The 10 Best Half Marathons in the World (2027)

Direct Answer

The best half marathon to target is the Great North Run in northeast England, our Best Overall: the world's largest half marathon with around 60,000 runners from Newcastle to South Shields, an entry fee near £64, and a finish-line atmosphere along the coast that no other 13.1 can match.

For a fast, affordable destination half, the Valencia Half Marathon is the Best Value at roughly €40–€60 on one of the quickest certified courses in the world. This list is for runners chasing a half-marathon personal best, a festive weekend, or a bucket-list destination race.

Prices range from about €40 for European city halves to over $200 for marquee US events. Every race below is a real, currently-run half marathon; they are ranked on course speed, atmosphere, organization, and travel experience.

1. Great North Run 🏆 BEST OVERALL

The Great North Run, founded by Brendan Foster in 1981, is the world's largest half marathon, running from Newcastle upon Tyne to the coast at South Shields every September with around 60,000 participants.

Entry is roughly £64 via ballot, with charity places widely available. The Red Arrows flypast, the Tyne Bridge start, and the seafront finish create an iconic atmosphere. It ranks #1 because no half marathon matches its scale, history, and crowd support.

This is for the runner who wants the most celebrated mass-participation half on earth.

2. Valencia Half Marathon 💎 BEST VALUE

The Valencia Half Marathon (Medio Maratón Valencia) every October is one of the fastest certified half marathons in the world, with multiple world records set on its flat, sea-level course finishing at the City of Arts and Sciences.

Entry runs about €40–€60, exceptional value for a record-eligible course. It earns Best Value because nowhere else offers near-record-fast conditions at this price.

Choose Valencia for a personal best at a budget-friendly entry.

3. Berlin Half Marathon

The Berlin Half Marathon in April is a flat, fast race through the German capital past the Brandenburg Gate, a popular spring tune-up and PR target with around 35,000 runners.

Entry runs about €60–€75. The flat course and cool spring weather make it one of Europe's quickest big-city halves.

Pick the Berlin Half for a fast spring race in a major capital.

4. Lisbon Half Marathon

The EDP Lisbon Half Marathon every March starts on the Vasco da Gama Bridge and is famously fast and downhill, having hosted multiple world records over the years.

Entry runs about €40–€55. The bridge start over the Tagus and the net-downhill profile make it a PR favorite.

Choose Lisbon for a scenic, downhill, record-fast course.

5. Great Scottish Run

The Great Scottish Run in Glasgow every autumn is Scotland's biggest half marathon, a fast city course past the Clyde and Glasgow Green with tens of thousands of participants.

Entry runs about £45–£55. The lively crowds and quick course make it a strong, affordable choice in the UK.

Pick the Great Scottish Run for a festive, fast Scottish city race.

6. Philadelphia Half Marathon

The Philadelphia Half Marathon in November runs past Independence Hall and along the Schuylkill River, a flat, well-organized course that is part of a popular race weekend.

Entry runs about $120–$150. The historic backdrop and cool fall weather make it a top US half.

Choose Philadelphia for a flat, scenic East Coast race.

7. Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

The Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon is the only race that runs the Las Vegas Strip at night, past the casinos and neon with live music along the course.

Entry runs about $120–$180. The nighttime Strip closure and party atmosphere make it a one-of-a-kind bucket-list half.

Pick Las Vegas for the most unique nighttime race experience.

8. Copenhagen Half Marathon

The Copenhagen Half Marathon every September is a flat, fast loop through the Danish capital, a World Athletics-labeled race that regularly produces elite times.

Entry runs about €50–€70. The flat course, smooth roads, and great organization make it a Northern European PR favorite.

Choose Copenhagen for a fast, well-run Scandinavian race.

9. Disneyland Half Marathon / runDisney

The runDisney Half Marathons (at Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida) run through the parks with characters, fireworks, and entertainment, part of multi-race weekends.

Entry runs about $185–$215. The family-friendly spectacle makes it an experience race rather than a PR.

Pick a runDisney half for the most entertaining, family-oriented day.

10. Bath Half Marathon

The Bath Half Marathon in England every March is one of the UK's longest-running city halves, a flat two-lap course through the Georgian streets of the World Heritage city of Bath.

Entry runs about £55–£65. The historic architecture and strong crowds make it a beloved spring race.

Choose Bath for a flat, scenic race through a historic English city.

How to Choose

• Chasing a PR? Valencia, Lisbon, Berlin, and Copenhagen are the fastest flat-and-downhill courses for a half-marathon best.
• Want the biggest atmosphere? The Great North Run's 60,000 runners and coastal finish are unmatched.
• Prefer a unique experience? Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas (night Strip) and runDisney (parks) are about the spectacle, not the clock.
• On a budget? European city halves like Valencia, Lisbon, and the Great Scottish Run run €40–€60, far below US marquee races.
• First half marathon? Flat, well-supported races like the Berlin Half or a runDisney event are forgiving debuts.
• Travel ease matters: Big-city halves (Berlin, Lisbon, Copenhagen) pair well with a weekend trip.

FAQ

Which half marathon is the fastest in the world? Valencia and Lisbon are widely regarded as the fastest, with multiple half-marathon world records set on their flat, sea-level (and in Lisbon's case, downhill) courses. Berlin and Copenhagen are also very quick big-city options for a personal best.

How big is the Great North Run? The Great North Run is the world's largest half marathon, with around 60,000 participants each September running from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields. Its scale, the Red Arrows flypast, and the seaside finish make it the most famous half on the calendar.

How much should I budget for a destination half marathon? Entry fees range from about €40 for European city races like Valencia to over $200 for marquee US events like runDisney or Rock 'n' Roll. Adding flights and a couple of nights of lodging typically brings an overseas half-marathon trip to roughly $800–$2,500.

Is a half marathon a good first big race? Yes. At 13.1 miles, a half marathon is a popular stepping stone between shorter road races and a full marathon, requiring meaningful training without the recovery demands of 26.2. Flat, well-supported races like the Berlin Half are friendly first targets.

Bottom Line

For the best half marathon overall, the Great North Run wins on scale, history, and atmosphere, while the Valencia Half Marathon is the Best Value, offering one of the fastest courses in the world at a budget-friendly entry. Match the course speed and vibe to whether you want a PR or an experience.

Sources

• Great North Run / Great Run Company (greatrun.org)
• Valencia Half Marathon (mediomaratonvalencia.com)
• Berlin Half Marathon (berlin-halbmarathon.de)
• EDP Lisbon Half Marathon (maratonaclubedeportugal.com)
• Copenhagen Half Marathon (cphhalf.dk)
• Rock 'n' Roll Running Series (runrocknroll.com)
• RunDisney official site (rundisney.com)
• World Athletics records (worldathletics.org)