Dreamstime
“Through running we learn about succeeding and failing, about reaching past the probable and accomplishing the impossible. The struggle to find one’s potential as a runner is the most frustratingly satisfying pursuit that many of us ever undertake.” — John Bingham & Jenny Hadfield
1) Great Race of Agoura Hills Half Marathons • Agoura Hills, CA
This race is actually two half marathons — one a mostly road race and the other a mostly trail race overlooking the Conjeo Valley, with some challenging hills through the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Sat, Apr 1 • Race info & signup »
2) Emigration Canyon Half Marathon • Salt Lake City, UT
The majestic beauty of Utah’s Wasatch Mountain range is on display along the winding, hilly course at this springtime race, which starts at a golf course nestled in the mountains overlooking downtown, and finishes at the Marriott Universty Park Hotel in the city.
Sat, Apr 1 • Race info & signup »
3) Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon • Chesapeake, VA
One of the nation’s most unique race routes awaits at this half, which is run along a canal trail within the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge, a 112,000-acre park in southeastern Virginia that’s home to more than 200 species of birds, as well as deer, foxes and the occasional black bear.
Sat, Apr 8 • Race info & signup »
4) Garden Spot Village Half Marathon • New Holland, PA
The pastoral beauty of Pennsylvania’s Amish countryside — filled with horse-drawn buggies, rolling farmland and simple, family-centered life — is on display at this race, where you’ll run past white post fences and even see runners dressed in Amish wear.
Sat, Apr 8 • Race info & signup »
5) Santa Cruz Half Marathon • Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz’s West Cliff Drive, a beautifully scenic and windswept coastal road along this Northern California city’s rocky Pacific coastline, serves as the course for much of this race, which runs along both paved roads and through stretches of Wilder Ranch State Park.
Sun, Apr 9 • Race info & signup »
6) Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon • Savannah, GA
Runners get the chance to navigate the flat, scenic streets of Georgia’s oldest city at this half, which starts from the largest of the city’s signature parks and finishes in front of one of its most recognizable landmarks, the Forsyth Park fountain.
Sat, Apr 8 • Race info & signup »
7) Heartbreak Ridge Run Half Marathon • Camp Pendleton, CA
Roughly 90 percent of this challenging race runs on off-road trails through the hilly mountain wilderness of the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base, with scenery that’s completely different from other races in and around the San Diego area.
Sat, Apr 8 • Race info & signup »
8) Babcock Gristmill Grinder Half Marathon • Clifftop, WV
Nestled in the challenging mountainous terrain of Babcock State Park in the center of southern West Virginia, this trail run more than lives up to its name, with a rugged course along single- and double-track trails in the heart of the state’s whitewater rafting country.
Sat, Apr 15 • Race info & signup »
9) Salt Lake City Half Marathon • Salt Lake City, UT
Lauded in past years by Runner’s World magazine, this race takes runners through the heart of Salt Lake City, offering beautiful views of the surrounding snow-capped Wasatch mountains, starting from the Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah.
Sat, Apr 22 • Race info & signup »
10) Horsetooth Half Marathon • Fort Collins, CO
Voted the state’s number-one half marathon by Colorado Running Magazine readers, this point-to-point half starts runners in the shadows of nearby Horsetooth State Park and includes both paved surfaces and bike trails, with some steep hills and elevation changes.
Sun, Apr 23 • Race info & signup »
11) Revel Mt. Charleston Half Marathon • Las Vegas, NV
Following a gorgeous route that starts in Kyle Canyon and finishes at Centennial Hills Park in Las Vegas, this race offers the chance to notch a personal record time along a stunning downhill descent from the mountains to the city.
Sat, Apr 29 • Race info & signup »
12) Race the Runways Half Marathon • Brunswick, ME
If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to walk or even run along an airport runway — and by the way, is there any race course more assured of being fast and flat than an airport runway? — you’ll get your chance here.
Sat, Apr 29 • Race info & signup »
13) American River Parkway Half Marathon • Sacramento, CA
Run along a combination of paved and natural surfaces, this race is actually two races, with different courses for those running and those walking the half-marathon, along the running, walking, hiking and biking trail named for the river in the San Francisco Bay area.
Sat, Apr 29 • Race info & signup »
13.1) New Jersey Half Marathon • Long Branch, NJ
You’ll get to finish the race along the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore here at this race, features inspirational views of the oceanfront along much of the course and as runners are approaching the finish line at the Long Branch Ocean Promenade.
Sun, Apr 30 • Race info & signup »
