If you’re going to run 13.1 miles, make it somewhere unforgettable. A scenic half marathon turns the grind of training into a chance to race through mountain passes, along coastlines, or under canopies of fall leaves. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just out to enjoy the ride, a beautiful course can make every mile feel like part of the reward.
The United States has some of the most diverse natural scenery of any country in the world. You can see skyscrapers in New York, Tokyo, or Dubai. We chose half marathons whose scenery was unique enough that it couldn’t be seen elsewhere in the country or world. We also made sure the course for running the half marathon offered ideal views of the scenery.
We’re talking coastal roads, mountain valleys, and desert trails — the kind of routes that remind you why you started running in the first place. Whether you’re looking to race hard or take it all in, these scenic half marathons offer the best of both worlds: a challenge for your legs and a reward for your eyes.
Calendar: The Most Scenic Half Marathons
- Sedona Half Marathon on February 7, 2026
- Canyonlands Half Marathon on March 20, 2026
- Run The Bluegrass Half Marathon on April 11, 2025
- The OC Half Marathon on May 4, 2025
- Utah Valley Half Marathon on June 7, 2025
- Grand Teton Half Marathon on June 7, 2025
- Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon on July 20, 2025
- Rocky Mountain Half Marathon on August 2. 2025
- Crater Lake Rim Runs Half Marathon on August 9, 2025
- Santa Rosa Half Marathon on August 24, 2025
- The Kauai Half Marathon on August 31, 2025
- Bar Harbor Half Marathon on September 13, 2025
- Monument Half Marathon on September 27, 2025
- Boulderthon on September 28, 2025
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon on November 9, 2025
- Malibu Half Marathon on November 16, 2025
Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon
- Where: Napa, CA
- When: July 20, 2025
If you love wine and you love running, you’re going to seriously love this race. For one, the course incredibly beautiful, winding you through rolling farmlands and vineyards of Napa and Sonoma wine country and delivering you to viewpoints of the Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, the San Pablo Bay and the hills of Marin County. The course isn’t all easy drinking — runners will tackle the affectionately named “Butt Burner Hill” before — but is it well worth it for the local wine tastings at the post-race wine festival.
Canyonlands Half Marathon
- Where: Moab, UT
- When: March 20, 2026
Chances are you’ve heard Moab is really pretty. This race starts along the Colorado River in a wide canyon flanked by towering red rock walls. The course turns and winds through Moab Valley which offers post-card views, and ends at a public park adjacent to Arches National Park. Simply put: The views are unreal. And March is easily the best time to be in the desert.
Santa Rosa Half Marathon
- Where: Santa Rosa, CA
- When: August 24, 2025
Another fabulous wine country race is through Santa Rosa, the largest city in Northern California’s wine growing region. The course takes you over trestle bridges, through vineyards and farm fields, and the heart of the town — alongside the Santa Rosa Creek. The course is virtually entirely flat and, true to its local culture, runners will take home a bottle of complimentary wine.
The OC Half Marathon
- Where: Newport Beach, CA
- When: May 4, 2025
It’s not hard to see why the legendary OC Marathon in Newport Beach, California, is on this list. While other races may offer you cacti, mountain ranges, rivers, or bridges, the OC Marathon offers you a non-stop look at the most spectacular coastal sights.
By the end of the thirteen miles, runners will have run on the Pacific Coastal Highway, seen the opulent homes on Ocean Boulevard, breathed in the salty air of the Pacific Ocean, and jogged through the calming coastal communities that make Orange County so scenic. You just can’t find a better fairytale half marathon in the entire country.
The Kauai Half Marathon
- Where: Kauai, HI
- When: August 31, 2025
The Kauai Half Marathon begins at the resort area of Poipu Beach and takes runners on a tour of classic Hawaiian landscapes. From sandy beaches and lush jungle-like rain forests to rich green-covered mountains, and flowing rivers and waterfalls.
What stands out to most runners of this race is the “Tunnel of Trees,” a stretch of road mirrored on both sides by eucalyptus trees planted 150 years ago by Scottish immigrant cattle ranchers.
Utah Valley Half Marathon
- Where: Provo, UT
- When: June 7, 2025
If you want a scenic race with the chance to PR, consider running the Utah Valley Half. This race starts at sunrise and winds its way through both Utah Valley and Provo Canyon, following the Provo river and offering you spectacular natural views. The course is entirely downhill and may be the only course in the U.S. that has zero turns, letting you keep pace as you take it all in.
Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- Where: Monterey, CA
- When: November 9, 2025
For sheer natural beauty and dramatic coastal scenery, it’s impossible to top this race. You’ll get to run past the deep blues and greens of the Pacific Ocean crashing along the coastline. The kelp beds swaying back and forth with the waves, and the seagulls floating along the breeze. You may even catch a glimpse of seals and sea lions out on the large rocks in the water.
Crater Lake Rim Runs Half Marathon
- Where: Crater Lake, OR
- When: August 9, 2025
Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park is filled with rugged Pacific Northwest mountain terrain that encircles one of the country’s most majestic and beautiful lakes.. This late-summer race takes runners around the rim of Crater Lake at altitudes ranging from 5,980 to 7,850 feet above sea level. To give participants the most tranquil experience, the race is limited to 500 participants so you won’t have to push or shove a neighboring runner to take in the views from the course.
Boulderthon
- Where: Boulder, CO
- When: September 28, 2025
Boulder has become synonymous with two things: beautiful scenery and really fit and active residents. One of its biggest races, the Boulderthon, is wildly popular with both Coloradans and beyond (the city is only 45 minutes outside Denver, after all), largely because it is so darn beautiful. The race begins at the Boulder Reservoir before taking runners along the Flatirons, the striking red sandstone formations on Boulder’s west side, with a finish on historic Pearl Street Mall. Don’t mistake: With a starting elevation of 5,430′, this race is a challenge for those coming from sea level. But it’s also touted as having the charm and attention to detail of a boutique race and the production quality of a big one. Boulderthon is one you should not miss.
Malibu Half Marathon
- Where: Malibu, CA
- When: November 16, 2025
Rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, waves crashing against the shoreline, and plenty of rugged hills await on the point-to-point route along the Pacific Coast Highway at this fall race. The course takes runners along the Malibu coastline, where they’ll take in natural views of the Pacific Ocean as well as the elegant architecture of beachfront homes owned by some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Grand Teton Half Marathon
- Where: Jackson, WY
- When: June 7, 2025
During the winter, Jackson Hole is a skier’s paradise. During the summer, it becomes a runner’s paradise. In the month of June, the lush backdrop of the Grand Teton Mountains, the crystal clear waters of the Snake River, and the natural wildlife make this a one-of-a-kind scenic half marathon.
As a reminder, the course does take place at 6,000 feet above sea level. At higher altitudes, a runner may find themselves winded easily on the course — but don’t let that dissuade you; just run slower!
Sedona Half Marathon
- Where: Sedona, AZ
- When: February 7, 2026
With striking red rock not seen in many other parts of the U.S., Sedona’s landscape is truly a sight to behold. The Sedona Half Marathon takes 3,000+ runners through the heart of central Arizona’s mountain valleys and red rock spires. It’s also one of our favorite winter half marathon to score some February miles in warmer weather.
Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon
- Where: Lexington, KY
- When: April 11, 2025
Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington is self-declared “America’s Prettiest Half Marathon,” and we’re not going to argue with a title like that.
The race location will be familiar to any film buffs who’ve seen Seabiscuit, as the race takes runners through the fenced-in pastures that house some of the world’s most impressive racehorses. Take your inspiration from these racing champions as you trot over a lot of green, grassy hills.
Rocky Mountain Half Marathon
- Where: Estes Park, CO
- When: August 2, 2025
While the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon isn’t technically a national park half marathon, the course runs right outside the park’s gates and gives runners insane views of its namesake mountain range.
Like other scenic half marathons that offer views of the mountains, it goes without saying that this race also takes place at a high elevation above sea level. The course will have runners at over 7,400 feet above sea level — a dramatic increase over our next-highest race in the Tetons at 6,000 feet. But chances are you’ll be so amazed by the views, you’ll forget how badly your lungs are burning.
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Half Marathon
- Where: Bar Harbor, ME
- When: September 13, 2025
As of the most historic places in the United States, Europeans visited Bar Harbor 16 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Half Marathon is also one of the only half marathons to run through the grounds of a U.S. National Park — Maine’s Acadia National Park. The grounds of this September race offer a bit of history as well, as philanthropist John D. Rockefeller built around 45 miles of carriage roads through Acadia National Park between 1913 and 1940.
Monument Half Marathon
- Where: Scottsbluff, NE
- When: September 27, 2025
Run through a gorgeous, rocky landscape that is home to historic stretches of the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail. This early fall race features a 13.1-miler and 5-kilometer race in addition to its flagship 26.2-miler.
All of the races take runners through the 3,000-acre Scotts Bluff National Monument. Like Sedona, the Monument Half Marathon is all about the rock formations. If you want some Midwestern green in your rocky half marathons, this Nebraska half might be the right scenic race for you.
