We love spring races — spring half marathons, in particular. We love running year-round, of course, but there’s something so invigorating about standing at the starting line in the first weeks after winter has broken. The weather is perfect for working up a sweat and the energy from the runners around you has the static electricity of a long winter training indoors.
Now, there are a lot of properly rated spring half marathons. From New York to Boston to Chicago, you really can’t go wrong with any 13.1 mile race March through May. But we love nothing more than discovering a hidden gem — and the half marathon on our list are races that fly below the radar. That means they aren’t as over-crowded, the registration fees aren’t astronomical, and everyone’s happy to be out for race day.
If you aren’t already, it’s time to start training. But whether you have 8 weeks to train or 20, one of these 13 spring half marathons is going to be the perfect culmination of your hard work — trust us.
Calendar: Best Spring Half Marathons of 2025
- Zion Half Marathon on March 1, 2025
- Antelope Canyon Half Marathon on March 7, 2025
- Yuengling Shamrock Half Marathon on March 16, 2025
- Vienna City Half Marathon on April 6, 2025
- Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Half Marathon on April 12, 2025
- Glass City Half Marathon on April 27, 2025
- Eugene Half Marathon on April 27, 2025
- The OC Half Marathon on May 4, 2025
- The Flying Pig Half Marathon on May 4, 2025
- Pittsburgh Half Marathon on May 4, 2025
- Avenue of the Giants Half Marathon on May 4, 2025
- Barns & Blooms Half Marathon on May 17, 2025
- Bayshore Half Marathon on May 23, 2025
Zion Half Marathon
- When: March 1, 2025
- Where: Virgin, Utah
Zion National Park is one of the most unique sites in the United States, so to be able to run through it, step by step, for 13.1 miles is truly awe-inspiring. Located in southwestern Utah, the section you run in Zion sits at roughly 3,650 feet of elevation with a steady climb toward the main canyon, so this run will be a solid challenge for those coming from sea level. But with the other-worldly red walls towering all around, contrasted against the lush green river beds and desert terrain, in all likelihood the scenery will sufficiently distract you from the burn.
Barns & Blooms Half Marathon
- When: May 17, 2025
- Where: South Hamilton, Massachusetts
One of our favorite New England half marathons, Barns & Blooms gives a great taste of classic countryside beauty. Polo fields, historic barns, perfect springtime flowers, this race is a single-loop course that carries you through seriously serene landscape. You’ll run down tree-lined neighborhoods and by horse paddocks, by one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the whole country, Appleton Farms, and by homes that have been there since the early 1600s. Oh, and did we mention this course is nearly all flat and perfect for setting that springtime PR?
Antelope Canyon Half Marathon
- When: March 7, 2025
- Where: Page, Arizona
Antelope Canyon is a stunningly beautiful place that not many Americans are even lucky enough to visit, let alone run through. Another of the national park race series, the Antelope Canyon race series takes you up high on desert mesas and through tight red slot canyons. The ultra distances get the most time in the serene landscape, but the Half Marathon offers spectacular views of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam and starts at 5:30 p.m. which means you’ll score sunset views.
Yuengling Shamrock Half Marathon
- When: March 16, 2025
- Where: Virginia Beach, Virginia
We love a themed race — especially one that involves green beer at the end! (Okay, it’s just regular-colored beer.) For the last 53 years, the spring streets of Virginia Beach have filled with festivities for this marathon weekend over St. Paddy’s Day. The costumes and crowd turn 13.1 miles into a fun run full of a whole lot of green and a very lively finish-line party on the beach with Yuengling beer and live music.
The OC Half Marathon
- When: May 4, 2025
- Where: Costa Mesa, California
In its 21st year, 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.
Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Half Marathon
- When: April 12, 2025
- Where: Roanoke, Virginia
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
- When: April 27, 2025
- Where: Eugene, Oregon
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.
Vienna City Half Marathon
- When: April 6, 2025
- Where: Vienna, Austria
Sometimes you want a runcation, and while we’ve found that the Berlin Marathon receives a lot of attention and praise, 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 love the half marathon distance so as ot not take over your whole vacation. Plus, 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.
The Flying Pig Half Marathon
- When: May 4, 2025
- Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
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
- When: April 27, 2025
- Where: Toledo, Ohio
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
- When: May 23, 2025
- Where: Traverse City, Michigan
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.
Pittsburgh Half Marathon
- When: May 4, 2025
- Where: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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
- When: May 4, 2025
- Where: Weott, California
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!).
