dust in the universe. The Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, and the Redwoods in Northern California. Lucky for you, there’s a half marathon that will take you right through the awe inspiring terrain. The course itself is hilly and more challenging than the others on the list, so don’t expect to PB, but do expect to BA (be amazed!).
Picking a Spring Half Marathon
Most of the popular half marathons are in the fall as they account for 8 to 20 weeks of training through moderate and warm weather of the spring and summer. But, if you can stomach the cold weather training, running a spring half marathon will add years to your running acumen. If you live in a moderate climate, you can eye any race between March and May. If you live in colder weather, it makes more sense to target April and May just in case the winter season disrupts consistent training.
