1. Alabama
Location: Birmingham, AL
Date: Sunday, February 12, 2017
Four thousand runners will take on this popular half-marathon course through Alabama’s largest city. Scan for sights on-the-go including the Birmingham Museum of Art, 16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the very hilly Highland Park neighborhood around mile 8. Registration fee: $70-90 (Photo: Pond5)
2. Alaska
Location: Anchorage, AK
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2016
Celebrate the upcoming summer solstice (and its 19 hours and 22 minutes of sunlight) at Alaska’s biggest half-marathon. With stunning views of Mt. McKinley on the clearest days, you’ll experience the wilderness and tough trails of the Last Frontier — in a whole new light. Registration fee: $50-$65 (Photo: goseawolves.com)
3. Arizona
Location: Sedona, AZ
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2017
The 4,500 feet above sea level elevation may make it hard to catch your breath at this challenging half-marathon. While the scenic red rocks and gorgeous valleys along the 13.1 miles of paved and dirt roads make it worth the extra effort, they may also be to blame for taking your breath away. Registration fee: $60-$95 (Photo: Sedona Half Marathon)
4. Arkansas
Location: Little Rock, AR
Date: Sunday, March 6, 2016
This self-proclaimed “epic” race (it says so on the finisher’s medal!) invites up to 6,200 runners to trek through the downtown area of Little Rock and along the Arkansas River. It’s one of the state’s most popular running events with nearly 20,000 annual spectators coming out to cheer you on. Registration fee: $70-$100 (Photo: Little Rock Marathon)
5. California
Location: Sonoma, CA
Date: Sunday, July 17, 2016
Like running? Love wine? Those are the only requirements for this point-to-point half-marathon through the rolling vineyards of California wine country. It starts at Cuvaison Estate Wines and ends with wine tastings in Sonoma Plaza. But don’t worry, there’s also a chardonnay stop at mile 10! Registration fee: $165 for individuals and $160 for team participants; sold out ( Photo: TJ Nelson)
6. Colorado
Location: Snowmass Village, CO
Date: Saturday, September 24, 2016
Hailed by magazines like Colorado Runner and Trail Runner, this Snowmass Village-to-Aspen half-marathon attracts serious runners and leaf peepers alike. Expect major elevation changes and tough backcountry trails through the Rocky Mountain ski areas, all surrounded by the brilliant colors of the fall foliage season. Registration fee: $75 (Photo:goldenleafrace.com)
7. Connecticut
Location: Fairfield, CT
Date: Sunday, June 26, 2016
This beachfront half-marathon has been a popular annual event since 1981. These days, up to 5,000 runners come out to Connecticut’s Jennings Beach each year on the first official weekend of summer. You’ll race along the water, over a few bridges and past the impressive area homes on this out-and-back course. Registration fee: $55-$67 (Photo:Pond5)
8. Delaware
Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2016
It may be a chilly, little winter race but this coastal half-marathon has a lot of charm. The out-and-back course starts and finishes on the beach town’s historic boardwalk and features a stretch along the Junction and Breakwater Trail, which used to serve as a railroad line. Registration fee: $100 (Photo: Dave Frederick / A Simple Running Log)
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9. Florida
Location: Orlando, FL
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2017
Show off your sparkliest tiara and join Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and the rest of the Disney princesses (plus some 13,000 other runners) at this magical 13.1-mile run. You never know which of your favorite characters might be hanging around Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot®, so be sure to bring a camera! Registration fee: $160-$190; sold out (Photo: Disney Sports)
10. Georgia
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: Thursday, November 24, 2016
Get a head start on burning off the gravy-soaked calories with this Thanksgiving Day race, one of the largest half-marathons in the country. You’ll have to make your way past Atlanta landmarks like Centennial Olympic Park before getting to the finish line — and the turkey and pie! Registration fee: $60 (Photo: Atlanta Track Club)
11. Hawaii
Location: Waikiki Beach, HI
Date: Sunday, April 9, 2017
Its name means “half” in Hawaiian so it’s no surprise this three-year-old race (organized by the same team behind the Honolulu Marathon) already considers itself the half-marathon to run in the Aloha State. The 13.1 miles of paradise on Oahu’s south shore includes a loop around Diamond Head, Honolulu’s most famous volcano. Registration fee: $117-$160 (Photo: The Happula)
12. Idaho
Location: Boise, ID
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2016
Considered the “toughest half-marathon in the Northwest,” this race has been a spring tradition in the Boise foothills for more than 30 years. Keep your head up as you climb, climb and climb some more — all the way up to Aldape Summit, for an elevation gain of 2,072 feet in the course. Registration fee: $50 (Photo: Sawtooth Photo Pros)
13. Illinois
Chicago Half Marathon
Location: Chicago, IL
Date: Sunday, September 25, 2016
Take an exclusive tour of the Windy City (by foot) at the only race in Chicago that shuts down the busy Lake Shore Drive completely. This traffic-free stretch offers runners views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan, but you’ll also get to visit Jackson Park and Hyde Park along the course. Registration fee: $85-$135 (Photo: Chicago Half Marathon)
14. Indiana
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Date: Saturday, May 7, 2016
Start your engines for the largest half-marathon in the country, with 35,000 participants! Just don’t waste all of your fuel on the lap around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedwayat the halfway point. There’s still the “Victory Mile” to the finish line on New York Street in downtown Indy. Registration fee: $85 (Photo: 500festival)
15. Iowa
Location: Marathon, IA
Date: Saturday, June 11, 2016
It may only be 13.1 miles, but you’ll be heading toward a marathon at this race — the finish line at Marathon, IA, that is. Expect a fun, small town vibe as less than 300 residents call Marathon home. The few hundred runners who roll into town for the race nearly double its size! Registration fee: $45 (Photo: Marathon2Marathon)
16. Kansas
Location: Olathe, KS
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2016
There’s no place like… Kansas for a half-marathon that’s fit for fans of The Wizard of Oz. Fly through the speedy, flat race (with a few wicked rolling hills) alongside some costumed Dorothys and Tin Men. The loop course also travels along some historic wagon trails early settlers used to go west to California, Oregon and Santa Fe. Registration fee: $60-$106 (Photo: Garmin Marathon)
17. Kentucky
Location: Lexington, KY
Date: Saturday, April 1, 2017
Join 5,000 runners and horse racing enthusiasts for one of “America’s prettiest half-marathons” through the picturesque Thoroughbred Farms of Kentucky. The rural race starts at Keeneland Race Course, where the 2003 film Seabiscuit was filmed. While there may not be many spectators, expect plenty of horses that’ll motivate you to keep trottin’.Registration fee: $70-$105 (Photo: Run the Bluegrass)
18. Louisiana
Location: New Orleans, LA
Date: Sunday, February 5, 2016
Put your party pants (and beads) on to hightail it from downtown New Orleans, to the beautiful Garden District, back through the world-famous French Quarter and to the finish in New Orleans City Park. The Rock ‘n’ Roll race series is known for its high-energy entertainment, so you’ll love running to the beat of local Big Easy jazz. Registration fee: $75 (Photo: Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans)
19. Maine
Location: Portland, ME
Date: Saturday, July 9, 2016
It’s like you’re running through a New England postcard (with 3,500 other runners) at this coastal half-marathon through Portland. If the nautical sights of sailboats, lobster boats and tiny little islands all around Casco Bay aren’t enough, how does Shipyard Brewing Company beer at the finish line sound? Registration fee: $63 (Photo: Game Face Media)
20. Maryland
Location: Baltimore, MD
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2016
More than 10,000 runners come out each year for a loop around Charm City at this popular urban half-marathon. You’ll pass Patterson Park, climb the hills up to Lake Montebello and run by Johns Hopkins University before cruising into the finish at Camden Yards, home of the Orioles and the Ravens. Registration fee: $105-$130 (Photo: Baltimore Half Marathon)
21. Massachusetts
Location: Boston, MA
Date: Sunday, May 29, 2016
This 10th annual half-marathon honors Boston’s fallen law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and takes more than 6,000 runners on a trip around downtown Boston. The race starts and ends at the Seaport World Trade Center, and includes city landmarks like the Charles River, Massachusetts State House and Boston Common. Registration fee: $90-$105 (Photo: Boston’s Run to Remember)
22. Michigan
Location: Detroit, MI
Date: Sunday, October 16, 2016
Technically, this may be one of the best half-marathons in the U.S. and In its 37th year, more than 16,000 runners will motor through the mostly flat urban streets and cross the Detroit River (and international border) twice via the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Registration fee: $100-$120 (Photo: Detroit Marathon)
23. Minnesota
Location: Duluth, MN
Date: Saturday, June 18 2016
The half-marathon counterpart of the beloved Grandma’s Marathon, this 13.1-mile race covers the second half of the gorgeous course. The point-to-point run is named after a local Olympian and follows Old Highway 61 along the beautiful, shimmering waters of Lake Superior. Registration fee: $85 (Photo: Jeff Frey & Associates, courtesy of Grandma’s Marathon)
24. Mississippi
Location: Greenville, MS
Date: Saturday, February 13, 2016
Imagine the mighty views as you run right up and over the Mississippi River on the HWY 82 Bridge at the start of this new point-to-point half-marathon. In fact, it’s the only actual hill in the entire course! Only in its second year, the race is already earning a reputation as one of the flattest (and hopefully fastest) in the country. Registration fee: $60-$105 (Photo: Mississippi River Half Marathon)
25. Missouri
Location: Louis, MO
Date: Sunday, April 10, 2016
The runner’s high comes early in this 14th annual half-marathon, one of the largest in the country with 12,000 runners. Catch a straight-on view of The Lou’s Gateway Arch at the starting line. Smell the hops from Anheuser-Busch Brewery at mile 2. And hear the roar of the crowd outside Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, at mile 5.5. Registration fee: $70-$110 (Photo: Karen Martinez)
(To be continued)
USA Records Organization_USKINGS are still collecting more information from many sources and it is our pleasure listening to everybody's comments to have a full evaluation on the USA Record Top: “The 50 Best Half-Marathons in the U.S. (Part 1 )“
Arcording to dailyburn.com
USA RECORDS ORGANIZATION_USKINGS
