People often say that the journey is more important than the destination — but anyone who has ever run a long-distance race knows you spend an awful lot of the journey envisioning the destination. That finish line hovers in your imagination through months of training and hours of the actual race itself. When you finally turn that last corner and come face-to-face with the finish line, a whole wave of emotions will take over — so why not pick a race where that finish line energy will match the magnitude you’re feeling?
As an avid runner and author of Marathoner: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, I’ve run a lot of races and researched even more. I’ve compiled a list of races with the most iconic finish lines in the US. From beautiful views to epic finish line locations to huge parties that match that “I did it!” post-race energy, these marathons, halves, and 10Ks boast some extremely fun finish lines that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.
Calendar: Best Race Finishes in the US
- Key West Half Marathon on January 18, 2026
- War Eagle Run Fest on February 15, 2026
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon on February 22, 2026
- Shamrock Half Marathon on March 22, 2026
- Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026
- 500 Festival Mini Marathon on May 3, 2025
- RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon on May 17, 2025
- Bay to Breakers 12K on May 18, 2025
- Fargo Marathon on May 31, 2025
- Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon on July 20, 2025
- Humpy’s Marathon on August 17, 2025
- Boulderthon on September 28, 2025
- Ocean Road 10K on October 5, 2025
- Marine Corps Marathon on October 26, 2025
- TCS New York City Marathon on November 2, 2025
- Philadelphia Marathon on November 23, 2025
War Eagle Run Fest
- When: February 15, 2026
- Where: Auburn, Alabama
There’s nothing quite like a stadium finish to give your half marathon an epic feel. The War Eagle Run Fest Half Marathon comes to a close at the 50 yard line of Auburn University’s historic football complex, the Jordan-Hare Stadium. For Auburn fans, this race is a must-run bucket list item, but even if you’ve never watched the Tigers play a single game, running into such a massive stadium brings a certain level of emotion. The other great thing about a stadium finish is that it allows all your friends and family to watch you achieve your dream, which is a lot more difficult to do with a standard road race finish.
IU Health 500 Festival Mini Marathon
- When: May 3, 2025
- Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
Indy car racing fanatics – this is your moment. The 500 Festival Mini Marathon sends runners on a lap of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and is run each May to celebrate the Indy 500. It doesn’t technically end on the track, but between the finish line, banners, and the medals, there will be plenty of checkered flags signaling your finish. The course ends near the city’s Military Park, which also hosts the post-race festivities. After running 13.1 miles, you might want to skip the milk and go for an ice cold beer though.
Key West Half Marathon
- When: January 18, 2026
- Where: Key West, Florida
Singling out the finish of the Key West Half Marathon is a bit of a disservice to the other 13 miles of the course, which are equally stunning (it’s one of our favorite half marathons in the South, after all). After all, runners on the out-and-back horseshoe around Key West will get to run along beaches, watch the sunrise, and race through the town’s historic main drag.
But the finish near the Key West Bight marina is not only picturesque but also, after crossing, runner’s are immediately funneled into a concert and after-party complete with live music and local brews. For those looking to continue the party, there’s often an eight-stop rum crawl available, which will let racers see if they can complete two challenges in one day.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon
- When: February 22, 2026
- Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
The Rock ‘n’ Roll race series are known for their finish festivals which double as concerts, but even among their impeccable lineup of races, the Las Vegas Half stands out. The race starts and ends on the Las Vegas strip and, unlike many other halfs, this race begins in the evening so you’ll be running through Vegas in all of its neon glory. The finish line is situated near Caesars Palace and the Bellagio and lets runners cross the finish line with thousands of bulbs shining down on them. Then it’s off to the afterparty to dance in your running shorts and tank tops – I bet you’ve never partied in Vegas quite like this before.
Marine Corps Marathon
- When: October 26, 2025
- Where: Washington, D.C.
I’ve had a lot of finisher medals placed around my neck over the years and never has it felt so momentous as when a member of the United States Marine Corps hung the medal over my head and saluted me. DC’s Marine Corps Marathon is a special race for many reasons, but the finish is certainly one-of-a-kind. First, the last stretch of the marathon is a steep uphill that pushes runners through one final test while Marines shout encouragement down at the civilian runners. Then there’s the Iwo Jima memorial behind the finish to inspire runners and then of course there’s the presentation of the medals. Marathons aren’t often a place for a lot of ceremony and the Marine Corps Marathon brings that tradition and importance to distance running.
Shamrock Half Marathon
- When: March 22, 2026
- Where: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Whether you’re Irish or just like an excuse to sip on a Guinness, Virginia Beach’s St. Patty’s-themed half marathon is a race for you. While yes, the race does have a finish festival complete with beer (obviously), perhaps more impressive is ending on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The course concludes just after the massive King Neptune statue with the Atlantic Ocean as the scenic backdrop for the last few miles. Adding a little spice to mile 13 is always a welcome relief, and the final mile of the Shamrock Half really is a nice ending before the drinking begins.
Fargo Marathon
- When: May 31, 2025
- Where: Fargo, North Dakota
Boy do we love a finish line party – and the Fargo Marathon throws one hell of a bash. After you cross the end, located next to the FARGODOME on the North Dakota State University campus, you’ll be whisked away immediately to the post-race party with live music, snacks, and plenty of happy runners showing off their race medals. You can then head across the street to the Buffalo Wild Wings Fargo Marathon After Party where you can snag a free beer and order plenty of wings. After all, you’ll need some extra nutrients after smashing 26.2 miles.
Boston Marathon
- When: April 20, 2026
- Where: Boston, Massachusetts
The Boston Marathon is THE most iconic marathon in the world, in part because Boston is so hard to qualify for, but also in part because the entire 26.2-mile trek is built around the finish line. Most major city marathons spend the majority of the race within the city limits, but the Boston Marathon starts miles away from downtown in the Massachusetts countryside and sends runners on a point-to-point route to the iconic finish on Boylston St. in the heart of Boston. After miles of watching the city loom in the distance, runners make the final turn to see Boston and the finish line before them. If you add in the fact that the tragedy of the Boston Marathon’s finish line bombing in 2013, this is easily the most historically-rich finish line in the US.
Philadelphia Marathon
- When: November 23, 2025
- Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
There are few scenes in cinematic history more iconic than Rocky Balboa’s training run through the streets of Philadelphia early in the morning in his gray sweatpants and sweatshirt. He races up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and raises his fists in triumph. The moment is so ingrained in pop culture that Philadelphia built a Rocky statue near the museum and the city’s marathon ends near the steps of the famous monument. While the marathon doesn’t actually finish on the steps (that would be a safety hazard), running towards the museum does make you feel like Rocky. Plus you can head up the stairs after to snap a photo with your arms outstretched as well.
RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon
- When: May 17, 2025
- Where: Brooklyn, New York
One of our favorite coastal half marathons, the New York Road Runners’ Brooklyn-based half marathon has a lot of great features – but personally, I love the finish on Coney Island’s boardwalk the most. The iconic locale is miles away from Manhattan and most New Yorkers who don’t live on the eastern side of Brooklyn don’t often have an excuse to venture out to the Atlantic shore.
The half marathon starts in Prospect Park and sends runners on a straight line to the beachside carnival, with the boardwalk finish near the Ferris wheel. After the finish line, runners are funneled into the minor league baseball stadium nearby where they can meet up with their families and grab a beer or coney dog – a true New York celebration.
Bay to Breakers 12K
- When: May 18, 2025
- Where: San Francisco, California
One of the wildest, wackiest, costume-filled races, Bay to Breakers is a darn good time. As the name implies, San Francisco’s famous 12K starts on the bay and ends near the breakers. The titular bay is obviously the San Francisco Bay and the breakers in question belong to the Pacific Ocean. The race is basically a straight shot across the west coast peninsula with a finish line between Golden Gate Park and the beach. Bay to Breakers is quintessentially San Francisco — their tagline is “Let’s get weird” — and there’s no better way to finish than with a few miles through the city’s massive greenspace and a salty sea breeze alongside thousands of people in costumes.
Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon
- When: July 20, 2025
- Where: Sonoma, California
The name really does say it all. The Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon starts in Napa and winds its way through California wine country before finishing in the picturesque town of Sonoma. While the finish line itself is nestled in the gorgeous winery enclave, the real exciting thing about this half marathon is the finish festival in the adjacent Sonoma Plaza. As you can imagine, there’s a LOT of wine to try from local wineries which will give you the opportunity to toast your accomplishments again and again and again.
Humpy’s Marathon at Anchorage RunFest
- When: August 17, 2025
- Where: Anchorage, Alaska
If you complete Humpy’s Marathon you are not a finisher, but rather a “fishiner.” That’s because Anchorage, a city located on the Cook Inlet of the Gulf of Alaska, is well known for their fishing and because Humpy’s Great Alaskan Ale House, which is both the namesake sponsor and the finish line locale of the race is named after “humpies” which is a nickname for pink salmon. The “fishin” line in downtown Anchorage is conveniently located right next to Humpy’s so you can stop in to grab a beer once you’ve finished the 26.2.
Boulderthon
- When: September 28, 2025
- Where: Boulder, Colorado
The Boulderthon Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K is an epic race, set in front of epic scenery, and complete with an epic finish-line party. The course runs through downtown Boulder at the foothills of the gorgeous flatirons — during peak fall, mind you — and after you spend 13.1 miles ogling the crisp scenery, you’ll reach the finish at the historic Pearl Street Mall. Set in the middle of downtown Boulder and sponsored by Michelob Ultra, Boulderthon’s finish-line party is full of community and celebratory spirits. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that you just might want to experience every single year.
TCS New York City Marathon
- When: November 2, 2025
- Where: New York City, New York
No list of race finishes would be complete without including the New York City Marathon. While the finish may not be as storied as Boston’s, ending in Central Park is quintessentially New York in the best possible way. After traveling through all five boroughs, the marathon ends with a few miles in Central Park and one last stint down Central Park South before turning at Columbus Circle back into the homestretch. That last bit in Central Park is uphill, but there’s so much adrenaline from the crowd and the finish line in the distance that you can’t even feel it. There’s really no feeling quite like crossing that line with all of New York rising around you.
Ocean Road 10K
- When: October 5, 2025
- Where: Narragansett, Rhode Island
Ending your race near a beach is always a good idea. To start, those ocean breezes keep things nice and cool for runners after racing so many miles and there’s also the chance that unseasonably warm weather leads to some finishers using the dip in the waves to beat the heat. But also seashore finishes provide a beautiful backdrop for photos with your shiny new medal. The Ocean Road 10K, a point-to-point race along the Rhode Island coast, ends at the Narragansett Town Beach, the perfect locale to conclude an absolutely stunning 6-mile journey.
