Fall Half Marathons 2026
337 half marathons · 2026/09 – 2026/11
The half marathon is the most popular race distance in America, and fall is when the calendar overflows with 13.1-mile options. September through November offers the sweet spot: cool enough to race hard, warm enough to train comfortably, and packed with events at every level from small-town charity runs to major Rock 'n' Roll series stops. The half marathon's accessibility makes fall racing especially appealing — you can train for it in 10-12 weeks through the second half of summer without the grueling 20-mile long runs that marathon training demands. RACE indexes hundreds of fall half marathons across every US state, from flat urban courses built for PRs to scenic mountain routes designed for the experience. Whether you are chasing your first 13.1 or gunning for a sub-1:30, fall is when the conditions conspire in your favor.
Upcoming Half Marathons
Fall 2026 by the Numbers
The half marathon overtook the full marathon as America's most popular race distance in 2014 and has held the lead since.
Over 2 million runners finish a half marathon in the US each year — fall hosts roughly 40% of all finishes.
The average US half marathon finish time is 2 hours 10 minutes. Competitive runners target sub-1:45.
Rock 'n' Roll series events (Nashville, Las Vegas, San Antonio) draw 15,000-30,000 runners per fall half.
Why Race in Fall?
Perfect pacing weather — fall temps (45-55°F) allow runners to push pace without heat stress.
Manageable training — 10-12 week plans through late summer are less daunting than winter marathon training.
Massive selection — more half marathons in fall than any other season, across every region and terrain type.
Race-cation potential — fall foliage half marathons in New England, wine country, and mountain towns are bucket-list experiences.
Training Periodization
Fall half marathon training starts in July. Build weekly mileage to 25-35 miles per week. Peak long run: 11-12 miles, 3 weeks before race day. Include one weekly tempo run at goal pace and one interval session for speed.