The Rise of the Half Marathon

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What used to be a niche endurance pursuit has quickly become one of the most popular sports in the world. More people are running consistently, training with real intention, and therefore signing up for way more races. Especially the half marathon.

The half marathon sits in a sweet spot. Long enough to feel serious, but short enough to train for without changing too much about your day to day life. It rewards consistency and smart training without demanding a full lifestyle overhaul.

As more runners sign up for a half marathon, we’ve started to notice they’re showing up for different reasons. Some runners show up chasing speed. Others are drawn by travel, atmosphere, or scenery. For many, it is about personal challenge or rediscovering joy in racing. The distance stays the same, but the motivation changes.

The half marathon is no longer just about covering 13.1 miles. It is about the experience around it. So instead of asking which half marathon is the best, a better question is: What kind of half marathon are you looking for?

The PR chasers

Flat, fast, and built for speed. These races show up again and again in forums, group chats, and Strava comments because they are designed for one thing: Running fast. These races reward discipline. Pacing matters. Execution matters. The finish line is about the final time.

  • Houston Half Marathon (USA, January 2027)

    • For over 20 years, this has been one of the fastest half marathons in the United States. Flat, point-to-point, and known for cool January weather. A longtime favorite for early-season PR attempts with tens of thousands of runners each year.

    • ~15,000–18,000 runners

    • Registration begins: June 3rd 2026

  • Copenhagen Half Marathon (Denmark, September 2027)

    • First run in 2015, this is now a modern European classic with a fast, looped course through central Copenhagen. Deep elite fields and smooth logistics make it a benchmark race for serious time goals.

    • ~30,000–32,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected September 2026

  • Valencia Half Marathon (Spain, October 2027)

    • Since 1988, Valencia is widely considered the fastest half marathon in the world. Purpose-built for records, with pacing lights, cool temperatures, and a long history of world-class performances.

    • ~20,000–25,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected October 2026

  • Berlin Half Marathon (Germany, April 2027)

    • Established in 1984, this is one of the oldest major half marathons in Europe. Wide roads, minimal turns, and a fast urban course through Berlin make it a perennial PR destination.

    • ~30,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected April 2026

  • China Airlines Half Marathon (Australia, July 2027)

    • A winter race for Northern Hemisphere runners. Flat coastal roads, large international fields, and consistently strong finishing times. One of Australia’s most popular road races since 1979.

    • ~15,000–20,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected April 2026

The destination runners

Where the race is also the trip. For many runners, the half marathon is a reason to explore a city on foot. These races combine strong organization with unforgettable settings. They turn training into a memory. You finish tired, proud, and already planning the next trip.

  • Paris Half Marathon (France, March 2027)

    • Founded in 1993, it’s one of the largest half marathons in the world. A true city run with iconic landmarks, huge crowds, and a festive atmosphere from start to finish.

    • ~45,000–50,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected July 2026

  • Lisbon Half Marathon (Portugal, March 2027)

    • First held in 1991, this race is famous for its bridge crossing and coastal views. A fast course that attracts both PR seekers and runners chasing scenery.

    • ~15,000–20,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected June 2026

  • Prague Half Marathon (March 2027)

    • Since 1999, this race us known for its historic streets, river crossings, and scenic old-town sections. A staple of the European spring racing calendar.

    • ~10,000–15,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected April 2026

  • Istanbul Half Marathon (Turkey, April 2027)

    • Reestablished in 2015, this is a growing international race that blends modern city running with deep historical surroundings along the Bosphorus.

    • ~10,000–15,000 runners

    • Registration begins: December 2026

  • Sydney Half Marathon (Australia, May 2027)

    • With a new route starting in 2008, this race has harbor views, rolling terrain, and a dramatic urban backdrop. One of the most scenic large races in the Southern Hemisphere.

    • ~10,000–15,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected July 2026

The big race energy runners

Crowds, noise, and momentum. Some runners thrive on atmosphere. Packed streets, loud spectators, and the feeling that something big is happening around them. These races may not always be the fastest on paper, but they’re powerful motivators.

  • NYRR Brooklyn Half Marathon (USA, May 2027)

    • One of the largest half marathons in the world, established in 1981. A rite of passage for New York City runners with massive crowds and electric energy from start to finish.

    • ~25,000–27,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected January 2027

  • Barcelona Half Marathon (Spain, February 2027)

    • Established in 1991, it’s Europe’s largest half marathon by participation. Known for its fast course, mild winter weather, and wall-to-wall crowd support.

    • ~20,000–25,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected May 2026

  • Manchester Half Marathon (England, October 2027)

    • Since 2016, this half marathon is a fast UK race with strong local support and a growing international reputation. Popular with runners chasing autumn PRs.

    • ~10,000–15,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected January 2027

  • Reading Half Marathon (England, March 2027)

    • Started in 1983, this long-standing community race is packed with enthusiastic spectators and deeply rooted in British road-racing culture.

    • ~15,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected March 2026

The scenery first runners

Less about splits, more about presence. Not every half marathon is about speed. Some are about where you are and how it feels to be there. These races remind runners why they started running in the first place. The watch matters less. The experience matters more.

  • Napoli City Half Marathon (Italy, February 2027)

    • Founded in 2016, this race has coastal roads with views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples. A dramatic setting that blends speed with scenery.

    • ~5,000–8,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected June 2026

  • Roma-Ostia Half Marathon (Italy, March 2027)

    • The race, which began in March 1974, is classic point-to-point race from Rome to the sea. One of Italy’s oldest and most beloved road races.

    • ~10,000–12,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected September 2026

  • Göteborg Half Marathon (Sweden, May 2027)

    • Established in 1980, this race is calm, scenic, and waterfront-heavy. A quieter race that appeals to runners looking for a reflective, well-organized experience.

    • ~15,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected May 2026

The underrated picks

Races runners love once they discover them. These races are gaining attention among runners who like strong organization without the hype. They feel like insider knowledge. And the internet loves insider knowledge.

  • Osaka Half Marathon (Japan, January 2027)

    • One of Japan’s premier road races since 2006, known for immaculate organization and deep domestic fields. A favorite among experienced runners who value precision, pacing, and execution.

    • ~8,000–10,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected August 2026

  • Hamburg Half Marathon (Germany, June 2027)

    • Fast and efficient, with momentum on its side. A well-supported early-summer European race, established in 1995.

    • ~8,000–10,000 runners

    • Registration begins: Expected September 2026

  • RAK Half Marathon (United Arab Emirates, February 2027)

    • Established in 2007, this race is known for elite-level performances and a flat desert course. A winter event built for speed and record-setting conditions.

    • ~5,000

    • Registration begins: Expected September 2026

So what are you running for?

That is the real shift. The half marathon is no longer one thing. It has become a flexible goal that adapts to where you are as a runner. Some seasons are about speed. Some are about travel. Some are about rediscovering joy. Others are about seeing how far you can take this version of yourself. The distance stays the same, but the meaning changes.

And wherever you line up, the work is still familiar: train consistently, run with intention, stack weeks. The rest is simply choosing the starting line that fits you right now.