Running Events
Half Marathons
Half MarathonsHalf Marathons
A half-marathon is 13.1 miles or 21.1km long. It is a hugely popular distance, and the popularity is only growing. There are over 500 half marathons held in the UK each year, usually in the Spring and Autumn to make the most of the clement weather. Most events are held in big cities, and give a great opportunity to take in major landmarks while exercising. The Great North Run is the world's largest half-marathon, with over 57,000 runners each year. Other events can take you out into the stunning scenery of the UK's countryside, on rugged trails in national parks or along coastal paths. There are sure to be breathtaking views to take your mind off the running! People running their first half-marathon might want to aim for under 2 hours, while those who are experienced runners can set themselves the prestigious challenge of running a half marathon in under an hour and a half (90 minutes). A half-marathon tends to burn anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000 calories, so it's a great workout.
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- MK Festival of Running5Sep
MK Festival of Running
Running ‧ Milton Keynes20.0 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi£8 – £31C-19 PlanPartnered - Coventry Festival of Running31Oct
Coventry Festival of Running
Running ‧ Coventry13.1 mi • 3.1 mi • 1.6 mi£15 – £38C-19 PlanPartnered - Run Alton Towers 5k, 10k & Half Marathon13Nov
Run Alton Towers 5k, 10k & Half Marathon
Running ‧ Alton13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi£36 – £40Partnered - Kempton Park Renaissance Run30May
Kempton Park Renaissance Run
Running ‧ Sunbury-on-Thames3.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 13.0 mi£20.4 – £37.4C-19 PlanPartnered - Hertfordshire Half Marathon & 10k - June6Jun
Hertfordshire Half Marathon & 10k - June
Running ‧ Stevenage13.1 mi • 6.2 mi£28 – £34Partnered - Cheltenham Running Festival - June13Jun
Cheltenham Running Festival - June
Running ‧ Cheltenham13.1 mi • 3.1 mi • 6.2 mi£22 – £28Partnered - Leamington Spa Half Marathon11Jul
Leamington Spa Half Marathon
Half Marathon ‧ Royal Leamington Spa13.1 mi • 0.6 mi£32 – £34C-19 PlanPartnered - Run Cholmondeley21Aug
Run Cholmondeley
Running ‧ Cheshire13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi • 1.0 mi£8 – £31C-19 PlanPartnered - Thorpe & Egham 10k & Half Marathon22Aug
Thorpe & Egham 10k & Half Marathon
Running ‧ Egham13.1 mi • 6.2 mi£26 – £32Partnered - Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Half Marathon5Sep
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Half Marathon
Half Marathon ‧ London£36Partnered - Bridgwater Half Marathon5Sep
Bridgwater Half Marathon
Running ‧ Bridgwater13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi£8 – £27.29C-19 PlanPartnered - Cheltenham Half Marathon & 10k5Sep
Cheltenham Half Marathon & 10k
Running ‧ Cheltenham13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 1.0 mi£5 – £39C-19 PlanPartnered - The Jones Crisps Anglesey Half Marathon & 10k5Sep
The Jones Crisps Anglesey Half Marathon & 10k
Running ‧ Bangor13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 1.0 mi£7 – £42.75C-19 PlanPartnered - Kenilworth Half Marathon12Sep
Kenilworth Half Marathon
Half Marathon ‧ Kenilworth13.1 mi • 0.6 mi£30 – £32C-19 PlanPartnered - Warrington Running Festival26Sep
Warrington Running Festival
Running ‧ Warrington3.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 0.6 mi£2 – £32Partnered - Colchester Stampede Half Marathon10Oct
Colchester Stampede Half Marathon
Half Marathon ‧ Colchester13.1 mi£36Partnered - Weston Super Half17Oct
Weston Super Half
Half Marathon ‧ Weston-super-Mare13.1 mi • 1.0 mi£5 – £39C-19 PlanPartnered - Hertfordshire Half Marathon & 10k - November7Nov
Hertfordshire Half Marathon & 10k - November
Running ‧ Stevenage13.1 mi • 6.2 mi£28 – £34Partnered - Quicksilver Hampton Court Half Marathon20Feb2022
Quicksilver Hampton Court Half Marathon
Half Marathon ‧ Thames Ditton13.1 mi£35.4 – £37.4C-19 PlanPartnered - Exeter’s Great West Run22May2022
Exeter’s Great West Run
Running ‧ Exeter13.1 mi • 1.0 mi • 6.2 mi£5 – £41C-19 PlanPartnered - Birmingham Running Festival - May16May
Birmingham Running Festival - May
Running ‧ Sutton Coldfield13.1 mi • 3.1 mi • 6.2 mi£21 – £26Partnered - Run Heaton 5k, 10k & Half Marathon - May23May
Run Heaton 5k, 10k & Half Marathon - May
Running ‧ Manchester13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi£22 – £26Partnered - Gateshead Half Marathon30May
Gateshead Half Marathon
Half Marathon ‧ Gateshead13.1 mi£28Partnered - Rocket Race Orbiter5Jun
Rocket Race Orbiter
Running ‧ Tollard Royal26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi£20 – £32C-19 PlanPartnered
Showing 1 - 24 of 373 events
About half marathons in the UK
Half marathons are the among the most popular running events in the United Kingdom. A half marathon is a running race, usually taking place on roads (rather than trails), over a distance of 13.1 miles (21.1km). There are over 500 half marathons happening in the UK every year, including the largest half marathon in the world, the Great North Run which takes place in Newcastle in September and attracts more than 57,000 runners. If you're looking to make the jump to the full 26.2 miles, check out our list of UK marathons, or if you're after something shorter or want a training race, here is our calendar of 10k runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best half marathons in the UK?
There are a number of popular half marathons in the UK. For big crowds and closed roads, Hackney Half Marathon, Reading Half Marathon, Bath Half Marathon, The Big Half, and London Landmarks Half Marathon are popular spring choices. To enjoy the summer training, The Great Birmingham Run, Royal Parks Half, Cardiff Half, and, of course, the legendary Great North Run are amongst the biggest autumn races.
For something more local, there are hundreds of smaller races all over the country organised by local running clubs and race directors.
For something more local, there are hundreds of smaller races all over the country organised by local running clubs and race directors.
How far is a half marathon?
A half marathon is 13.1 miles or 21.1 km long, exactly half the length of a marathon.
What is the world record for a half marathon?
The men's world record for a half marathon is 58:01 minutes, held by Kenyan Geoffrey Kamworor, and the women's record is 64:51 minutes, set by Joyciline Jepkosgei, also from Kenya.
What is the fastest half marathon in the world?
Both the men’s and women’s world records for the half marathon were set at the Valencia Half Marathon in Spain.
What is the average finish time for half marathons?
The average half marathon finish time across all runners over the last few years is about 1h54m for men and 2h10m for women.
How long does it take to train for a half marathon?
Training for a half marathon takes at least 12 weeks for a beginner, approximately 8 weeks for an intermediate runner, and as little as 6 weeks for a more experienced runner already in the habit of running. There are many training plans available to prepare for a half marathon.