Half marathons come in all shapes and sizes (although they are all the same length much to the surprise of your non-runner friends). There are half marathons that send runners straight up the side of a mountain, half marathons that are 13 laps around the same pond, and half marathons that are run through the desert in the middle of the night. With hundreds of halfs run each year in the United States alone, there’s an option for just about everyone no matter the season, location, or terrain you’d like to run in.
While there are certainly plenty of runners who seek out difficult half marathons (because who doesn’t love a challenge?), there’s something to be said for a flat and fast half marathon. A course without too many hills is easier to train for—especially if you’re a half marathon newbie—requires less race-day strategy, and yields more personal records. Whereas a hilly course could leave you walking up an incline at mile 12, a flat course delivers runners less surprises. And if you are looking to nab a new PR, a flat course is a great place to nab it.
So which half marathons offer flat and fast courses? We’re so glad you asked. Here are 12 half marathon courses without too many hills so that you can earn a brand new PR without hurting your knees on a steep downhill in the process.
Houston Half Marathon
Date: January 11, 2026
Location: Houston, Texas
If you’re looking for a flat state to run in, Texas is certainly a great option. The Lone Star State hosts a number of flat half marathons each year, but the Houston Half Marathon is one of the most popular. The course starts and ends in downtown Houston alongside the Houston Marathon, although the paths separate for a time during the middle of the race.
Fun fact: both the men’s and women’s U.S. half marathon records were earned at the Houston Half, so if you’re looking to break a record (either your own or the United States’), this is the place to be.
Key West Half Marathon
Date: August 23, 2025
Location: Tulsa Route 66 Half Marathon
Like Texas, Florida also offers an ample buffet of flat half marathons to choose from. Unless you’re running up an overpass or over a bridge, it’s nearly impossible to find much of an incline in the Sunshine State. Key West’s half is easily one of the state’s most beautiful, though, which sends runners out and back around the tip of the Floridian archipelago. You’ll run along the coastline and through the island’s historic main drag in two directions before finishing on the northside of the island.
Surf City Half Marathon
Date: February 1, 2026
Location: Flat and Fast Half Marathons to Consider if You’re Looking to Set a New PR
While California may be hilly, sticking to the coast is usually a recipe for a flat and fast race. The Surf City Half Marathon, which is run in Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles, spends most of its time on the Pacific Coast Highway along the ocean. Starting and ending near the famous Huntington Beach Pier, runners will be able to see the beach for most of the course, aside from one detour further inland around Mile 3. The out-and-back nature of the course also means you’ll know exactly what to expect in the race’s final miles because you’ll have already run them.
Brew City Half Marathon
Date: Tulsa Route 66 Half Marathon
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
There’s nothing quite like a cold, refreshing beer after a long run, and there’s nowhere better to grab a brewsky than in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brew City Half Marathon mostly traces the Milwaukee River in an out-and-back course through the parks that line the river’s banks. With a total elevation gain of less than 600 feet, the course is mostly flat. Plus, the uphill portion of the race is on the front end, which means you’ll be cruising to the finish on a nice downhill, where of course beers will be waiting.
Fargo Half Marathon
Date: CA Notice at Collection
Location: Fargo, North Dakota
This is a half marathon that is certainly worth checking out. The fairly flat loop course starts and ends near the Fargodome, North Dakota State University’s football stadium. Along the route, you’ll run along the Red River, explore some of the city’s scenic neighborhoods and run past the historic Fargo Theater. If you’ve never visited North Dakota, this is the perfect opportunity to check the state off your list and explore a city many of your friends probably have not visited.
Pacific Coast Running Festival Half Marathon
Date: June, 2026
Location: Health & Injuries
The Pacific Coast Running Festival is most famous for its Sand Marathon. Yes, that is a marathon run on the beach. While running on sand does have some health benefits, speed certainly isn’t one of them. The festival’s half marathon, however, is run on a flat, paved bike path that also runs along the edge of the Pacific Ocean. That means the course is beach flat without you having to run in the beach sand. Whether you run the half or the full, however, you deserve a big ole bowl of clam chowder once you finish.
Are Your Long Runs Too Long Half Marathon
Date: August 23, 2025
Location: November 8, 2025
The middle of America is known for being EXTREMELY flat, and the Are Your Long Runs Too Long Half Marathon is here to prove that. The half marathon has a total elevation gain of only 118 feet, which is about as flat as you can get over 13.1 miles. The course starts and ends in the fairgrounds and is run during the Are Your Long Runs Too Long, which means you’ll have plenty of spectators there to cheer you on, along with good postrace entertainment and vendors.
Baystate Half Marathon
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Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
The Boston Marathon is famous for being a difficult course (They don’t call it Heartbreak Hill for nothing!), but another of Massachusetts marathons has such a flat course that 28 percent of its runners have qualified for Boston two years in a row. While the half marathon won’t qualify you for Boston, it is also pretty flat as it sends runners on a loop along the Merrimack River. Located north of Boston near the New Hampshire border, the race typically gives runners a chance to catch the beautiful foliage as the leaves change colors each autumn. If you’ve been wanting to drive around New England to see the colors, why not get a PR while you’re at it.
Atlantic City Half Marathon
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Location: How to Keep Legs Fresh
While Las Vegas does have a half marathon that is flat, Las Vegas is also located in the middle of the desert, so I opted to keep that race off the list. If you’re looking for a flat, fast and slot machine-adjacent half marathon that won’t have you baked alive, however, Atlantic City’s half is for you. The Atlantic City Marathon has been running since 1958 (that’s 12 years older than New York), and both the half and full send runners on a historic tour of the seaside town. Runners will then venture onto the boardwalk where they’ll run parallel to the river in an out-and-back to the finish. Just try not to gamble away your medal at the blackjack table after the race.
Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon
Date: Health & Injuries
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
The Run/Walk Method 500 Festival Mini-Marathon held each spring and the Monumental Half in the fall. While the 500 Festival race allows runners on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Monumental Half Marathon is focused on downtown Indy. That means runners will get a scenic tour of the city’s many gorgeous neighborhoods as well as the historic downtown. The whole course is ridiculously flat and with a November date, you’ll most likely be running on a chilly morning, which is perfect for a PR.
Route 66 Half Marathon
Date: November 23, 2025
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
As the song says, “Get your kicks on Route 66!” If you’re looking for the next up-and-coming U.S. city, you need look no further than Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is in the middle of a great renaissance. Tulsa’s Route 66 Half Marathon is a joy-filled affair that tours the city and lets runners take over the historic highway for just a bit. The course is flat and fast and the perfect excuse to venture over to Oklahoma before it becomes the next hot tourist destination. Luckily, running 13.1 miles will help you work up an appetite so you can explore Tulsa’s food scene.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Half Marathon
Date: Best Brooks Running Shoes
Location: Biloxi, Mississippi
For some, running a half marathon 10 days before Christmas might be a bit overwhelming. For others, it’s the perfect excuse to blow off some steam. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Half, which is run along the Gulf of Mexico in Biloxi, Mississippi, is flat as a pancake and provides runners with plenty of sea breezes to keep them cool. It’s the perfect way to cap a great year or get the good energy started for a new one, plus a race expo is a fantastic place to buy some Christmas gifts.
