Apparently, in your twenties and thirties you’re either getting engaged or running a half marathon.
If not, you’ll have a friend doing one of the two and let’s be honest: you’ll have heard about it if they are (if it’s not on Strava and your socials, did you even run?).
Mock though we might, the half marathon runners amongst us are onto something. Whether you’re a casual runner or serious about your kudos, what’s not to love about getting outside and keeping fit, whilst simultaneously seeing the world and gaining new experiences?
As this era continues to take off, there’s a half marathon for every type of traveller. Whether you want to see iconic city sights, prefer the coastal road or just want to experience the weird and wonderful, there’s always a route worth running for.
Half marathon but make it sight-seeing? Say less
City half marathons are perhaps the most popular sub-category of half marathons; they give you a pre-planned itinerary to tick off some of the major sights of major cities.
London Landmarks (UK)
London is a sprawling metropolis with so much to see and do: it feels like a place of endless opportunity, and no real epi-centre.
As a tourist, it’s hard to know how to pick and choose and this is where London Landmarks comes in. While the Royal Parks Half and Hackney Moves are also compelling options for other reasons, this marathon is our top pick for those who want to take in as many of the city’s sights as possible.
The route is the perfect tour guide, showing you the best of Westminster, from Big Ben to St Paul’s Cathedral, stepping into the city’s history on Embankment with the Tower of London and bringing you back to present day as the route rounds off with views of the London Eye and The Shard.
The city is known for its history and character, and this route showcases the very best of that.
Rome Half Marathon (Italy)
Rome is also an alluring option for similar reasons. There’s no avoiding that you’ll be getting your steps in by wandering the cobbled streets and a half marathon is a great way to tick off the key sights.
The route takes you past the wonders of this ancient capital: you’ll see the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, the Piazza Navona and more.
In doing so, free up time to discover hidden gems and get well acquainted with a city that boasts history, culture and is undoubtedly the best place for all that carb-loading post-marathon!
Half marathons that are all about the views
You’re going to be spoilt for choice here. Every corner of the world offers a different perspective, from pristine beaches, to sublime mountains and mystical rainforests to sun-soaked savannahs.
We’ve picked out just a few half marathons that will leave you breathless, for all the right reasons.
Queenstown Half Marathon (New Zealand)
Running a half marathon is no small feat but running it with these views makes it worth every step. For your efforts, you’re rewarded with one of the world’s most-picture perfect backdrops. With a combination of hard packed trails and road surfaces, the mostly flat route takes you past mesmerising mountains, stunning lakes and glorious countryside.
Plus, then you can treat yourself to fish ‘n’ chips after.
The Great Wall Half Marathon (China)
Bet you didn’t think about running one of the Wonders of the World. Well, turns out you can!
Step through time as the route takes you along the Great Wall of China itself, ending in Yin and Yang square, situated in the old Huangyaguan fortress. Along the way you’ll be captivated by views of the Great Wall and its surrounding valleys, as you thread through local villages cheered on by spectators.
As you might imagine, this is a demanding route with high humidity and 1282M of elevation gain between you and the finish line. It’s for the experienced runners looking for a new challenge – a gruelling run that marries endurance with history and spectacular scenery.
Kauai Half Marathon (Hawaii)
This race is a real contender for destination half marathons and it’s not hard to see why. The Kauai half marathon has it all: volcanic peaks, lush rainforest and white sand beaches.
Even better, hula dancers and Taiko drum troupes will also provide entertainment en-route, in case the beautiful mountain and ocean views weren’t enough.
Of course, after your race you’ll need some R&R, and is there anywhere better for it than Hawaii? Indulge in this tropical garden paradise. Go on, you deserve it.
For the travellers who want a new marathon PB
If you take your running more seriously but you also enjoy travelling and discovering new courses, then Valencia Half Marathon is a great option.
Valencia Half Marathon (Spain)
With one of the fastest and flattest routes, The Valencia Half Marathon is all about speed. It attracts both beginners and elite athletes alike and the race has established itself as the best half marathon in Spain, according to the SuperHalfs series.
Aside from its speedy route, the city offers a wealth of things to see and do, with the Valencia Cathedral, as well as its beaches, Old Town, markets, and wine tasting (post-marathon, of course!).
And the half marathons with a twist
Sometimes the best things in life are the weird, the unexpected and a little bit spicy.
If that sounds like a bit of you, here are some half marathons worth getting out of bed for (for real, why do they start so early?).
Tromso Midnight Sun Half Marathon (Norway)
Tromso’s famed half marathon offers an experience like no other, with the opportunity to run at midnight in the one month of the year where the city experiences sun around the clock. Yep, you read that right. It’s golden hour all night.
While most half marathons see you rising with the break of dawn, this sees you stay up through the night. The sun illuminates the city in a unique Arctic phenomenon. Running a half marathon with a backdrop of Tromso’s snow-capped mountains basking in the midnight sun sounds like a pretty cool experience to us.
Bacchus Wine Half Marathon (UK)
Here’s one for the very casual runners or… those who don’t run, like, at all. That’s because this half marathon is less about getting a new PB, and more about quenching your thirst.
Weaving its way around Denbies Wine Estate and the picturesque North Downs of England, this event really puts the ‘fun’ into ‘fun run’ offering a celebration of (you guessed it) wine, fine food, music, fancy dress and a little bit of running.
You’re encouraged to savour the samples of wine at six different stops along route, where there will also be accompanying food to enjoy. Far from being your fastest effort, you’ll end the day with a medal, a satisfied stomach and having participated in one of the world’s most truly enjoyable half marathons.
And if a half marathon feels too much…
If the concept of a half marathon feels like a step (or hundreds of steps) too far, lots of these options (and generally, the bigger races) also have 10km run options. This gives you the opportunity to lean more on the vacation part of your ‘racecation’ but still obtain that sense of achievement. Plus, you get to explore a new part of the world!
What are you waiting for? Lace up and let’s go.
