As anyone growing up in a “flyover state” will tell you: The midwest is best. In addition to the Great Lakes, deep dish pizza, and the Iowa State Fair, there are also some of the best half marathons in the midwest.
Across Ohio and Michigan to Missouri and the Dakotas, the states in the middle of the U.S. have a variety of natural landscapes and bustling cities to run through, with races sprinkled across the calendar from spring to fall (because those snowy winter races aren’t so enjoyable). Whether you’re a midwesterner already or looking to take an easy runcation, the midwestern states have plenty to offer and a runcation is the perfect excuse to explore Detroit, Chicago or Fargo.
As a born and raised Michigander, runner, and author of Marathoner: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, I’ve got firsthand experience with the Great Lake states and greater midwest courses. With all that intel, we’ve put together a list of the best half marathons in the midwest.
Here are the best half marathons in the midwest, along with a few reasons why you’ll want to run them.
Calendar: Best Half Marathons in the Midwest
- Milwaukee Half Marathon on April 13, 2025
- St. Louis Half Marathon on April 26, 2025
- Eau Claire Half Marathon on April 27, 2025
- Glass City Half Marathon on April 27, 2025
- IU Health 500 Mini Marathon on May 3, 2025
- Flying Pig Half Marathon on May 4, 2025
- Cleveland Half Marathon on May 18, 2025
- Fargo Half Marathon on May 31, 2025
- Bank of America Chicago 13.1 on June 1, 2025
- Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on June 21, 2025
- Marquette Half Marathon on August 30, 2025
- City of Lakes Half Marathon on September 7, 2025
- Sioux Falls Half Marathon on September 21, 2025
- Capital City River Run Half Marathon on September 21, 2025
- Quad Cities Half Marathon on September 28, 2025
- Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon on October 18, 2025
- IMT Des Moines Half Marathon on October 19, 2025
Milwaukee Half Marathon
- When: April 13, 2025
- Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
If you’re running a half marathon in Wisconsin and you want to avoid clomping through a few feet of snow, April is probably about as early as you want to go. The Milwaukee Half Marathon will most certainly be a bit chilly, but isn’t that the best race weather anyways? The course, which runs along the city’s Lake Michigan shoreline, starts downtown before heading north to a turnaround point. Runners then retrace their steps before finishing in Humboldt Park. Obviously Milwaukee is known for its beer and there’s a whole breweries section of the website shouting out the various craft brews that will be available at the finish festival. Cheers!
St. Louis Half Marathon
- When: April 26, 2025
- Where: St. Louis, Missouri
If you’re looking for a tour of St. Louis, there’s really no better option than running the half marathon. Starting and ending downtown, the course zigs and zags around the city, sending runners past all the most famous sites. That includes of course the St. Louis Arch, which runners will pass multiple times. You’ll also cross the Mississippi River on the Eads Bridge, which means you’ll technically be running a race in Illinois as well. You’ll loop Lafayette Park, cruise by Busch Stadium and finish on the park-lined Chestnut Street.
Eau Claire Half Marathon
- When: April 27, 2025
- Where: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
With less than 70,000 residents and hours away from Madison and Milwaukee, Eau Claire is not a city at the top of many traveler’s bucket lists. Closer to Minneapolis than Wisconsin’s bigger cities, Eau Claire is a gorgeous locale (especially when all that snow has melted). The city’s half marathon has a lot of small town charm as it guides runners along the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers. The city brands itself as “The Indie Capital of the Midwest” and there’s plenty of town pride on display during race day as neighbors pass out unsanctioned aid items (such as beer) along the course and local bands serenade runners as they race by. The folk band Bon Iver hail from Eau Claire if that gives you any sense of the vibe.
Glass City Half Marathon
- When: April 27, 2025
- Where: Toledo, Ohio
Located on the border of Ohio and Michigan just south of Detroit, Toledo is known as Glass City due to the town’s many glass manufacturers back in the day. Toledo’s marathon still holds onto the moniker even as the city is much less industrial than it once was. The half marathon starts and ends on the University of Toledo campus with runners doing a loop of the city.
Another fun fact about Toledo: it was the subject of a war between Michigan and Ohio and was finally granted to Ohio in a compromise that gifted Michigan the upper peninsula. So in an alternate universe, this could be a Michigan half marathon instead.
IU Health 500 Mini Marathon
- When: May 3, 2025
- Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
You can’t write a list of the best midwestern half marathons and not include the Indy 500 Mini Marathon on the list. Indianapolis is arguably most well known for the Indy 500 race which is hosted every year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The half marathon (branded as a “mini”) lets runners finish a lap on the historic track. Unless you’re a racecar driver, this is likely your best bet to spending some time on the historic track. Whether you win or lose the half marathon, you’re eligible to dump a bottle of milk on your head to celebrate the achievement.
Flying Pig Half Marathon
- When: May 4, 2025
- Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
There’s something about Ohioans that makes them love naming their races after industries rather than cities. Cincinnati’s major race weekend is named “Flying Pig” because the city used to host a large number of pork slaughterhouses. Now the city is known for its flying pig statues and also some of the nation’s best barbecue.
The loop course starts and ends downtown but sends runners over the Ohio River into Kentucky for part of the race. That gives runners some gorgeous views of the Cincinnati skyline and two different bridge runs. There’s really no more exciting part of any race than running over a bridge.
Cleveland Half Marathon
- When: May 18, 2025
- Where: Cleveland, Ohio
While Cleveland is called “The Forest City,” this is one Ohio race that isn’t using a nickname in its title. The Cleveland Half does give runners a scenic tour of the northern metropolis though. In a winding loop course, the Cleveland Half sends runners through the city and along its Lake Erie shoreline.
The flat-and-fast half marathon course is a nice one for beginners and with so many twists and turns, it’s also a great race for spectators. With some half marathons, your friends and family will be lucky to see you running twice, but with this race, they can easily snag you at least four times.
Fargo Half Marathon
- When: May 31, 2025
- Where: Fargo, North Dakota
Viewers of either the movie Fargo or the TV show might be worried that running the Fargo Half Marathon could result in you getting kidnapped or shoved into a wood chipper, but we promise there have been no deaths via woodchipper at the Fargo Half Marathon (yet).
The out-and-back course sends runners through some of Fargo’s most interesting neighborhoods and most beautiful parks. The course also passes the famed Fargo Theater, so when you see that marquee you’ll know you’re nearing the finish line.
Bank of America Chicago 13.1
- When: June 1, 2025
- Where: Chicago, Illinois
The most popular and iconic race in the midwest is undeniably the Chicago Marathon, which is not only one of the US’s most popular races, but also one of the Abbott World Majors. Due to it being a major, there isn’t a half marathon that runs alongside the marathon, but the race organizers have recently launched a sister half marathon that takes place earlier in the year. Unlike the Chicago Marathon and many other Chicago races, the 13.1 runs through western Chicago rather than along the Lake Michigan shoreline. This gives runners a new tour of the city and allows them to see interesting neighborhoods a bit off the beaten path.
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
- When: June 21, 2025
- Where: Duluth, Minnesota
Many of the most beautiful parts of America are off the beaten path and that’s certainly true of Duluth, Minnesota. The town, situated on Lake Superior on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border is stunning, especially in the summer, but not an obvious vacation destination. Every summer, however, runners flock there to run the Grandma’s Marathon, a flat, cool course that serves as one of the final opportunities to qualify for the Boston Marathon the following year. Along with the marathon, however, comes the Garry Bjorklun Half, named after a renowned American distance runner. The lakefront half is a great place to aim for a PR and one of the few half marathons in June that won’t leave you sweltering.
Marquette Half Marathon
- When: August 30, 2025
- Where: Marquette, Michigan
As a Michigander, I have to promote the many gorgeous parts of my home state and the Upper Peninsula is one of America’s best kept secrets. Marquette, nestled on the shores of Lake Superior, was a mining and shipping depot that now operates as a resort town in the summer and a college town for those brave enough to endure the UP winters. The half marathon starts 13.1 miles outside of the city and sends runners on a point-to-point journey into downtown and towards the water. Marquette is also famous for its cliff jumping, so if you need to cool off after your run, that option is available to you.
City of Lakes Half Marathon
- When: September 7, 2025
- Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis is often called the City of Lakes and they’ve got the half marathon to prove it. The half marathon, run in southwestern Minneapolis, is a double loop course with runners circling both Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska, the largest inland lake in Minnesota. Bde Maka Ska is the traditional Dakota name meaning “lake white earth,” and was readopted in 2018 after it had been changed to Lake Calhoun by settlers. Now runners get to circle both lakes twice while running through the parks that surround them. A very tranquil running environment if you’d like to avoid the hubbub of a big city race.
Sioux Falls Half Marathon
- When: September 21, 2025
- Where: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The largest city in South Dakota is Sioux Falls, which sits near the Iowa and Minnesota borders in the southeast corner of the state. The Sioux Falls Half Marathon therefore is THE half marathon in South Dakota and a celebratory local affair. The loop course starts and ends near Howard Wood Field with a modified out-and-back element that runs both through the city’s downtown and along Big Sioux River.
Small-city marathons offer a charm and exuberance that big city majors don’t quite possess and the crowds in Sioux Falls will not disappoint. Please be advised, however, that Mount Rushmore is on the opposite end of the state just in case you were planning on trying to see that while in SD.
Capital City River Run Half Marathon
- When: September 21, 2025
- Where: Lansing, Michigan
As someone who lived most of their life in Lansing, I can’t write a list of midwestern half marathons without including Lansing’s beautiful fall half marathon. The course really showcases all of the city’s best parts, starting and ending by the Capitol Building and running through Michigan State’s gorgeous campus and along the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers. Perhaps the coolest aspect, however, is its run through the Potter Park Zoo. Wave at some of the animals as you pass them in the race’s final push back downtown. Swing by the MSU Dairy Store for a treat after.
Quad Cities Half Marathon
- When: September 28, 2025
- Where: East Moline, Illinois
If you’re unfamiliar with the Quad Cities, the name refers to Davenport, Iowa, Bettendorf, Iowa, Rock Island, Illinois and Moline, Illinois, four cities nestled together along the Mississippi River due east from Chicago. The half marathon of course runs through all four towns, crisscrossing the river multiple times on the way to the finish. In addition to the course being fairly flat, runners will also get to run over a handful of bridges in the looped tour of the area. While a bit off the beaten path, this is a fun fall half for locals and tourists alike.
Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon
- When: October 18, 2025
- Where: Detroit, Michigan
Perhaps my favorite of the midwestern races is the Detroit International Half Marathon. Not to be confused with the Motor City Half, which stays firmly planted on US soil, the International Half sends runners across the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor Canada and then back through the tunnel to a finish in downtown Detroit. The international race is one-of-a-kind, and running over the bridge during sunrise is something you’ll never forget. Just remember to bring your passport to bib check, because if you don’t, you won’t be able to run in the race.
IMT Des Moines Half Marathon
- When: October 19, 2025
- Where: Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa is truly the heart of America and the heart of Iowa, smack dab in the middle of the state is Des Moines. The half marathon starts and ends by the Iowa State Capitol and runs a loop course through the city each October. Iowa is famously a flat state and this half marathon lives up to that expectation. If you are aiming for a PR without any hills to get in your way, this is the perfect course for you. No need to get bogged down in hill training for this one. It’s all smooth sailing.
