13.1 Family-Friendly Half Marathon Race Weekends

Running races isn’t always a kid-friendly activity, especially when the distances get really long. That’s why it’s great that there are plenty of races around the country that host a range of distances over the weekend, where both you and your kids can take part.

This list is by no means, complete — what races have you run that you think we should add? Let us know in the comments below.

1) Dave McKay Memorial Half Marathon

Part of an annual race that benefits the local Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Flagstaff, this race is named for the man who founded Big Brothers, Big Sisters back in the late 1960s, and features a 13.1-mile and 5K race that are open to runners and walkers.

Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018 • Flagstaff, AZ

2) Magnuson Series Summer Fitness Day Half Marathon

Part of a series of running and walking events that take place throughout the summer and fall seasons in Seattle’s Magnuson Park, which lies right on the shores of Lake Washington, this race features five race distances — a 13.1-mile half marathon, 15K, 10K, 5K and a dash run for kids.

Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 • Seattle, WA

3) News & Sentinel Half Marathon & 2-Mile Race

Timed to coincide with Parkersburg’s annual Homecoming Festival Parade, this race also includes youth races for children ages 6 through 11 and a “Tiny Tot Trot” for kids under 5, in addition to the half marathon.

Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 • Parkersburg, WV

4) Boy Scout Half Marathon

With its three distances — the Boy Scout Half Marathon, the Tenderfoot 5K and the “Tiger Cub” half-mile run for kids — this event is designed to promote both athleticism and an active and healthy lifestyle as well as the Scouting values and traditions.

Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018 • Bowling Green, OH

5) Run the River for the Ridge Half Marathon

Filled with 25 miles of hiking trails along the Santa Ana River, the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area is the setting for this annual half marathon as well as a 5K and a 1K, all of which will help raise money for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 • Riverside, CA

6) Freedom’s Run Half Marathon

The scenic rolling hills of the lower Shenandoah Valley, as well as four of the country’s most historic national parks, will be the setting at this race, which also features a 10K, 5K and kids races in addition to the half marathon.

Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 • Shepherdstown, WV

7) Lake Tahoe Marathon Weekend

I’m not sure there’s a weekend of races anywhere in America that’s fuller than the Lake Tahoe one in October, which features 3 half marathons, 3 full marathons, a 10K and a 5K, a 16-miler and a fun run for kids, all run through some of the most gorgeous natural beauty in the nation.

Friday-Sunday, Oct. 12-14, 2018 • South Lake Tahoe, CA

8) Girlfriends Run for the Cure Half Marathon

With a 13.1-miler, 10K, 5K and kids mini marathon, the 12th annual Girlfriends Run for the Cure celebrates breast cancer survivors with a series of races in which runners dress out in pink running shirts, shorts and caps, and there’s chocolate at the finish line for every participant.

Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 • Vancouver, WA

9) The Haunted Half Austin, 5K & Kids Run

Take a run through the J. Lorraine Ghost Town, an Old West-styled theme park built to look like a real Western town at this day of races, where many runners dress up in costume and there’s a 5K and special run for kids at the family-friendly time of 11:00 AM.

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 • Manor, TX

10) Reindeer Run Half Marathon & 5K

You’ll run along the beachfront streets and inside the tree-covered park roads of Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, Fla., at this race, which features a one-mile, half-mile and 100-yard dash for kids in addition to its 13.1-mile and 5K distances.

Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 • Fernandina Beach, FL

11) Xterra Trail Runs World Championship

Set for its 11th annual running this year, this race features an off-road half marathon on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, and will also host two shorter distance trail runs, free kids races, an adventure walk for charity, all through some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery.

Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 • Kaaawa, HI

12) Mississippi Gulf Coast Half Marathon

Run along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico at this end-of-fall race, which features a 5K and a kids’ marathon on Saturday, followed by the half marathon and full marathon races on Sunday, with a fast and flat course for nearly the entire race and plentiful views of the ocean throughout.

Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 • Gulfport, MS

13) Walt Disney World Marathon & Half Marathon

There are few places as magical for a family to run together as Florida’s Walt Disney World, and this event features a series of races spread out over three days — the shorter races on Thursday (5K) and Friday (10K), the half marathon on Saturday, and the full marathon on Sunday, all run through the Magic Kingdom.

Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 • Lake Buena Vista, FL

13.1) The Louisiana Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & 5K

You’ll get to run past historic sites like the Old Governor’s Mansion and Old State Capitol building at this weekend of races, which features a “kids marathon” in which your child(ren) can run either 1.2-mile fun run or the 5K

Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019 • Baton Rouge, LA

Bonus) Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

With distances from a 100-meter dash to 5Ks and 10Ks as well as the 13.1-mile half marathon, there’s a full slate of races for kids at this beloved race in Florida’s Walt Disney World, where you’ll see thousands of runners dressed in pink tutus and princess regalia out on the course.

Friday – Sunday, Feb. 22-24, 2019 • Lake Buena Vista, FL