“It’s important to remember that each footstrike carries you forward, not backward. And every time you put on your running shoes, you are different in some way than you were the day before.” — John Bingham
Hell of a Half Marathon • Exeter, CA
Run in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas in the middle of August, this race features a pair of huge hills and a 7:00 a.m. start to avoid the worst of the day’s heat, but still promises a toasty 13.1 miles.
Hotlanta Half Marathon • Atlanta, GA
Run when the temperatures really begin warming up in the city known as “Hot-lanta” in the summer, this race starts at Centennial Olympic Park downtown and runs past the Georgia State Capitol building, Turner Field and through the Georgia Tech campus before finishing in front of the World of Coca-Cola.
Hotter Than Hades Half Marathon • Leland, MS
You’ll run through the heart of the Mississippi Delta at this sweltering June race, when the temperatures here routinely reach the 90s and often creep into triple digits, and where Highway 61 runs through.
The Hottest Half • Dallas, TX
It’s nearly unbelievable that a 13.1-mile race runs in mid-August in one of the nation’s hottest cities, but indeed one does along the Trinity River here, where you’re (strongly!) encouraged to stop at each and every water station.
Half-Wit Half Marathon • Reading, PA
Organizers “mean” what they say when they describe this trail race, with downed trees, plentiful bugs, rocks everywhere and “128 steps from Hell,” along with the potential for blazing heat thanks to its mid-August running.
Jalapeno Half Marathon • Fort Worth, TX
The heat will definitely be on for this late June race in Texas (on a day when the average high is 94 degrees!), run on paved trails along the Trinity River, and where a jalapeno-eating contest awaits runners at the finish line.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon • Chicago, IL
Don’t be surprised if the mercury climbs into the 90s at this mid-July race, which runs past the Buckingham Fountain, the Shedd Aquarium and Soldier Field along the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Area 13.1 Half Marathon • Atlanta, GA
Even though this race has a 7:00 p.m. starting time, there’s a good chance temperatures will still be in the 80s in the early miles, as this will be Atlanta in mid-August. But at least you’ll be running along the Chattahoochee River, whose breezes will cool you off.
