For most runners, a summer half marathon isn’t the first choice. The days are longer, the sun is hotter, and the humidity will have you sweating through your shorts in minutes. There’s a reason most major races happen in the spring and fall — summer running can be brutal. But here at Half Marathon Guide, we believe there’s no bad time to run 13.1.
While others scramble for fall and spring races, summer half marathons offer unique perks. Northern states, like Minnesota and Alaska, shine this time of year — no risk of snow-packed roads in June. Want an international race? Our summer is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, making places like Brazil and South Africa far more inviting.
Summer races also mean fewer crowds. While others fight for treadmill space in peak training seasons, you’ll have the track to yourself. Plus, a summer half is perfect prep for a fall marathon, breaking up the training grind with a fun milestone.
If you’re in, we’ve got you covered. As a longtime running journalist and avid runner, I’ve rounded up some of the best summer half marathons in the U.S. and beyond. From Alaska to Angkor Wat, there’s something for everyone — so pick a race, sign up, and get running.
Calendar: Best Summer Half Marathons of 2025
- Fargo Half Marathon on May 31, 2025
- North Shore Classic Half Marathon on June 1, 2025
- Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon on June 1, 2025
- Bank of America Chicago 13.1 on June 1, 2025
- Grand Teton Half Marathon on June 7, 2025
- Big Five Half Marathon on June 14, 2025
- Anchorage Mayor’s Half Marathon on June 21, 2025
- Rio De Janeiro Half Marathon on June 21, 2025
- Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on June 21, 2025
- Big Sky Half Marathon on July 13, 2025
- Run Melbourne Half Marathon on July 13, 2025
- Aspen Valley Half Marathon on July 19, 2025
- Mount Rainier Half Marathon on July 19, 2025
- San Francisco Half Marathon on July 27, 2025
- Rocky Mountain Half Marathon on August 2, 2025
- Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon on August 3, 2025
- Angkor Empire Half Marathon on August 3, 2025
- Area 13.1 Half Marathon on August 16, 2025
- Adidas Stockholm Half Marathon on August 30, 2025
North Shore Classic Half Marathon
- When: June 1, 2025
- Where: Highland Park, Illinois
Start the summer off right with this little jaunt through the Chicago suburbs. Anyone familiar with Chicago knows that some of the nicest neighborhoods are north of the city along lake Michigan in the cluster of neighborhoods known collectively as the North Shore. Their half marathon, held at the beginning of each summer, boasts a loop course that sends runners past some of the city’s most stunning homes. With those lakeshore breezes and tree-lined streets keeping you cool, this is a major city half that seems like a small town race.
Fargo Half Marathon
- When: May 31, 2025
- Where: Fargo, North Dakota
This isn’t known as America’s Best Small Town Race for nothing. You might know the name Fargo from the Coen brothers movie, but this race is set to change that. Fargo is known for it’s athletic stadium, the Fargodome, a 19,000 seat stadium home to North Dakota State Athletics. Runners finish their half marathon in the dome with their finish projected onto the stadium video monitor. If that finishing experience doesn’t light your fire, then you might just love the course — a fast and flat race that passes through the Fargo Country Club, Rose Creek Gold Course and the Main Avenue Bridge Downtown which organizers say is “a sight you won’t forget.”
Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon
- When: June 1, 2025
- Where: San Diego, California
It’s hard to do any list of must-run races without including at least one in the Rock ‘n’ Roll racing series. The now global brand, however, started in San Diego making the SD Rock ‘n’ Roll Half a historic race. As an east coast runner, I never quite understand how California weather works and why a city so far south is able to host a major race in June without people passing out from heat stroke, but I’m assured it has to do with the Pacific Ocean. Starting near Balboa Park and finishing downtown, the 13.1 gives runners a scenic tour of the oceanside town.
Bank of America Chicago 13.1
- When: June 1, 2025
- Where: Chicago, Illinois
The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 is a newer half marathon in the Windy City from the producers of the Abbott World Marathon Major Chicago Marathon. Read: this race is a well-oiled machine. What we love so much about it is its unapologetic celebration of west Chicago. Only in the last few years has the old warehouse and industrial neighborhood turned into the cultural and culinary capital of Chicago.
Grand Teton Half Marathon
- When: June 7, 2025
- Where: Wilson, Wyoming
A beautiful national park half marathon, this series gets about as close to the parks as you can get without running in them. With plenty of scenic races, it’s particularly impressive that Vacation Races boasts that their Grand Teton Half is run on “possibly our prettiest course ever.” Hosted outside of Jackson, Wyoming, the point-to-point course sends runners directly toward the Grand Teton mountain range meaning that for the back half of the course you’re running with one of America’s most spectacular views.
Big Five Half Marathon
- When: June 14, 2025
- Where: Entabeni, South Africa
You can’t make a running bucket list without including this incredible race that doubles as an African safari. The Big Five Half Marathon is named after the “big five” or five mammals that African tourists aim to spot while they’re on a safari. Those include the lion, rhinoceros, elephant, leopard, and African buffalo. During this half marathon, runners will have the opportunity to spot these majestic creatures while running through the South African countryside. The mid-June date is actually a winter one south of the equator so this race is about as cool as you’re going to get running through Africa.
Anchorage Mayor’s Half Marathon
- When: June 21, 2025
- Where: Anchorage, Alaska
Celebrate the summer solstice in Alaska at the Anchorage Mayor’s Half Marathon. One of Alaska’s most popular races, the course winds its way through Anchorage starting early in the morning, but you won’t have to worry about running in the dark. During the summer solstice, Alaska boasts nearly 22 hours of daylight, which may wreak some havoc on your sleep if you don’t invest in a good eye mask. The northernmost state in the USA, Alaska is stunning in the summer so if you’re looking to visit, June is certainly an ideal time to fly on up.
Rio De Janeiro Half Marathon
- When: June 21, 2025
- Where: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
As with South Africa, if you’re going to run a race in Brazil, it’s best to do it during America’s summer because that means that it’s winter in Rio. With the Brazilian beach town that close to the equator, a half marathon any other time of the year would be brutal. The point-to-point course sticks to the coastline, which means you’ll get plenty of breathtaking views while you race towards the finish line. The proximity to the water also keeps the course fairly flat, which is a blessing. You may remember from the Rio Olympics just how hilly the city can be otherwise.
Garry Bjorklund (Grandma’s) Half Marathon
- When: June 21, 2025
- Where: Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is famously home to all American things — the Duluth Trading Company and Grandma’s Half Marathon. Now in it’s 47th year, the half marathon is named after Garry Bjorklund an Olympic Track & Field athlete who set the Minnesota state record for the mile which lasted 39 years. With the Grandma’s event you can expect a crowd — more than 7,000 runners participate in the half marathon and an additional 9,000 participate in the full marathon. That’s about a 20% increase of the year round population of Duluth that come just for this race. Another one of our picks for the best spring half marathons in the United States.
Big Sky Half Marathon
- When: July 13, 2025
- Where: Ennis, Montana
Big Sky, Montana is perhaps most well known for its ski resort, but in the middle of July there’s very little skiing to be done even in a northern state like Montana. Without so much snow, however, the mountain ranges remain stunning and are part of the scenic backdrop to this small town marathon. The race is mostly downhill, which is a nice perk for newbies and those looking for a new PR. The race is also near Yellowstone National Park, so after you’ve earned your race medal you can spend a few days checking out one of America’s most beloved natural landmarks.
Run Melbourne Half Marathon
- When: July 13, 2025
- Where: Melbourne, Australia
After the Sydney Marathon was added to the Abbott World Majors last year, runners will certainly be flocking to Australia. However, the Sydney Marathon doesn’t have a half option and the city’s biggest half marathon is run in May. South of Sydney, however, is the country’s second biggest town with a gorgeous loop-coursed half marathon. Starting and ending near Melbourne Olympic Park, where the Australian Open is held each year, the race tours the city, crisscrossing the city’s river for some spectacular views.
Aspen Valley Half Marathon
- When: July 19, 2025
- Where: Aspen, Colorado
Like Big Sky, Aspen is certainly known for its skiing. In the summer though, the skiers have been cleared out and the city slows down. Every July though, runners from around the world descend upon the ski lodges to run a half marathon along the road that leads to Aspen. The point-to-point course is entirely outside the city, but it winds between the mountains to give runners a relatively flat course with staggering views. That said, this is some serious high-altitude running at 7,908 feet of elevation. If you don’t ski, but have wanted to check out the iconic locale, this might be the time to go.
Mount Rainier Half Marathon
- When: July 19, 2025
- Where: Crystal Mountain Resort, Washington
Vacation Races’ Mount Rainier Half Marathon is not for the faint of heart. While some races in hilly terrain intentionally try to avoid hills, this race sends you up and down the sides of them. With an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet, the Mount Rainier Half is probably the hardest race on this list. It’s run largely on trails in the Crystal Mountains so you’ll need to train specifically for a trail run. While the course can be difficult, it also will give you stunning views of Mount Rainier from other mountains nearby. While certainly you’ll want to finish, you might want to stop and snap a few photos along the way as well.
San Francisco Half Marathon
- When: July 27, 2025
- Where: San Francisco, California
The San Francisco Half Marathon really isn’t one half marathon but two. Since a full marathon is basically two halfs back to back, the race organizers opted to give half marathon runners the option as to whether they’d like to run the half of the marathon that includes the Golden Gate Bridge or the half that loops around the city. This means runners can basically run the full marathon in two chunks if they’d like to return for a second year. While the bridge itself is impressive, it’s an out-and-back over what’s basically a massive hill so perhaps the city course is a bit more interesting? Up to you to decide.
Rocky Mountain Half Marathon
- When: August 2, 2025
- Where: Estes Park, Colorado
Unlike the Mount Rainier Half, the Rocky Mountain Half doesn’t really involve running in the mountains. Rather you’re running nearby the Rocky Mountains with a splendid view of them. Another of Vacation Races’ half marathons, this one in Estes Park, Colorado gives you a view of the National Park without allowing you to enter. This race is one of our top-voted fun races of 2025, too. The first half of the race does involve a large climb, but the back half is largely downhill. Something to consider, however, is the elevation outside of Denver. If you’re not used to it, it can sap you of your energy quite quickly.
Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon
- When: August 3, 2025
- Where: Cascade Locks, Oregon
There are few features of a race course more exciting than running over a bridge and the Bridge of the Gods, which spans Oregon’s Columbia River is a very impressive bridge. The course is basically an out-and-back, but the beginning and the end are situated on either side of the river with the bridge run at the very start of the race. Cascade Locks is located outside of Portland, so you can easily build a vacation around the city with an excursion out to the Columbia River Gorge to run this stunning 13.1.
Angkor Empire Half Marathon
- When: August 3, 2025
- Where: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Coming from America where it can be hard to find a building over 200 years old, Angkor Wat and the Cambodian temples that surround it are otherworldly. Originally built in 1150 CE, the Hindu-Buddhist temple is one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions and now it is the site of an incredible half marathon. The loop course starts and ends by Angkor Wat, but passes a number of other ancient structures along the way. While traveling to Cambodia is quite the trek, if you’re going you might as well sign up to run this race.
Area 13.1 Half Marathon
- When: August 16, 2025
- Where: Roswell, Georgia
Sure UFOs are primarily linked to Roswell, New Mexico, but can you really give the people of Roswell, Georgia any flack for latching onto the Roswell = aliens thing? Their Area 13.1 Half Marathon is an incredibly popular one in Georgia, and while running a half marathon in Georgia in August might sound like a sweaty hell, at least the race is run at night. There’ll be no need to search for shade as you run through the dark. Just make sure you aren’t plucked off by any extraterrestrials along the way.
Adidas Stockholm Half Marathon
- When: August 30, 2025
- Where: Stockholm, Sweden
If cold locales are the best places to host summer half marathons, then it should be no surprise that Sweden is hosting its marquee half marathon at the tail end of summer. The Stockholm half brings runners together right before the arrival of autumn and gives them a tour of the city from the royal castle to the city’s center. Perhaps this is the perfect runcation before you’re back to work and the kids have to return for another school year.
