Fun Half Marathons to Run in 2025

If you’ve ever twisted yourself inside out to beat a time goal, you know some marathons are fun only in retrospect. But under the right circumstances, a marathon can be a 26.2-mile-long block party with an abundance of tiny shorts and strange catering. Races like these aren’t just for first-timers or back-of-the-packers—who hasn’t had their spirits buoyed by on-course entertainment?—but those runners make up an increasingly large proportion of marathon finishers.

Since 1980, average marathon times have gotten slower (by 44 minutes for men and 38 minutes for women), a result of runners of all abilities joining in. According to Running USA’s 2015 National Runner Survey, only 14.6 percent of runners classified themselves as “serious, competitive runners,” while 49.6 percent self-identified as “fun runners.”

Races are taking notice of this shift. “If you live in an urban or suburban area, on any given weekend there will be any number of races within a 20-mile radius,” says Rich Harshbarger, president of Running USA. “Races need to find a way to stand out, and they’re doing that by promoting their race experience.” To enjoy going 26.2, choose one of these 10 races, where every mile is a blast. (Whether you’re having fun or going for a time goal, Runner’s World has a training plan Fun Half Marathons to Run in 2025.)

Where: Orlando, Florida

DAA Industry Opt Out: 20,000

Register: rundisney.com

“The Disney Marathon was really the first marathon to focus on the race as an experience,” says race director Jon Hughes. Before 20,000 runners pass through all four Walt Disney World parks, entertainers of all stripes—costumed characters, live bands, acrobats, comedians—post up at each half-mile. There’s no need to tote your smartphone: Every character station has a pro photographer assigned to it, but lines may form for midrace pics with the most popular personalities. Luckily, the course has a seven-hour time limit. (Each runner must maintain a 16:00 mile pace throughout the race.) Runners must be in their corrals a half hour before the 5:30 a.m. start time, so prepare for an early morning, and handle your bathroom needs beforehand—there are no porta-potties in the corrals.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: These Are the World’s Fastest Marathoners.

Where: Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

DAA Industry Opt Out: 2,200

Register: runsurfcity.com

It’s tough to hang loose in spandex, but 19 miles of Pacific Ocean views, classic surf bands, and sunny, mid-50s SoCal weather will put you in a mellow mood. Much of the race utilizes a paved beachfront path. “You’re on the sand just feet away from people surfing, but it’s paved,” says Amy Tomchak, the general manager for the race. “Plus the surfers get really into cheering the runners on.” The tubular theme carries through the entire weekend: You can pose on a surfboard cresting a wave at the expo, earn a board-shaped medal when you finish, and celebrate with a free beer at the postrace party.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: The approximately 2,200 marathoners share much of the first half of the course with 17,000 half-marathoners.

Where: Burlington, Vermont

DAA Industry Opt Out: 2,500

Register: runvermont.org

Though the college kids have packed up for the summer, Burlington retains its funky vibe: expect to see local garage bands, cheerleading drag queens, and suburban residents passing out ice pops and blasting music. “You’ll probably see some people in wigs and jean shorts that shouldn’t be wearing short jean shorts,” says Peter Delaney, the executive director of RunVermont, which facilitates the race. Taiko drummers urge runners up the route’s biggest incline, mile 15’s Battery Hill. The race finishes on Lake Champlain with beer and bands. If it's a warmer day, you’ll likely see lots runners taking the “polar bear plunge” and jumping into the lake.We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: The cloverleaf-shaped course means friends and family can see you five times without leaving the connected Battery and Waterfront Parks.

Where: Nutrition - Weight Loss

DAA Industry Opt Out: 350

Register: hatfieldmccoymarathontvrrc.com

This hot, hilly race passes through historical sites and rural Appalachian towns where Main Streets are just a block long, stoplights are scarce, and the locals dress up their livestock for the 350 runners’ amusement. Before the start, organizers assign every entrant to a team—half are Hatfields and the other half McCoys (like the families involved in the infamous feud). Whichever group finishes with a faster average race time wins. There aren’t many hotels nearby, so book your room early. Race director Alexis Batausa says he’s working on securing a camping option, but it’s not yet a done deal.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: A man who lives between miles eight and nine claims to own the world’s smallest horse and encourages runners to snap a selfie with it.

Where: The 2025 Marathon and Half Marathon Calendar

DAA Industry Opt Out: 125

Register: calicoracing.com

The course runs point-to-point through the desert on the Extraterrestrial Highway—yes, that’s its official name—beneath a full moon, shooting stars, and (maybe) some UFOs. The road remains open to traffic, so front and rear lights are required for all runners, but the small field (about 125 entrants) is more likely to encounter cows than cars. The course is a “Hershey’s Kiss” shape, says race director Joyce Forier, meaning it climbs for the first half, then peaks and is slightly downhill to the finish. Reward yourself at the end with a free buffet breakfast from 1:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. outside the Little A’Le’Inn (get it?) restaurant. Alien-themed costumes are encouraged.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: Bring your own water bottle to refill at aid stations, and remember to eat: the race doesn’t start until midnight, so you’ll need a postdinner snack.

Where: Bordeaux, France

DAA Industry Opt Out: 7,800

Register: marathondumedoc.com

At this 26.2-mile jaunt through 23 of Bordeaux’s famous vineyards, getting to the finish line without getting totally blitzed is part of the challenge. “I believe there were 15 to 19 wine stops…I really lost count,” says Trevor Foale, who lives in the UK and ran the race in 2014. He and his friends had to skip some of the wine stops to make sure they didn’t overdo it. In addition to standard food and water, aid stations serve wine, cheese, pâté, and other delicacies. Admire the 59 chateaus along the route as well as your fellow runners—costumes are serious business here, with a different theme each year.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: More than 50 percent of the field speaks English, so the most foreign part of the race may be the kilometer distance markings. (And the wine.)

Where: Carnation, Washington

DAA Industry Opt Out: 4,700

Register: beattheblerch.com

References to Matthew Inman’s web comic The Oatmeal that inspired this out-and-back, nontechnical trail race show up at the aid stations (which offer couches, cake, and “magical grape beverage”) and on the course (where the Blerch—a guy in a fat suit—chases runners). “I wore the suit for one of the races last year and I started out slowly, because I thought it was going to be hot,” Inman says. “But at the halfway point I realized I felt great and started really picking it up. I was passing all kinds of people…I hope I delivered some chubby inspiration.” The marathon (along with a half and 10K) runs on both Saturday and Sunday, and the very last finishers in each race win a cake.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: One year, a person dressed as a Sasquatch jumped out of the woods at several points to scare runners, so keep your guard up.

Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota

DAA Industry Opt Out: 8,900

Register: tcmevents.org

Runners aren’t the only competitors here—cheer groups vie to be named most-spirited, which has led at least one to organize a carnival (complete with pony rides) along the course. The point-to-point route includes a sunrise pass along Lake Calhoun, plenty of fall foliage, and few hills—between 13 and 14 percent of runners qualify for Boston here each year. At mile 2.5 you’ll pass former Minnesota Viking Alan Page playing his tuba, something he’s done for the last 15 to 20 years.We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: The incline at mile 21 may feel never-ending, but it’s only three-tenths of a mile long—and it’s your last major uphill before the finish.