“To discuss running, out loud or on paper, without delving into the subject of friendship would be like talking about the beach without the ocean, the night sky without the stars, or a mom’s car without the crumbs and reeking, balled-up socks on the floor. You just can’t.” — Kristin Armstrong

1) Great Turtle Trail Run Half Marathon • Mackinac Island, MI

An out-and-back trail run that takes participants around nearly the entire four square miles of Michigan’s Mackinac Island, the race is unique both for its stunning scenery as well as its isolated location — so there won’t be any auto traffic to contend with.

Sat, Oct 22 • Race info & signup >>

2) Catalina Island Eco Half Marathon • Avalon, CA

A great race for trail runners or those looking for a new challenge, this race features gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged terrain and lots of elevation change, which means it isn’t a race is for the PR-seeker.

Sat, Nov 19 • Race info & signup >>

3) Kiawah Island Golf Resort Half Marathon • Kiawah Island, SC

Fast, nearly all flat paved roads along tree-lined roads that wind through golf course communities and along the beaches of this resort island await runners here along the coast of South Carolina, which hosted golf’s PGA Championship a few years back.

Sat, Dec 10 • Race info & signup >>

4) Pensacola Beach Run Half Marathon • Pensacola Beach, FL

Run along the Gulf Islands National Seashore here in the Florida panhandle area, on a course that unfolds along this city’s scenic waterfront along paved roads between the Gulf of Mexico and the Santa Rosa Sound.

Sat, Jan 14, 2017 • Race info & signup >>

5) St. Pete Beach Classic Half Marathon • St. Pete Beach, FL

Plentiful sunshine, beaches, island parks and some of the world’s most gorgeous sunsets are what travelers come here for, for a race that takes runners on an out-and-back tour of the island known as St. Pete Beach off the coast of St. Petersburg.

Sun, Jan 15, 2017 • Race info & signup >>

6) Critz Tybee Run Fest Half Marathon • Tybee Island, GA

Nestled just off the coast of Savannah near Wilmington Island and the mouth of the Savannah River along the border between Georgia and South Carolina, Tybee Island still has much of its wild, untamed natural beauty, scenery that runners will get to take in at this race.

Sat, Feb 4, 2017 • Race info & signup >>

7) Save the Light Half Marathon • Folly Beach, SC

Run just outside the historic city of Charleston, this race takes a few hundred runners and walkers each year along a seaside tour of gorgeous beach homes, oceanfront vistas and more, with views of the Atlantic Ocean for much of the race.

Sat, Feb 4, 2017 • Race info & signup >>

8) Hilton Head Island Half Marathon • Hilton Head, SC

Set for its 15th annual running next year, the Hilton Head Island Half begins at the starting line at the island’s Jarvis Creek Park, and continues along a course that’s made up mostly of paved roads and a few bike trails.

Sat, Feb 11, 2017 • Race info & signup >>

9) Mercer Island Half Marathon • Mercer Island, WA

From the starting line on the outskirts of Luther Burbank Park on the northern end of the island, the race unfolds along an out-and-back course that takes a clockwise loop and features a wealth of rolling hills along the way, as well as a few steep uphills and downhills.

Sun, Mar 19, 2017 • Race info & signup >>