Every Southeastern state has a claim to fame. Virginia gave us the most U.S. Presidents. Georgia boasts more major golf championships than any other state. South Carolina grows more peaches than even Georgia. North Carolina helped launch Michael Jordan’s iconic basketball journey. Florida’s Magic Kingdom was the first Disneyland park in the world. And let’s not forget: Forrest Gump hailed from Alabama.
But here’s something else the South does better than just about anywhere: host unforgettable races. In this roundup, we’re spotlighting some of the best half marathons in the South—events that combine Southern hospitality with fast, scenic courses and a dose of local flavor.
Why choose a half marathon in the Southeast? Unlike the arid heat of the Southwest, the South’s humid subtropical climate offers warm running weather year-round, making it a prime destination for winter racing and off-season training. Whether you’re chasing a personal best on a flat course by the Gulf, or cruising under palm-lined streets in a historic city, the South has a race that fits your stride.
Calendar: Best Half Marathons of the South
- Louisiana Half Marathon in Baton Rouge, LA on January 17, 2026
- Key West Half Marathon in Key West, FL on January 18, 2026
- Charleston Half Marathon in Charleston SC on January 31, 2026
- Big Beach Half Marathon in Gulf Shores, AL on January 25, 2026
- War Eagle Run Fest in Auburn, AL on February 15, 2026
- Hilton Head Half Marathon in Hilton Head, SC on February 16, 2026
- Skidaway Island Half Marathon in Savanna, GA on Feb 28, 2026
- Myrtle Beach Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach, SC in March 2026
- Tuscaloosa Half Marathon in Tuscaloosa, AL on March 28, 2026
- Charlottesville Half Marathon in Charlottesville, VA in April 2026
- City of Oaks Half Marathon in Raleigh, NC on November 2, 2025
- Richmond Half Marathon in Richmond, VA on November 15, 2025
- Outer Banks Half Marathon in Nags Head, NC on November 9, 2025
- Kiawah Island Half Marathon in Kiawah Island, SC on December 13, 2025
Skidaway Island Half Marathon
- Where: Savannah, GA
- When: Feb 28, 2026
Billed by organizers as “the race the locals want to run,” the Skidaway Island Half Marathon is a great choice for visitors to Savannah, too.
The course gives racers a chance to explore The Landings, an exclusive neighborhood on Skidaway Island not typically on tourists’ radars. Both the half and full marathon start and finish at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, the University of Georgia’s renowned marine science research center.
Runners will enjoy gorgeous scenery, marsh and river views, and glimpses of stately homes and the Landings Golf Courses. While the course is open to traffic, the neighborhood’s quiet atmosphere means that you’re more likely to simply share the road with a golf cart or two, without any worry about encountering a busy intersection.
Key West Half Marathon
- Where: Key West, FL
- When: January 18, 2026
Spend your winter racing in the Florida Keys! This out-and-back half marathon is flat and fast, featuring oceanfront views for nearly the entire course.
Runners will circle portions of this easternmost island of the Florida Keys, crossing into Key West’s Cow Key Channel to Stock Island and back, before running around the Key West Golf Course and Country Club.
Notable highlights of the course include passing landmarks like the historic Key West lighthouse, first lit in 1849; the Hemingway Home & Museum, home of the famous author Ernest Hemingway; and “old town” Key West, which holds the distinction of begin the southernmost point in the United States.
Tuscaloosa Half Marathon
- Where: Tuscaloosa, AL
- When: March 28, 2026
Roll Tide! Collegiate football fans know Tuscaloosa best as the home of the University of Alabama’s football team, which plays at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Runners will get to know this bustling college town during the annual Tuscaloosa Half Marathon, an out-and-back course that tours participants from Government Plaza in the heart of downtown to nearby sights like the Black Warrior River, the Tuscaloosa RiverWalk, and even portions of the University of Alabama campus.
Expect to encounter some rolling hills later in the course, but you’ll recover that time around mile 12, where the course declines steeply down 7th Street to give you the boost you need to cross the finish line in fine form!
Louisiana Half Marathon
- Where: Baton Rouge, LA
- When: January 17, 2026
The Louisiana Marathon and Half Marathon is a sight to behold: This massive road race brings runners out from every corner of the south (and beyond, of course) for 13.1 miles through a USATF-certified course that takes runners through downtown Baton Rouge, the LSU campus, and around University Lakes. Big crowds, rich history, an energetic field of runners — and perfect winter temps in the South.
Charleston Half Marathon
- Where: Charleston, SC
- When: January 31, 2026
Southern charm meets New England-esque architecture in the coastal city of Charleston. You’ll be well-positioned to invoke a higher power during mile 12 of your half marathon in the Holy City. It received its nickname because of the numerous churches dotting its downtown area.
This course is generally flat, as you run past historic sites such as Hampton Park, the Citadel, the Battery, and plenty of breathtaking water views. The low country is prime for your next pr.
A notable feature of this historic area—the downtown streets can be fairly narrow, particularly when crowded with spectators. Racers will want to watch their step and be careful when navigating other runners. The Charleston Half Marathon is often considered one of the best half marathons in the southeast and a great way to kickstart your new year.
Myrtle Beach Half Marathon
- Where: Myrtle Beach, SC
- When: March 2026
Enjoy a runner’s seaside getaway during the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon. The half marathon has been recognized as one of the “10 Great Winter Marathons” by USA Today.
The out-and-back half marathon course starts and finishes near Pelicans Ballpark and Broadway at the Beach. Half marathoners can expect a flat and fast race that combines the best of city running—touring through downtown’s Market Common entertainment district—with long stretches of coastal beauty.
The oceanside portion of the course is among runners’ favorites. As half marathoners pass by attractions like Family Kingdom Amusement Park, towering seaside hotels, and, of course, sprawling views of the Atlantic.
After the race, all participants are invited to party in the park, sprawling out on the outfield grassy lawn for a post-race celebration
City of Oaks Half Marathon
- Where: Raleigh, NC
- When: November 2, 2025
Raleigh is nicknamed the “City of Oaks” in honor of these stately trees. The trees grow in abundance around this capital city.
Like the oak tree, this longstanding event better known as Raleigh’s Hometown Race, draws an average of 5,000 participants across all events. Runners are treated to a thorough tour of the city as they take on this out-and-back looped course.
Now beginning and finishing in Raleigh’s revitalized downtown Smoky Hollow neighborhood. Runners will be treated to tons of local course entertainment as they embark along the routes also passing by the North Carolina state capitol building, through historic neighborhoods, NCSU’s historic bell tower and skyline views along the Boylan bridge. The City of Oaks is one of the best half marathons in the southeast state of North Carolina.
Kiawah Island Half Marathon
- Where: Kiawah Island, SC
- When: December 13, 2025
Run through a golfer’s paradise during the Kiawah Island Half Marathon. As one of the best-known golf destinations on the Eastern seaboard, Kiawah Island has played host to the 2012 PGA Championship and has twice hosted the Ryder Cup.
The half marathon is flat, fast, and scenic, offering racers the same gorgeous views of oceanside forests, marshlands, beachfronts, and waterways available to the resort’s golfers. You’ll probably move through the course a bit faster!
This point-to-point course begins at Kiawah’s West Beach Village, first weaving through the island’s interior roadways and past Turtle Point Golf Club. The second portion of the half marathon leads racers toward the shoreline. They’ll pass Osprey Beach and Vanderhorst Plantation before turning onto Ocean Green Drive around mile 10, making their way back to the finish line in the village.
Hilton Head Half Marathon
- Where: Hilton Head, SC
- When: February 16, 2026
Enjoy peaceful and scenic harbor views during the Hilton Head Half Marathon, run during the temperate South Carolina winter.
The half marathon is largely flat and fast. There is one significant hill over the Broad Creek bridge, which runners will cross twice during the course. Otherwise, expect a quiet and enjoyable run beginning from Jarvis Creek Park and proceeding along paved roads and bike trails.
This is a great choice if you enjoy running for a cause. The race benefits both the Hilton Head Regional Medical Center’s “Strive to Excel” program and the Hilton Head Island Children’s Memorial Garden.
Outer Banks Half Marathon
- When: November 9, 2025
- Where: Nags Head, NC
This half marathon is the perfect way to explore a quietly stunning North Carolina area. Replete with unspoiled coastline, the large sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State park, and the challenge of running the Washington-Baum Bridge.
This point-to-point race will keep you on your toes. Runners begin with 8 flat and fast miles through Jockey’s Ridge State Park—a popular hang gliding destination—before winding through residential and commercial areas that afford views of Shallowbag Bay.
The course presents its most significant elevation challenge as runners spend a mile crossing Washington-Baum Bridge, which connects Nags Head to Manteo, and where they may spot fishing boats making their way out to the ocean. Half marathoners will rejoin marathoners at the finish line near the Maritime Museum in quaint downtown Manteo.
Big Beach Half Marathon
- Where: Gulf Shores, AL
- When: January 25, 2026
If you like big beaches and you cannot lie, you’ll particularly enjoy this coastal run through Gulf Shores and Gulf State Park.
The course is a flat, fast, out-and-back race that will take you twice through Gulf State Park—a gorgeous gem of a park that features two miles of sandy beaches looking out onto the Gulf of Mexico.
The start and finish line for the event is at The Hangout, a popular family seafood destination that also plays host to both the pre-race buffet and after-race party.
If you’re training for Boston and want to enjoy a scenic shoreline qualifier, note that the full marathon is a Boston qualifying course. Not often known for it’s beaches, the Alabama gulf hosts one of the best half marathons in the southeast.
Richmond Half Marathon
- Where: Richmond, VA
- When: November 15, 2025
Historic neighborhoods, pond-side views, perfect fall colors, and just a few rolling hills — the Richmond Half Marathon is friendly to first-time half marathoners. The course takes you through Joseph Bryan Park — a 262-acre park featuring hardwood forests, ponds, streams, and an azalea garden — catching sight of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, the former home of the Richmond Braves baseball team, and crossing the campus of Virginia Union University. This is a Southern charm, big-city race experience.
War Eagle Run Fest
- Where: Auburn, AL
- When: February 15, 2026
This race is pure Auburn pride with 13.1 miles winding through the university’s campus, passing landmarks like Toomer’s Corner, the President’s House, and the Hutsell-Rosen Track. The real climax of the race: the finish line on the 50-yard line of the War Eagle stadium. The course has a handful of challenging hills but is a great opportunity to hit a PB — whether you’re in a tiger costume or not.
Charlottesville Half Marathon
- Where: Charlottesville, VA
- When: April 2026
Named one of the country’s top destination marathons by the New York Times, the half marathon offering of this popular race is a luscious tour of the green rolling hills of northern Virginia.
The out-and-back half marathon course, run on a combination of pavement and gravel, begins at Knight’s Gambit Vineyard outside downtown Charlottesville. From there, participants will enjoy a scenic and peaceful race that includes views of Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains as they tour past vineyards and farmland.
With a course limit of 3.5 hours, note that neither the full nor half marathon are suitable for walkers, but organizers do encourage walkers to participate in the 8K. Charlottesville is an often overlooked city for some of the best half marathons in the southeast
