Participating in a half marathon has been described by many runners as the opportunity to run in the perfect race.

It is a long enough distance to be challenging and require consistent training, but it’s still not as punishing or debilitating as the full 26.2 mile marathon.

Runners who have trained and achieved good results with running in a 5K race can easily expand their training over a twelve week period to the 13.1 mile distance that the half marathon represents.

Many half marathon races are held on the same day as full marathon races.

These same-day events usually allow the marathon to get started, then begin at a later time. They often follow the same course but offer short cuts, or an earlier turn-around point.

Many people use the half marathon as a training tool for preparing to run in a full marathon, as it introduces the kind of intensity and endurance that running a long distance in a competitive environment entails.

Best Half Marathons in the US

Running in a half marathon that is organized around the main event of a full marathon has certain advantages, including knowing that there’s already a well-run infrastructure and lots of support and enthusiasm from the crowds of people who gather along the route to cheer on the runners.

That being said, after you have completed all of the training for a half marathon, there’s a good chance that you don’t want to be seen as only providing half of the effort as compared to a large crowd of marathon runners who are going the long, 26.1 mile distance.

For people who want all of the glory to be for the distance that they are running, the best half marathons to compete in are the ones that stand alone and are not associated with a longer distance run. In the United States, there are a lot of half marathons to choose from.

There’s no doubt that the easiest race to participate in is going to be the one that is closest to your home, but it’s also fun to plan a vacation around your half marathon, as recovery is not as difficult as it would be from running a marathon, and you should be able to shower up and go on to touring once the race is done.

One of the most popular half marathon races in the United States is the Philadelphia Distance Run. The race is totally flat and has the advantage of being hosted by a city that is rich in both scenery and history.

The run carries you past not only cheering crowds, but also some of America’s best-loved historic and cultural sites, including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This race attracts first timers and some of the most elite runners in the world, so you’ll be in good company.

Best Half For Beginners

If you’re thinking of training for a half marathon and you’d like to run in a race that is truly memorable and fun, one of the absolute best is the Rock and Roll Half Marathon, held in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The weather for this September race is always pleasant, and the organizers have taken all of the best aspects of the original Rock and Roll Marathon that is held each year in San Diego and plopped it down into an East Coast run.

The race is flat and fast, attracts 20,000 runners of all abilities, and is really just a huge end of summer party and celebration.  The race takes advantage of its beach location, and lets runners appreciate the cool ocean breezes for the last two miles as they run to the finish line on the boardwalk.

After the race, everybody is treated to a great rock concert.