Most of the course is run in Golden Gate Park and along the Great Highway, with incredible ocean and city views the entire way. The post-race party at City Park is sure to do New Orleans proud, and you can enjoy all the French Quarter has to offer before and after your run.Ĭonsidered one of the most scenic half marathons in the U.S., the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon has been named the road race of the year by the Road Runners Club of America. Enjoy getting a taste of Cajun culture on this point-to-point half marathon course with lots of local musicians along the route. This one just happens to take place across 13.1 miles in one of the country’s most unique cities. Humana Rock ’n’ Roll New Orleans Half Marathon The route offers a good taste of Austin, with both funky neighborhoods, the urban downtown and the University of Texas campus all featured prominently. The course features rolling hills-but with a net drop of about 500 feet on this point-to-point course, you’ll find yourself going downhill much of the way. More than 7,000 runners will converge on the Texas capital for this 22nd annual race. Runners will enjoy a flat and fast course that tours both downtown Key West as well as scenic parts of the island, with ocean views nearly the entire route. Key West is known for its laid-back attitude, so you can’t be too disappointed if you don’t hit a PR at this 19th annual event that draws 2,500 people each year to the island that’s closer to Cuba than Miami.

Because the distance is so popular, sign up quickly for the ones you want to run. Here are our favorite can’t-miss halfs in 2017. Sure, it’s considered an ideal amount of miles to run, both because it’s still a big challenge but not overwhelmingly so like a marathon. Running 13.1 miles is far and away the most popular racing distance nowadays.

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