Half marathons
Half marathons capture the UK’s imagination as one of the favourite challenges balancing endurance and accessibility. Whether you’re stepping up from a 10K run or building towards a full marathon, a half marathon offers the chance to test yourself, enjoy incredible race-day atmospheres, and explore stunning routes across the country. Read more
When selecting a half marathon, clarify what matters most to you: do you want a fast, road half marathon for a personal best or a scenic, trail half marathon? Think about the race location, ease of travel, and the atmosphere - some events are lively and crowded, while others offer a more relaxed vibe. Match your goals and preferences with these factors to ensure the best race-day experience possible.
From fast, flat courses to scenic countryside trails, there are many half marathons throughout 2025. Thousands of runners participate each year, from first-timers to seasoned athletes. For beginners, events with pacers or a generous cut-off time offer supportive atmospheres to guide you through.
On this page, you’ll find half marathons right across the UK, helping you choose your perfect event. If you’re looking for races in a specific location, such as London half marathons, we have dedicated guides to make your search even easier. For those keen to travel, explore our European half marathons guide for destination races with unforgettable backdrops.
Browse upcoming half marathons below and start planning your next challenge.
Want to read more? Read the guides, tips and advice from our blog.
Got questions? Read our FAQs for answers.
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UK city half marathons
From the busiest city for half marathons to the world's largest half marathon.
- Sun 24 May
- FREE-£40
Edinburgh Half Marathon
Just before the Marathon, the Half follows the same fast and flat route from the iconic castle and city sights to the coast for an explosive finish and offers genuine PB potential.
- 13.1 miles road running + 76 m ascent
- Sun 13 Sep
- £15-£50
AJ Bell Great North Run
Join 60,000 runners at the world’s biggest and best half marathon with a ballot entry. Get the low-down on key dates, the route and race-day logistics, then secure your place on the iconic start line.
- 13.1 miles road running + 404 ft ascent
- Sun 4 Oct
- £5-£60
Oysho Cardiff Half
An iconic road race around Wales' capital offering a flat course from the castle to the marina and over the Cardiff Bay barrage!
- 13.1 miles road running + 81 m ascent
Half marathons 2026–2027
Discover half marathons near you and get ready for your next start line.
- Sun 25 Jan
- £38
Tissington Trail Half Marathon | Sunday
A breathtaking half marathon, racing along the Tissington Trail with spellbinding views of the rolling Derbyshire Dales.
- 13.1 miles trail running + 1053 ft ascent
- Sun 1 Feb
- £29-£31
Skipton Sweetie Skedaddle | Half Marathon
Enjoy a trip up the Leeds and Liverpool Canal this winter on your choice of distance, along the flat towpath for runners of all abilities, from novices to PB chasers!
- 13.1 miles trail running + 135 ft ascent
- Sun 1 Feb
- £36-£38
ATW Watford Half Marathon
This popular event has a strong history within the running community and has been taking place for over 40 years! Join a day of running, community spirit and exciting experiences.
- 13.1 miles road running + 751 ft ascent
- Sat 7 Feb
- £23-£35
The Highland Hotfoot | Half Marathon
Come and join in The Highland Hotfoot because who doesn't love those furry Highland Cows and therefore want a medal of them!
- 13.1 miles trail running
- Sat 7 Feb
- £26-£28
Lincoln Culture Run I | Half Marathon
Welcome to a 6-hour timed running event where you can run a 5K all the way up to an ultra marathon on an out-and-back route within the time limit, with fuel stations, medal and goody bag.
- 13.1 miles trail running + 132 ft ascent
- Sun 8 Feb
- £33-£38
Run for Cake
Back to Ferry Meadows Country Park for another 4 or 6-hour running challenge! Run as much as you want through the forest on a multi-terrain loop. Run, rest, then head out for some more.
- Multi-terrain run 2
- Sun 8 Feb
- £29-£31
Grim Leodis | Half Marathon
An undulating 6.5 mile loop with a mixture of canal tow path, river bank, trail and a road – a little bit of everything with beautiful sections of the Leeds Liverpool canal and River Aire.
- 13.1 miles trail running + 498 ft ascent
- Sun 8 Feb
- £32-£34
Portland Coastal Half Marathon
Taking place from the iconic Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, all abilities can take part in this festival of running in what is possibly the most stunning of coastal trail locations.
- 13.1 miles trail running + 1172 ft ascent
- Sun 8 Feb
- £33-£35
RUN Battersea Park Half Marathon Winter
Take on a flat and fast challenge through one of London’s most iconic green spaces — the perfect opportunity to chase a half marathon personal best this winter.
- 13.1 miles road running
- Sat 14 Feb
- £26-£28
Hull Culture Run I | Half Marathon
Welcome to a 6-hour timed running event where you can run a half marathon at your own pace on an out-and-back route, with fuel stations each lap, and a bespoke medal and goody bag at the finish.
- 13.1 miles trail running + 1038 ft ascent
- Sat 14 Feb
- £29-£31
Besotted at Bingley | Half Marathon
A trail race event that is flat and fast and perfect for a PB and also brilliant for a beginner or the runner who wants to do their own pace with bespoke medal and treats at the finish line.
- 13.1 miles trail running + 89 ft ascent
- Sat 14 Feb
- £23-£35
The Racoon Rocket Run | Half Marathon
Come and join The Racoon Rocket Run Half Marathon and earn yourself a beautiful medal with an adorable picture of a fluffy raccoon on it! What more could you ask for?
- 13.1 miles trail running
- Sun 15 Feb
- £37.50-£39.50
SoBo Series | Volume 2 | My Funny Valentine
Set along the beachfront promenade at Southbourne (SoBo), choose your own distance from 5K to ultra, along this flat, tarmacked, lapped route suitable for all abilities.
- 7 hrs road running
- Sun 15 Feb
- £35-£37
Hampton Court Half Marathon
This is the original Hampton Court Half Marathon and is run over a fast, flat and interesting course that borders the river-side grounds of the magnificent palace with King Henry VIII cheering on!
- 13.1 miles road running
- Sun 15 Feb
- £30-£32
Yorkshire Weekend Saunter in Rodley | Half Marathon
“Your Distance, Your Pace, Your Weekend”. Looking for a friendly, scenic half marathon in Yorkshire?
- 13.1 miles road running + 105 ft ascent
- Sun 15 Feb
- £39
Richmond Half Marathon Winter
Run in one of the most scenic half marathons in London from the Old Deer Park with a scenic backdrop of the River Thames, great vibe, top runner reviews, medal and goodies!
- 13.1 miles road running
- Sun 15 Feb
- £17-£29
Smurf Run | North | Half Marathon
Come and join the day of running and aim to complete a half marathon at your own pace on a scenic course then receive a fantastic Smurf-themed medal and goody bag at the finish!
- 13.1 miles trail running
- Sat 21 Feb
- £16-£35
The Rubber Ducky Dash
For this run, not only will you earn a super cute rubber duck themed medal, but also your very own rubber ducky to take home with you!
- Trail run
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- + 3 more races
- Sat 21 Feb
- £43-£45
Magna Carta Winter | Half Marathon
The Magna Carta Half Marathon is based in scenic Runnymede right near the historic site where the treaty of Magna Carta was agreed by King John of England and signed on 15th June 1215.
- 13.1 miles trail running + 110 ft ascent
- Sat 21 Feb
- £26-£37.50
Running Tribe Races | Feb | Half Marathon
A new and unique concept where you turn up ready to conquer a Half Marathon but if you're feeling great, tackle a Marathon, or go easy and run a cool 14km depending on how you feel on the day!
- 13.1 miles multi terrain running + 2631 ft ascent
- Sat 21 Feb
- £32-£34
Any Kind of Weather Runner | Half Marathon
Welcome to a 6-hour timed running event where you can run a 5K all the way up to an ultra marathon on an out-and-back route within the time limit, with fuel stations, medal and goody bag.
- 13.1 miles trail running
- Sun 22 Feb
- £27-£35
Thetford Festival of Running
New venue! Come and enjoy the paths, trails and woodland of Thetford Forest over the distance of your choice with fantastic support each lap and a medal at the finish!
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Trail run
- Half marathon 2
- Marathon
- + 1 more race
- Sun 22 Feb
- £15-£34
The Doughnut Dash | Northampton
Come and join The Doughnut Dash! At this event you can earn yourself a super fun medal along with some doughnuts at the finish line to celebrate your achievement!
- Trail run
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- + 3 more races
- Sun 22 Feb
- £16-£35
The Wacky Run
Time to get nostalgic with the Wacky Run! I'm sure a lot of us can remember this fun cartoon and some of the crazy characters such as Dick Dastardly and Muttley, Penelope Pitstop and The Ant Hill Mob.
- Road run
- 5K run
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- Marathon
- + 3 more races
- Sun 22 Feb
- £24-£26
Settle Half Marathon - Road Race
Run a brilliant scenic half marathon course from the Yorkshire village of Settle in the Yorkshire Dales. An absolute favourite in the running community.
- 13.1 miles road running + 1010 ft ascent
Half marathon blog
Guides, tips and advice on half marathons and running a half marathon.
- 10 mins read
Aim for a new half marathon PB
Looking for a new challenge? Taking on your fastest ever half marathon could be exactly the motivation you need to get out there and be more active outdoors!
- 10 mins read
The best runs that you've never heard of
To celebrate Global Running Day, we're rounding the best unsung marathons, half marathons and more in the UK!
- 5 mins read
Best autumn half marathons
Enjoy the sensational atmospheres and fast courses at these half marathon races, from the world's biggest half to the UK's fastest half marathon.
- 5 mins read
4 reasons why the Hackney Half is the ideal charity challenge
Fusing fast running with an electric atmosphere and community spirit, the Hackney Half celebrates the very best of East London.
- 10 mins read
Running your first half marathon
Signing up to a half marathon for the first time can be both exciting and daunting in equal measure! This guide will run you through how to train for it and what to expect on the day.
- 5 mins read
How long is a half marathon anyway?
The short answer: 13.1 miles. Understanding what that looks and feels like isn't that simple, though, so we've set out what it's like to run a half marathon bit by bit!
- 10 mins read
What is the best half marathon near me?
Looking for a half marathon this year? This is your guide to the best half marathons in the UK, organised into regions so you can find a race near you!
- 5 mins read
Your guide to the London Landmarks Half Marathon
The only half marathon to run through Westminster and the City of London, this is a fantastic race touring the capital's most iconic landmarks. This is everything you need to know about the race!
- 5 mins read
Great North Run: the complete race-day guide
First GNR or chasing a PB? Here’s your at-a-glance route brief, start-line plan, pacing tips and race-day logistics.
- 10 mins read
13 reasons to run the Great North Run
Electric crowds, the Tyne Bridge roar and a finish by the sea - here’s why GNR belongs on your bucket list.
Half marathon FAQs
Answers to common questions about running a half marathon.
A half marathon is 13.1 miles or 21.1 kilometres — a challenging but achievable step up from doing a 10K run.
Most runners need 8–12 weeks of consistent training, depending on fitness and experience.
Many first-time runners aim for 2 to 2.5 hours, though times vary with pace, terrain and conditions.
Yes — many UK events welcome newcomers with supportive crowds, clear signage and flat, friendly routes. Read our guide to running your first half marathon.
Great question. Use filters to select your date, location and terrain, then look for course profiles that match your goals — flat for PBs, scenic for a memorable run or trail for adventure.
Many events offer pacers to guide runners to target times — filter by 'Pacers' and check individual event listings for details.
Don't get carried away with kit! The most important items are comfortable running shoes, decent socks and moisture-wicking clothing though trail events may require extra gear. Make sure you try everything out a few times before race day.
Yes — thousands of runners take on half marathons to fundraise for charity, with many events offering dedicated charity places. Find a charity place on our charity half marathons page and find out how your miles can make a difference.
Most UK half marathons set a minimum age of 17, but rules vary by organiser — always check the event details.
Yes — many runners travel to Europe for fast courses, great weather and unforgettable city races. Explore popular options on our European half marathons page.
Find a half marathon near you
Looking for events in a specific place? Explore our guides to half marathons in towns, cities and regions across the UK.