The USA has hundreds of half marathons. These five are the ones in our race list that are worth planning a trip around: big cities, well-known courses and good organisation.
Things that work differently in the US
- Distances are in miles. A half marathon is 13.1 miles, and course markers and pace groups usually go by the mile. The pace calculator does both.
- Collect your bib at the expo. Most races ask you to pick it up in person in the days before, with photo ID. Check whether race-morning pickup exists. It usually doesn't.
- Early starts. Many US races start at 7am or earlier, and warm-weather races even earlier. Plan breakfast and transport around that.
- Bag rules. Big races often limit what you can bring to the start, sometimes to a clear bag they give you. Read the race's runner guide.
- Travel paperwork. If you're coming from abroad, check what you need to enter the US well before you book. Some visitors need an approved travel authorisation or visa before they fly.
The races
NYC Half MarathonThe big one. Brooklyn, over the Manhattan Bridge, through Times Square and into Central Park. Cold in March, and entry is mostly by drawing.
Sun 21 Mar 2027Race day 3–10°CNew York, USAFly into New York (JFK/EWR/LGA)Entry: check
How to get in: Drawing usually runs late Oct to mid Nov (2026's ran 21 Oct–11 Nov 2025). Check nyrr.orgHapalua Half MarathonHawaii's half marathon, run by the Honolulu Marathon team. Warm, early start, open entry. Good if you want a race and a beach holiday.
Sun 11 Apr 2027Race day 21–27°CHonolulu, USAFly into Honolulu (HNL)Open
How to get in: Yes, registration openChicago 13.1 Half MarathonFlat, along the lakefront, in June. Can be warm, so expect an early start.
Sun 6 Jun 2027Race day 16–25°CChicago, USAFly into Chicago (ORD/MDW)Entry: check
How to get in: Check the official siteB.A.A. Half MarathonRun by the Boston Marathon organisers, through the Emerald Necklace parks in November. Cool and leafy.
Sun 8 Nov 2026Race day 4–12°CBoston, USAFly into Boston (BOS)Entry: check
How to get in: Check the official siteLos Angeles Charity Half MarathonRuns on the LA Marathon route from Dodger Stadium. Small, and places are charity-only, with a fundraising minimum.
Sun 7 Mar 2027Race day 12–20°CLos Angeles, USAFly into Los Angeles (LAX)Entry: check
How to get in: Charity place only, with a fundraising minimum of about $650–675Want a full marathon instead? New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles and Honolulu are in our major marathons on every continent guide.
Find the race that suits you
7 questions, about a minute
Race details come from our race database, checked against organisers' sites including NYRR, Honolulu Marathon, B.A.A., Chicago Marathon and LA Marathon in October 2026. Temperatures are typical averages, not forecasts.