If you’re not used to running long distances like a half marathon, the months of training, slowly building up your stamina, and adding miles one at a time to your long runs can feel grueling. So standing at the starting line is an accomplishment in and of itself. When you turn that final corner and race toward the finish line, though, months of emotions will hit you all at once.
But which half marathon should be your first? All half marathons are not created equal and there are definitely some that offer more beginner-friendly courses and atmospheres than others. For example, save races with massive hills or scorching sun for later in your racing career, and opt for those with big, supportive crowds and flat routes to get you to through 13.1.
With hundreds of half marathons hosted in the U.S. each year, selecting the best race to run first can be tricky. To help you narrow it down, we’ve compiled a list of twelve half marathons that are perfect for beginners. Give our list a read, pay that registration fee, and get training for your first half marathon.
Houston Half Marathon
Date: January 11, 2026
Location: Houston, Texas
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Best Recovery Shoes long-distance running given that it’s notoriously hot, the Houston Half Marathon is run in the dead of winter, where you might even need to break out a hat and gloves for that early morning start. The course is so flat that pros earned both the men’s and women’s U.S. half marathon records on this course. And given that Houston is America’s fourth largest city, there will be plenty of crowd support.
Another underrated aspect to Houston is that because it happens in January, you’ll avoid most of the summer heat and winter snow while training, something that can’t be said of most spring and fall races.
Louisiana Half Marathon
Date: January 18, 2026
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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Half Marathon Training winter half-marathon, and if you’re someone who gets overwhelmed by big crowds and big cities, this might be a bit more your speed than Houston.
The race starts and ends near Louisiana’s capitol building and winds its way through Baton Rouge in a scenic (but fairly flat) loop course. One thing that only the Louisiana Half Marathon boasts is a live tiger presiding over the race—some real motivation to run. The course also runs through the campus of Louisiana State University.
Surf City Half Marathon
Date: Strength Training for a Half Marathon
Location: Huntington Beach, California
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If you’re looking for the most straightforward, easy to maneuver course, the Surf City Half Marathon in Huntington Beach, just south of Los Angeles might be the race for you. Run on the Pacific Coast Highway, the half marathon is a simple out-and-back without any twists and turns. Simply run 6.5 miles down the beach one way, turn around, and run 6.5 miles back.
You’ll have the sea breeze keeping you cool and no real hills to contend with. Another perk of an out-and-back is that you get plenty of great people watching. Whenever you get bored, you can just look across the median at your fellow half marathoners.
Disney Princess Half Marathon
Date: March 2, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida
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While many race organizers plan their half marathons and marathons with more seasoned runners in mind, runDisney builds their races so that beginners January 18, 2026.
Disney hosts a number of half marathons each year, so you can choose the one that fits your schedule best. If you love a theme though, the Disney Princess Half Marathon is a great opportunity to plan a cute Disney princess-themed running outfit and run through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot with hundreds of other Disney fans.
The Disney half marathons are also great for spectators, as fans usually get into Magic Kingdom before the park opens for free so they can cheer on their loved ones. (Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean you can stay for the rides!)
NYC Half Marathon
Date: RW+ Membership Benefits
Location: January 18, 2026
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The United Airlines NYC Half is not an easy course, but what it lacks in ease it more than makes up for in energy. Starting in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, the half sends runners over the Manhattan Bridge (though the 2025 race sent runners over the Brooklyn Bridge, which may be here to stay!) and along the Hudson River before turning toward Times Square. With only a few miles to go, you’ll race through the glowing billboards and up to the finish line in Central Park.
While there are a number of hills located in this 13.1, you’ll hit a long one toward the beginning of the race in Prospect Park and then again over the bridge into Manhattan.
To push you through, the New York crowds cheering are one of a kind. It’s the perfect way to start your half marathon racing with a bang.
Greater St. Louis Half Marathon
Date: April 11, 2026
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
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The middle of America is known for being flat as a pancake, so it makes sense that the courses out in St. Louis, Missouri, are fairly easy when it comes to terrain. St. Louis’s marquee half marathon does a good job of keeping the course interesting without introducing hills into the mix.
The loop-course weaves all around downtown St. Louis, sending runners past the St. Louis Arch and the Mississippi River before finishing near Memorial Plaza. If you’ve never visited the Arch, this half also offers the perfect excuse for a nice visit to the “Gateway to the West” as well.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Half Marathon
Date: Courtesy Mystic Half Marathon
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
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The Rock ‘n’ Roll race series offers a number of excellent options for first-time half-marathon runners. Their races, as the name implies, bring in a musical element with concerts at the starting and finish lines, as well as plenty of entertainment along the course.
Of their half marathons, Nashville’s is one of the most exciting given that Nashville is, after all, “the music city.” You’ll race by the honkey tonk bars on Broadway and through the scenic downtown all while local bands serenade you. While the course is a bit hilly with about 575 feet of elevation gain, there’s plenty of entertainment to distract you from it.
500 Festival Mini-Marathon
Date: May 2, 2026
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
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Like Missouri, Indiana is another notoriously flat state, which makes Indianapolis’s marquee half marathon (or mini marathon as they brand it) another hill-free half great for a first-timer. While Indiana hosts numerous half marathons every year, only the 500 Mini Marathon sends runners on a loop of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of the Indy 500. Thankfully for runners, you’ll only have to run 13.1 miles that day rather than 500.
Mystic Half Marathon
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Location: Mystic, Connecticut
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If you’re going to run your first half marathon, you might as well run it somewhere known for having great pizza—and Mystic, Connecticut, the home of Mystic Pizza, certainly knows a great pie.
This half provides plenty of small-town charm while showcasing one of New England’s loveliest seaside towns. You’ll get to run past the Mystic Seaport, over the Mystic Drawbridge, and end in front of the Mystic Aquarium.
While the course is a bit hilly in the middle with some rolling hills, you’ll mostly be running downhill for the back half of the race, which always makes things easier.
Madison Mini-Marathon
Date: August 8, 2026
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
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If you’ve never been to Madison, you’re missing out. Wisconsin’s capital is a midwestern beauty nestled between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. The tree-lined city is host to both Wisconsin’s Capitol Building as well as the University of Wisconsin—and there’s no better time to visit than in the summer.
This relatively flat course gives runners a nice tour of Madison, starting and finishing near the Library Mall. After you cross the finish line and collect your medal, you’ll be able to celebrate with some local Wisconsin beer.
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Half Marathon
Date: September 13, 2025
Location: January 18, 2026
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If you’re nervous about running your first half marathon and want a little extra time, the Bar Harbor Half Marathon provides an early start to walkers who might not be covering the course quite as quickly.
The scenic course starts and ends in the picturesque coastal town of Bar Harbor, but ascends into Acadia National Park around mile two. While this does mean that the course is a bit more hilly, the shady forest groves will keep you nice and cool and the back half of the course is downhill into town.
Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon
Date: April 11, 2026
Location: Detroit, Michigan
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The International Half Marathon’s course is one of the most exciting in the nation. Starting in downtown Detroit, runners head over the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Canada before returning to the U.S. via a tunnel under the Detroit River. You will have to complete a passport check at the race expo, but it’s well worth it for this one-of-a-kind racing experience.
Just make sure you sign up for the right Detroit half marathon, because the International Half crosses into Canada while the Motor City Half follows the back half of the marathon’s course and stays in the U.S.
Master the Half Marathon
