7 Virtual Half Marathon Races You Might Love Running in 2020
From the Great Race Across Tennessee to the Singleton Race Series in Virginia, seven virtual events that offer unique challenges and more than a medal.
See all virtual half marathons across the USA below, or click Race Calendars above to see each state’s calendar. For each race, you’ll find dates to run and and info on how to register.
June Virtual Half Marathons
500 Festival OneAmerica Mini Marathon (through June 30)
Bring your own race track to the virtual 500 Festival OneAmerica Mini Marathon. You’ll run your race anytime before June 30 and receive your finisher certificate immediately. You’ll also receive a discount for the 2021 race.
The Bridge of Storm Lake’s Run for Our Future Half Marathon, 10K & 5K (anytime)
Run for the future of Iowa’s youth and support summer educational programs in Storm Lake, including learning loss prevention and mentoring by college students and Americorps members. You can also sign up to raise money for the youth — and run for free if you raise $200.
Buffalo County Stampede Half Marathon & 5K (June 1 – June 14)
The Buffalo County Stampede Half Marathon serves as the biggest fundraiser for the Buffalo County Historical Society Trails and Rails Museum in Kearney, Nebraska, and now everyone can support the cause. Run your 13.1 miles between June 1 and June 14 and submit your results for your t-shirt and medal.
Capital City Marathon, Half Marathon & 5-Miler (through June 15)
“Stay home – Stay healthy” has been the proclamation in Washington state over the past few months, and the Capital City Half Marathon’s virtual events have embraced this despite having to cancel the in-person event. New registrants can sign up for the marathon, half marathon, or 5-mile distance. Complete your distance by June 15 and you’ll receive your medal in the mail.
Cinderella Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 5M, 30K & 50K (through June 15)
Socially distance on the trails or on the roads as you run your race anywhere, whether that’s a half marathon, a 30K, or a 50K. Be sure to run your race by June 15 and submit your results, and you’ll receive your medal and shirt in the mail.
Grateful Dad Half Marathon, 10K & 5K (June 19 – June 21)
Celebrate your father (or father figures) at a distance with the Grateful Dad Virtual Half Marathon. Unlike some other virtual races, you can choose the amount of swag you want, from the basic bib and shirt to a collapsible cup and face mask. You’ll receive your race rewards a few weeks after the race.
Grinnell Games Half Marathon, 10K & 5K (June 12 – June 21)
You can choose your race or choose multiple races to run between June 12 and June 21. No matter which race you choose, a portion of your registration fee (50% for the half marathon distance) will go to support frontline healthcare workers in the Grinnell, Iowa area.
Half Hastings Half Marathon & 5K (May 30 – June 7)
The birthplace of the Kool-Aid drink hosts an annual half marathon in late May each year, which has gone virtual this year. Run your event anytime between May 30 (the original race date) and June 7 to receive your race swag.
Hot 2 Trot Run Half Marathon & 5K (June 20)
Supporting the Cottage Grove, Wisconsin fire department, the Hot 2 Trot Half Marathon & 5K have gone virtual this year, and now anyone can join the fun. Find a time that works for you and run your 13.1 miles anywhere you like, and you’ll receive your shirt and medal in the mail while supporting a small town cause.
Illinois Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K (through June 30)
If you missed your chance to register for April’s Illinois Marathon & Half Marathon, you can now register and participate virtually through June 30. Once you’ve registered, complete your race at a time that works for you in June, and submit your results by July 25. You’ll receive your drawstring bag, shirt, and medal in August.
Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon (through September 30)
While the in-person event was rescheduled from April to August 22, you can run the virtual half marathon anytime before September 30. You can also run the full marathon virtually, as it was removed from the rescheduled in-person event due to scheduling conflicts.
Laugh and a Half Marathon, 10K & 5K (June 7 – June 20)
Run your mask off anywhere you like at the Laugh and a Half Marathon, where you can run the virtual half marathon anywhere before June 20. If you’re still missing your running buddies, you can create a team and run separately — there are team awards for best team name, biggest team, and funniest team.
Margarita Half Marathon & 5K (anytime)
You’ll have to BYOMargarita, but the Margarita Half Marathon has what you want for a virtual race: ability to run anywhere, anytime. Never fear if your race shirt drawer is overflowing: you’ll receive a quarter-zip hoodie instead of the regular shirt for this race.
Marina Bay Half Marathon, 10K & 5K (June 20 – June 21)
You’ll have the two days of Father’s Day weekend to run the Marina Bay Half Marathon anywhere you like and submit your results using the running app or timer of your choice. The race organizers will mail your shirt and medal to you after the race. Bonus points if you run with the father figure of your choice (but at a distance).
Mermaid Series Mermazing Virtual Run (June 20 – June 27)
Targeted toward women, the virtual run is free and includes a Facebook community to cheer you on up to your run. You can pay to receive physical swag — including a shirt, medal, and necklace — and register by May 25 to guarantee your stuff. You don’t have to dress like a mermaid to run this virtual race, but it won’t hurt. There’s even a MerDog category.
Naperville Women’s Half Marathon & 5K (June 14 – August 1)
Targeted toward women, the virtual run encourages you to get started and take that first step. You have seven weeks to run your event and submit the results, making this race achievable if you’ve just started your training, and you’ll receive your shirt and medal in the mail.
Pacific Crest Marathon & Half Marathon (June 19 – July 4)
Part of a weekend-long sports festival, you can now run the virtual event anytime over the course of two weeks. The race organizers will have prizes and challenges leading up to the event, as well as a virtual prize ceremony afterward.
Pure Pikermi Half Marathon (through June 30)
As the race directors state, what’s more pure than running? Run your half marathon anywhere you like and report your results on the race’s reporting portal through June 30. Once you’ve done that, your swag will be mailed out to you in early July.
Run and Ride Cedar Point Half Marathon & Quarter Marathon (June 6 – June 20)
There’s no roller coaster at the finish, but you can choose your own course (perhaps a hilly one to emulate a roller coaster?) for the virtual half and quarter marathon. Along with the shirt and medal, you’ll also receive a free ticket to the Cedar Point amusement park.
Run the South Half Marathon, 10K & 5K (June 13 – June 20)
You’ll have a week from the start of this virtual race to run your half marathon, 10K or 5K and submit the results. And since the swag starts shipping before the race starts, you might get to run in your race shirt. Random runners will receive prizes, including an award for the best retro costume.
The Scorcher Half Marathon & 5K (through June 19)
The in-person half marathon normally is a scorcher, with highs reaching the mid-80s in June. Fortunately (or unfortunately if it’s even warmer where you are), you can run the virtual race from where and escape the heat. Run your chosen distance by June 30 and receive your swag in the mail.
Town and Country Half Marathon (June 14 – June 21)
While your half marathon probably won’t finish at a brewery, you can still run the distance anywhere you like. You have a week to run the Town and Country Half Marathon and submit your results. Once all results are in, you’ll receive your shirt, finisher sticker, medal, and bib number in the mail.
Twin Lobster Half Marathon & 1-Mile Race (June 7 – June 14)
Warm up with a 1-mile run before taking on the half marathon wherever you like between June 7 and June 14 as part of the Twin Lobster challenge. Scores and results for runners in all races (including the two-race challenge) will be posted on the event website after all the results are in, after which your swag will make its way to your mailbox.
Uncorked Half Marathon & 5K (through June 30)
Your virtual half marathon probably won’t start and end at a winery, but you’ll still get your finisher wine glass and a voucher for a free glass of wine next time you’re at New Kent Winery. Be sure to celebrate your finish with a glass of wine!
Women 4 Women Half Marathon & 5K (June 7 – June 13)
The Women 4 Women Half Marathon’s mission is still alive and and virtual. Run your race between June 7 and June 13 and you’ll receive the event medal, and know that your virtual race registration is helping underserved women and children in the Louisville area.
July and Beyond
Brazen Racing Series Runs (dates vary)
These Bay Area races — which include the Trail Hog Half Marathon, Bad Bass Half Marathon, and Wild Hog Half Marathon, already have a remote runner option, and now’s the perfect time to take advantage of that. You’ll receive the same race swag as in-person registrants, along with the bragging rights. Check the individual race’s details for more info.
Endurance Race Series Runs (dates vary)
Normally you’d hit the Colorado mountain trails. But this year they’ve added a virtual option for the summer season of races, and you can run the trails wherever you are–or the treadmill if it’s too hot to run outdoors where you live. There’s also a discounted virtual season pass option to fill your summer with races. Whichever option you choose, you’ll receive the race packet on race week.
Virtual Viking Dash Series (through December 31)
“Pillage on your own time”, the organizers of the Viking-themed trail series say about their virtual race. You can run your half marathon, 10K, or 5K anytime in 2020 and receive your choice of finisher medal: Thor’s hammer, a double-sided axe, or one of three shields.
