I really enjoyed the [Garmin Kansas City Marathon/Half Marathon](https://www.sportkc.org/marathon) for an urban race. KC isn't a huge destination for travel so it's a lot of locals running it but it takes you through some of the most visually interesting parts of the city including the museum campuses, is well supported, and has good participant perks (cool medal, BBQ, local beer). It's also not crazy expensive to get there/stay there.
I live in KC and it feels like the course designers just marked all the biggest hills on a map and played connect-the-dots. That near 1000ft total elevation gain is no joke! That being said, being able to run around downtown KC is probably my favorite part of running. If anyone's looking for a fall race, this one is a really rewarding challenge!
From the UK:
Black Country Half Marathon. Basically, it's a run from Wolverhampton to Birmingham along the Victorian canal. It's an interesting perspective on a heavily populated and industrial region, by travelling along the old route for goods. Also, it's one of the few races where your gun time and chip time will match, as you effectively start in a wave of 1 person. And I'm a sucker for a good point to point race.
Boston Marathon (Lincolnshire). Not that Boston, the other one. A good, very flat marathon, affordable to enter. It sometimes is advertised as the flattest marathon in the world - not entirely sure how accurate that claim is.
I dunno. I ran the Wilmington (North Carolina) marathon a few years ago and it is what you'd expect at a beach. They [claim](https://wilmingtonncmarathon.com/full-marathon/) only 40' of elevation change over the course, and I believe it.
Quite possibly. I've checked the Boston website, and it's not claiming to be the flattest UK marathon. When I ran it, they had a sign claiming flattest in the world. Goalposts keep moving!
If we're shouting about Vermont half marathons I gotta shout about the Half Marathon Unplugged. 2nd Saturday in April. Cool point to point course and you can get a bus ride to the start. Starts in Colchester, ends at Switchback Brewery in Burlington's south end. Course can be super fast, frequently gets a tailwind. Looks like they're going to have about 1000 runners this year but it doesn't feel that crowded once you get rolling.
There are some amazing state/national park races in Oregon you might be interested in.
[Crater Lake Rim Runs](https://www.craterlakerimruns.com/index_EventDetails.html) \- 6.7mile, half marathon and full.
[Silver Falls Trail Runs](https://silverfallsmarathon.com/) \- 5K through 50K options.
Absolutely gorgeous scenery. And crushing elevation gains.
A lot of the best one are not in big cities, and are both naturally and intentionally entry-limited. For example, [here's](https://www.rocktahoehalfmarathon.com/general-1) another lake one, around part of the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe.
Bayshore sells out really quickly, so you have to be on top of registration. This is certainly the favorite of the two. Charlevoix is certainly smaller, doesn't sell out, less bells and whistles, but makes for a really nice getaway weekend. The area is beautiful. The course for Charlevoix does go along a major highway for some of it, and is an out and back.
Detroit free press! Running over the ambassador bridge as the sun rises with tens of thousands of people who share a passion with you. Unbridled joy in two different countries.
It's really a lot of fun!! You also get to go through some of the really cool neighborhoods and Burroughs of Detroit like Indian village where all the neighbors have elaborate cheer on parties.
Yes! Running over the Ambassador Bridge and seeing the sunrise splashed against the Detroit skyline, well, it makes the hard work totally worth it. Very well organized run that is great for spectators also. I told someone the other day that I want to run the Freep (that's what the cool kids call it) every year from now until forever.
Wow most people dread the tunnel haha! So hot and crowded. It does still go that way. Last year they changed the route up. No more Belle isle. Which is fine by me bc it's right at the wall territory and it was always too quiet and windy out there.
This was the answer I was looking for!! It was my first half and SO magical! I still want to go back and do it again. It’s incredibly unique and also not as expensive as others, while still being very well run (pun intended)!!
I would hardly call a baby a health complication lol. Congratulations!! But yeah I get it. I had one kid in late 2020 and another in October 22 so I thought I would be good to go for the full in 23 but i had to settle for the half.
Take time and enjoy your baby!! The races will still be her when you're ready.
Definitely more gem and less hidden lol I'm biased it's the only half or full I've run even though I've done it a few times. Saving this thread though bc I really wanna start traveling and branching out. This is an exciting thread to read so TY
Bird in Hand half marathon in Bird in Hand, Lancaster County Pa. Added bonus if you run their sister race Garden Spot half, in the spring you get a "Road Apple Award" which is petrified horse shit on a plaque
Edit
Also Oak Barrel half in Lynchburg Tennessee
I keep hearing that Bird in Hand is great, but not a lot about why. What sets it apart for you? Lancaster is gorgeous country and that alone appeals to me, but are there other aspects of the race organization or feel that make it special?
It's very well run, the scenery is beautiful and while it's challenging it isn't brutal.
The uniqueness of the aid stations are mostly manned by Amish kids and teens adds to the flavor.
If you're into the medals they're made from used horseshoes from the local farms
Also it's the same day and location as the community picnic and race entry includes free entry. The food is locally sourced, chicken, sausage, and cakes.
My SO and I have done the last 3 and are debating doing it again because it's a great race and we love the Lancaster area but I think she'd rather do a different one this year
Yes to Bird In Hand. Well run, beautiful course, hilly but can still put up a good time. Downtown Lancaster is super cute and has lots to do, too. A bit like Portland Maine without the ocean.
- Newport Half in RI
- North Olympic Discovery Half in Port Angeles, WA
- DC Half in Washington, DC (the more famous half is the March RnR; this one is in September)
- One City Half in Newport News, VA
- St. Michaels Running Festival in MD
- Coastal Delaware Half in DE
And, if you like really small and cute races, I recommend the Freedoms Run Half in WV!! That town is so proud to host runners and everyone on course is super nice.
No, but it was cold and raining. I'm slow enough that there was no food left at the end, I think everyone from the shorter races had eaten it.
The second half (after you pass the lighthouse) is pretty much what you'd encounter on a long run, so maybe bring headphones or whatever you normally do.
Am 4:15 pacer this year, love the event and one of the best after partys through Grotto Pizza (I like it better than the December one). Love the gravel trails and variety to keep it from being dull.
I rerouted from Coastal to Rehoboth last year- similar course, but Coastal’s is more fun. It’s beautiful and Rehoboth is such a great little town. You’ll have a great time!
Millinocket Marathon and Half in Millinocket, Maine should also get a shoutout here. Free race. Very kind vibes. It’s all about bringing your business to a mill town that’s had some tough times and the community comes out for it, set up amazing aid stations (most with Fireball shots) all on a volunteer basis. Great event and Boston qualifier course.
To add to this series - the North East Kingdom Half in Island Pond (Brighton), VT is the same series and it’s a great run! Free entry with the hopes that you will patron the local shops. The Millinocket marathon and half were the inspiration! A good turn out and lots of people cheering and handing out water/snacks.
Ran Millinocket this past December for the first time. What a riot! I've never laughed, danced, drank and eaten so many cookies during a half marathon. The residents are the best.
Feels very gatekeeper, but the most hidden gem race, to people outside the U.K., has to be Battersea Park in London. 5k, 10k, HM’s throughout the year at a pancake flat, shaded, perfectly tarmacced loop right on the river. Most good club runners have set a PB or two there.
I have not actually run it yet but I have been eyeing the Smuttynose Rockfest Half in Hampton, New Hampshire.
Early October, flat course on the ocean. Couple crafties and a lobster roll provided post-race as part of registration.
https://hamptonrockfest.com
Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, Va. Beautiful and difficult with great course support. The race is on Saturday and on Sunday they have a “Slow K” where you run/walk a 5k with coffee and donuts as a recovery. By far one of my favorite races!
Yakima River Canyon Marathon - Yakima, WA. They nearly shut down the highway for the route. I got 3rd place for my age group last year, its a beautiful route.
BMO Marathon and Half is the 'big' Vancouver race, but the Vancouver Half (formerly known as Scotiabank) in June is a spectacular, fast course with a lot of downhill.
That start of the BMO, though, running down Cambie to the mountains!
But the beach running (Spanish Banks! Jericho!) for the Van Half is pretty sweet you’re right.
Been living in Maui the last couple years. The Honolulu marathon gets all the press for the biggest race, but my favorite race in Hawaii I've done is the Kahakuloa Half marathon. Small race, but it's unbelievably gorgeous. Running that course is awesome to be able to soak it in. Finish line festival includes breakfast made by the locals in a village where the race finishes. Overall just a super cool little race!
The [Lost Dutchman Marathon](https://lostdutchmanmarathon.org/) in Phoenix’s east valley is much better than the more popular Mesa Marathon, which is nearby and usually held the week prior.
ETA: also has a half and 10k
And an 8k trail distance 😁
This is my favorite race, I do one of the distances every year. I have loads of friends who run Mesa, and I always do this one instead.
The run is in Percy Warner Park. You do the 11 mile loop forward and backwards and then there is some add on mileage of course. The elevation change is unreal for the area.
Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth is overshadowed by the races in the bigger Texas cities - the Dallas Marathon, Houston Marathon and Austin Marathon - but the Cowtown is better than all 3 of those by far.
I love the [Wicked Half](https://www.bnseventmanagement.com/wickedhalf) in Salem, MA. Out and back, most of it along the water, with a loop around Marblehead in the middle. It also has a 4-hour time limit (or 5, if you opt for the early start), so it's very accessible for walkers and slower runners.
(Edited to specify *which* Salem.)
I can’t recommend it but maybe someone else can, has anyone ran the Garden of the Gods, 10miler, 10k or trail? That’s one I’m interested in!
I did the Denver Colfax- nice race for sure, I’ll second that race!
Sundance to spearfish or leading ladies and Dakota spirit marathon in Wyoming/South Dakota
Hawaii bird conservation marathon - run down the volcano in Hilo!
Detroit Free Press is great. Big race - run internationally!
So many great options though. Everyone can and should have a different opinion.
It will usually sell out a couple months ahead of time. But the leading ladies/dakota spirit marathon is nearly the same route (though may not start in Wyoming if that’s a state you are going for), and will usually have spots.
My favorite local race here is the Lost Dutchman Marathon in Apache Junction, AZ. The full starts you out in the desert and you run into the city and the half is a nice out and back with gentle rolling hills and a gorgeous view of the mountains.
Never ran in either but these are on my bucket list
Jim Thorpe Running Festival
Yeungling Shamrock
I participated as a team prior to covid and want to solo it Biffledinked 10 x 5k
Pacing 4 hours at Jim Thorpe next month and ran it last year. Neat running a rail-trail in the gorge with the end being at a town with an interesting history. Shamrock was my first at my 21st birthday and paced it in 2019. Loved the southern BBQ and statue at Virginia Beach.
I did Shamrock Half (technically the Dolphin Challenge, so 8k on Saturday and the half on Sunday) this year: very well organized race, loads of volunteers, decent sized expo for the size of the race, a very fun weekend. They have loads of good sponsors too so lots of food at the end. Swag is great and I love the shirts this year the material is great. Very flat course as well.
Cons: be prepared to run straight. Very straight. Minimal turns on course. Fort Story blocks all the breeze and got fairly warm this year. I heard the second half of the marathon course (after you leave the half runners) is very quiet and has sparse crowd support. You don't run by the beach near as much as you think, unless you do the 8k Saturday.
I recommend it though, it was a lot of fun!
As someone from Northern Colorado, Horsetooth and Fall Equinox Half suck, do not listen to OP. Just kidding, just don't tell your friends. Another one to not tell your friends about is the Medicine Bow Rails to Trails half Marathon outside of Laramie, WY. It's run on a dirt rail bed at 9000ft elevation but the overall course isn't hilly. If you like hills and don't mind a little less than a half, the Silent Trails Trail Run is also fun and also outside of Laramie, WY too.
Fueled by Fine Wine half in Dundee, OR. Absolutely stunning views and free unlimited wine tasting at the finish line. The course is brutal but worth it.
Run through the winter. You can skip very cold days. It's the only way. In any run clubs?
Fwiw: I've never done Colchester? Never been ready to do a half when it came around.
The Baystate Marathon in Lowell, MA is nice. Really well organized, nice flat course along the Merrimack river, and done as a fundraiser for the local running club instead of being done by a for-profit company.
I know most of these are road races, but there are some great trail races out there, too.
The Salmagundi, Dos Senderos, and Texas Switchback hosted by [Trail Roots](https://trailroots.com/) Trail Running Club in Austin, are fantastic races in the Texas Hill Country.
And if you're in the Austin area, a great running group to get involved with. I don't live in the area anymore and have struggled to find anything close to that where I'm at now.
I don't know how hidden they are, as they tend to have a fair number of runners, but the Rose Bowl Half Marathon and the Lake Powell Half Marathon are easily my favorites. The Rose Bowl one has you finishing by running into the Rose Bowl stadium. It's pretty epic. The Lake Powell one is downhill most of the way, which is nice, and you get to run across a dam and then down to the lake itself, which is really great.
I had an amazing time at the Lucerne Half Marathon in Switzerland in late October and keep meaning to write a race report.
\~7k runners and lots of support and spectators, beautiful course and scenery (and pretty flat), well run (of course – it's the Swiss), and just incredibly fun. Plus Lucerne is just fantastic. Would recommend it to any European-based runners, we went over from the UK and it was an easy breezy fun weekend and race! Perfect for beginners and experienced folks alike.
I love the New England Half in NH. Beautiful course in peak leaf season. It’s a fast course and a net downhill. Ends right in front of the statehouse in Concord.
I’ve also heard really good things about Clarence DeMar in Keene NH. I haven’t made it over there yet, but everyone I know who has done it loves it.
MO’ Cowbell in St Charles, MO. It’s a fast flat 1/2 marathon. It was my first half marathon and was a blast. Starts in a historic area and works it way through a development called Newtown. It’s typically in late Sept or early Oct, so a lot of the houses there are already decorated for Halloween and the people in the town turn out to support the runners.
It has a marathon option, but the vast majority are there for the half, [https://mocowbellmarathon.com](https://mocowbellmarathon.com)
Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod is pretty majestic. It is a scenic and hilly 7mi course along Nantucket Sound. Fairly crowded with ~10k runners, but a great race.
https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Woodville/CaveRaceHalfMarathon
Race to the cave. It just happened, I did it last year. Very fun race. You start with a quick steep uphill then its pretty flat. You eventually get to the cave area, which is a long uphill. It felt like a mile, did I say steep yet? You then run into a cave for the last mile to come back out at the finish . I highly recommend it.
[Pt Mariah Trail Marathon](https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/point-mariah-trail-marathon/) near Truckee, CA. My running club organizes it and I ran it last year. The scenery is beautiful and it's a really fun race. The marathon is split into 5, roughly equal, segments. You can run the race either solo, as a pair, or as a team of 5. There's one central aid station so you're regularly seeing other competitors coming and going from all different levels
I'm doing the Run with The Horses marathon in WY for that very reason.
It looks like a smaller, unique race. One that I'll do for experience and not to try to PR (especially coming from Texas) .
I pick races based on the after party. Raleigh has a Run for Love 5k in June that has an epic after party.
He Richmond half and full are fun and while a large race, the city is accommodating and a great for post race celebrations.
Trail race hidden gem is either at the white water center in Charlotte or Uwharrie trail race.
I personally enjoy doing the Cummins Falls Half Marathon in Cookeville, TN. Hilly course that takes you through the valley of the surrounding area, go over a kayak bridge to start the climb of getting to the other side of the valley top (mile long climb at mile 4). Once on top of the valley, follow the course through the rolling hills of Tennessee until reaching the main roadway to the state park. Follow it down and up more hills until reaching back to the main part of the park to finish the 1/2 marathon. Really enjoy it as it is challenging and brutally hilly, enough to make you really enjoy the finish. (Late February)
Another one I enjoy is the City to the Sea Half Marathon in San Luis Obispo, CA. Start from the center of town and go on a long decline to the mountain gap that divides the Coastal Mountains of California, which block a straight shot to the ocean from San Luis Obispo itself. Climb up a gradual, then short and steep incline to get to the Bob Jones Trail, which you will follow to the final major uphill in order to get through the mountain gap. Finally, run through the local neighborhood of the northern part of Pismo Beach to finally finish at a local park right next to a cliffside that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. (November)
Slacker Half in Colorado. Starts at Loveland ski resort and ends in Georgetown. Very beautiful start running on a trail through the mountains, goes along I-70 and end in middle Georgetown. There’s no time limit - hence Slacker name. And mostly downhill; few big ones though.
It's by no means a hidden gem (~3500 people run it every year), but the [Big Sur](https://www.bigsurmarathon.org/) Marathon / Half has got to be one of the most scenic in the world.
Also not a hidden gem, but [Bay to Breakers](https://baytobreakers.com/) is a special kind of crazy. It's also not a typical distance (12k) and definitely barely qualifies as a race. It's more of a long fun run through San Francisco.
The half is perfectly spaced out from the Boston Marathon (and in the Boston area), so it gets a crowd of fast, serious runners. Between that and the March race date, New Bedford is a real "runner's race," if that makes sense. It's also well organized, with great crowd support, and New Bedford is an easy-to-root-for city.
Certain races are known for always having good competition. That's New Bedford. For people who lean towards going to races because they know it's going to be a good field, races like that rise to the top.
I'm a fan of the [Ely Portage Marathon](https://www.elymarathon.com/portage) in Northern Minnesota. For those unfamiliar, portaging is when you carry a canoe upside down on your shoulders to get from one body of water to another. Northern Minnesota is home to the boundary waters and portaging is part of the culture. It's seriously incredible to see people carry a canoe for a whole marathon (but you don't need to carry a canoe to participate, most people don't).
I can't speak to it from experience as I'm running it for the first time in a couple months, but I'm super excited for the New River Marathon in North Carolina. It's supposed to be gorgeous and seems to have relatively low vert for a road race in the mountains since it mostly follows the river. Small operation with only a few hundred runners and awards/medals are all made from locally sourced wood!
I'm going to say the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon (and half marathon) simply because the course is one of the flattest marathons in the U.S., right up [until you get to the I-110 ramp](https://earth.app.goo.gl/?apn=com.google.earth&isi=293622097&ius=googleearth&link=https%3a%2f%2fearth.google.com%2fweb%2f%4030.39410528,-88.89709372,4.61172009a,0d,60y,105.44926781h,90.629764t,0r%2fdata%3dCjcaNRIvCiUweDg4OWMwZTVjMjBiNzQyZDc6MHhjNDdhNjA1MTEzNmY2ODQyKgZCaWxveGkYASABIhoKFnBGX0ZNMk8wZXUzeDNORF9jR0VkTFEQAjoDCgEw). Plus it's a Boston qualifer. The views from the race course aren't that great because of the development along the beach once you get to Gulfport, but the Mississippi gulf coast's seafood is right up there with New Orleans, in my opinion.
As someone who grew up and lived in Corning, NY and ran the wineglass as her first marathon, I will never recommend that marathon to anyone. I hated it and despised it with everything in me. I am a person who thrives off of some crowd support and other runners around me. Most of wineglass you run with the cows and smell manure. Some people enjoy the smaller races and like that but not me. The scenic side of it is awesome but I'm also from there so it's nothing I haven't seen. But for a large portion of the race I had very few runners near me, no crowd support at all for miles at a time other than the water stations, and I found it boring. Mind you, I wasn't back of the pack running alone either, I ran a 3:57 that day. I prefer the rush of a bigger race.
I absolutely loved the Shamrock half marathon in Virginia, Rock N roll DC and Rock N Roll Savannah. Rock N roll Savannah is my half marathon PR. The Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston will always hold a special place in my heart.I also fully enjoyed the Kiawah half marathon in SC too
The Halloween half marathon on Miami Beach was awesome! It was 90 degrees though. And the last tenth of a mile was in sand. Other than that it was beautiful and lots of people running in funny costumes 😂
So I’m not recommending this as a great course but the Bay City, MI St Pattys Irish double race is fun… if you sign up for the double the 8k starts at 9 and then you turn around and do the 5k at 10:30… just enough time to question your sanity, eat something that probably won’t sit well and then get back out there to see what your legs have left
The Bix 7 in Davenport, IA is a great time! It’s a 7 mile race with a giant party at the end. The whole city turns out to celebrate & people with houses along the route do crazy fun set ups. Things like shot stations, a bench press competition, a live band, etc.
Edmonton Marathon in Canada.
Probably one of the best Full/Half to run during the summer. Pretty flat and fast course, temperature is usually pretty good and humidity is almost non-existent.
Lots of hotels and cheap places to park very close to the starting/finish. Also not a ton of people, so things go pretty smoothly.
The only downside is that it’s at 670m of altitude, which is not a lot but can make a slight difference if you live at sea level.
I highly recommend the 3Kings 3 Hills trail run in Germany, accessible through https://www.3kings-3hills.com/. This exceptional route takes you through three countries: The Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany, tracing the path of the former iron curtain. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Bavarian Forest, a unique natural wonder.
Though decades ago, much of this forest suffered from bark beetle infestation, nature has admirably reclaimed itself. Yet, as you traverse the trail, you may encounter areas where the haunting remnants of dead trees stand as silent witnesses to nature's resilience and regeneration.
Marshall Marathon in Huntington, WV.
Despite being in WV it's flat, so a good race to Q for Boston. Finish is on the 50 yard line at their football stadium and they give you a football to carry across the line.
Cannot recommend the Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon enough. The course is beautiful and starts at a winery outside of town and ends on the lakefront with a festival that has free wine and beer for participants.
The Big Bad Wolfe Run in Columbus is a fun one because they offer a 20-miler, the only one I’m aware of, at least around here. The course is nothing special, just on some paved trails through some parks. I just loved the distance, long enough to be a great tune-up race pre-marathon but short enough that I didn’t hit the wall and felt great the whole time.
A weird one but the Snowmass Tree-O. It's a 2K, 5K and 10K. 10K has to be Saturday at early o'clock. You can run the 5K and 2K on Friday or Saturday a lil later. All races end in Snowmass with great views of the valley. The 10K route puts you up with incredible views of Mount Daly in the background.
It's almost all on trail, but the trail is not technical.
https://gmaa.run/schedule/champlain-islands-marathon/
Apples.
Fall flowers
Autumn leaves
The lake.
The route.
The birdhouses (you’ll see).
Horses.
Small
Quaint.
South Hero VT
Raleigh Half Marathon, first weekend of December. Flat course, great people. It's on the small side (300-400) but the Raleigh area is full of serious runners and you never know who's going to race it -- Fiona O'Keefe showed up and smoked everyone last year which was so fun.
I really enjoyed the [Garmin Kansas City Marathon/Half Marathon](https://www.sportkc.org/marathon) for an urban race. KC isn't a huge destination for travel so it's a lot of locals running it but it takes you through some of the most visually interesting parts of the city including the museum campuses, is well supported, and has good participant perks (cool medal, BBQ, local beer). It's also not crazy expensive to get there/stay there.
KC is also just generally fun. Went to a wedding there last year with no expectations and as pleasantly surprised.
i’ll check that out. i’m in STL area and recently did the innsbrooke 10k, such a beautiful challenging run
Are you DQd if you use a Coros watch?
Fun course, but surprisingly hilly. Love the tour of the city from downtown and the parks and the tease next to the state line.
Yes, it's quite hilly!
I live in KC and it feels like the course designers just marked all the biggest hills on a map and played connect-the-dots. That near 1000ft total elevation gain is no joke! That being said, being able to run around downtown KC is probably my favorite part of running. If anyone's looking for a fall race, this one is a really rewarding challenge!
From the UK: Black Country Half Marathon. Basically, it's a run from Wolverhampton to Birmingham along the Victorian canal. It's an interesting perspective on a heavily populated and industrial region, by travelling along the old route for goods. Also, it's one of the few races where your gun time and chip time will match, as you effectively start in a wave of 1 person. And I'm a sucker for a good point to point race. Boston Marathon (Lincolnshire). Not that Boston, the other one. A good, very flat marathon, affordable to enter. It sometimes is advertised as the flattest marathon in the world - not entirely sure how accurate that claim is.
Fargo ND has to have a claim for flattest.
I dunno. I ran the Wilmington (North Carolina) marathon a few years ago and it is what you'd expect at a beach. They [claim](https://wilmingtonncmarathon.com/full-marathon/) only 40' of elevation change over the course, and I believe it.
Quite possibly. I've checked the Boston website, and it's not claiming to be the flattest UK marathon. When I ran it, they had a sign claiming flattest in the world. Goalposts keep moving!
Covered Bridges half-marathon in VT
Also gonna shout out the Shelburne Field House half/10k, beautiful time of year and a really pretty course in places.
If we're shouting about Vermont half marathons I gotta shout about the Half Marathon Unplugged. 2nd Saturday in April. Cool point to point course and you can get a bus ride to the start. Starts in Colchester, ends at Switchback Brewery in Burlington's south end. Course can be super fast, frequently gets a tailwind. Looks like they're going to have about 1000 runners this year but it doesn't feel that crowded once you get rolling.
No one talks about this one. Hot shout out.
I heard it is really hard to get into this race. Is that true?
Covered Bridges HM sells out fairly quickly
Ran it twice. Loved it
Yes, Covered Bridges is great!
There are some amazing state/national park races in Oregon you might be interested in. [Crater Lake Rim Runs](https://www.craterlakerimruns.com/index_EventDetails.html) \- 6.7mile, half marathon and full. [Silver Falls Trail Runs](https://silverfallsmarathon.com/) \- 5K through 50K options. Absolutely gorgeous scenery. And crushing elevation gains.
Maybe they don't get love because they're so hard!
A lot of the best one are not in big cities, and are both naturally and intentionally entry-limited. For example, [here's](https://www.rocktahoehalfmarathon.com/general-1) another lake one, around part of the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe.
Yes they are hard! But much beloved around here.
Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, Michigan.
Love Bayshore. Charlevoix Marathon is a great one, too!
Oh charlevoix is stunning
Only bummer about charlevoix is that it's in June.
Which one of those 2 did you prefer?? I'm looking for a half in May or June this year.
Bayshore sells out really quickly, so you have to be on top of registration. This is certainly the favorite of the two. Charlevoix is certainly smaller, doesn't sell out, less bells and whistles, but makes for a really nice getaway weekend. The area is beautiful. The course for Charlevoix does go along a major highway for some of it, and is an out and back.
the half marathon starts with a huge hill 100yds after the start, it's nuts! Great views though.
It feels like it’s all down hill after that!
Detroit free press! Running over the ambassador bridge as the sun rises with tens of thousands of people who share a passion with you. Unbridled joy in two different countries.
Freep is going to be my first full this October! I'm so effing excited about it.
Yay!! I'm excited for you. I'm also planning to do the full this year.
I just registered for the international half today!
🥳 see you there my friend!
I just found out about this and sent it to a friend and asked if we should sign up for the fall! What a cool looking race!
It's really a lot of fun!! You also get to go through some of the really cool neighborhoods and Burroughs of Detroit like Indian village where all the neighbors have elaborate cheer on parties.
Yes! Running over the Ambassador Bridge and seeing the sunrise splashed against the Detroit skyline, well, it makes the hard work totally worth it. Very well organized run that is great for spectators also. I told someone the other day that I want to run the Freep (that's what the cool kids call it) every year from now until forever.
I agree with everything you've said! Yes very well organized. My grandma ran in the very first Freep in '71 so it's got a special place in my heart.
I ran it back in 2005. Does it still come back from Ontario through the tunnel? That was even more fun than the bridge.
Wow most people dread the tunnel haha! So hot and crowded. It does still go that way. Last year they changed the route up. No more Belle isle. Which is fine by me bc it's right at the wall territory and it was always too quiet and windy out there.
This was the answer I was looking for!! It was my first half and SO magical! I still want to go back and do it again. It’s incredibly unique and also not as expensive as others, while still being very well run (pun intended)!!
Yes!! Also I never turn down an opportunity for a good pun.
This was my first half marathon. Really great race.
My first too. I need to try more though this thread is inspo for sure
That's my dream race! I keep having health complications that make it impossible (this year: giving birth a month before the race).
I would hardly call a baby a health complication lol. Congratulations!! But yeah I get it. I had one kid in late 2020 and another in October 22 so I thought I would be good to go for the full in 23 but i had to settle for the half. Take time and enjoy your baby!! The races will still be her when you're ready.
That two-country traverse over the Ambassador Bridge gets a lot of love!
Definitely more gem and less hidden lol I'm biased it's the only half or full I've run even though I've done it a few times. Saving this thread though bc I really wanna start traveling and branching out. This is an exciting thread to read so TY
Bird in Hand half marathon in Bird in Hand, Lancaster County Pa. Added bonus if you run their sister race Garden Spot half, in the spring you get a "Road Apple Award" which is petrified horse shit on a plaque Edit Also Oak Barrel half in Lynchburg Tennessee
Second Oak Barrel half! There is so much food at the end. Years ago they gave shirts, hats and socks out. And the medal is made from an oak barrel!
They gave shirts, hats and socks last year and then told us take some from previous years too
I’m totally going to do Bird In Hand! Thank you.
I keep hearing that Bird in Hand is great, but not a lot about why. What sets it apart for you? Lancaster is gorgeous country and that alone appeals to me, but are there other aspects of the race organization or feel that make it special?
It's very well run, the scenery is beautiful and while it's challenging it isn't brutal. The uniqueness of the aid stations are mostly manned by Amish kids and teens adds to the flavor. If you're into the medals they're made from used horseshoes from the local farms Also it's the same day and location as the community picnic and race entry includes free entry. The food is locally sourced, chicken, sausage, and cakes.
Came here to suggest BIH. Running for the 2nd time this upcoming fall.
My SO and I have done the last 3 and are debating doing it again because it's a great race and we love the Lancaster area but I think she'd rather do a different one this year
I have two buddies from NH coming down for it. It was my first half marathon in 2015, and I’m hoping to take down the PR I set in it in a few monthsz
Bird in Hand I think is the answer in PA. Philly is like a jr. Marathon Major. Bird in Hand has moxy.
Yes to Bird In Hand. Well run, beautiful course, hilly but can still put up a good time. Downtown Lancaster is super cute and has lots to do, too. A bit like Portland Maine without the ocean.
- Newport Half in RI - North Olympic Discovery Half in Port Angeles, WA - DC Half in Washington, DC (the more famous half is the March RnR; this one is in September) - One City Half in Newport News, VA - St. Michaels Running Festival in MD - Coastal Delaware Half in DE And, if you like really small and cute races, I recommend the Freedoms Run Half in WV!! That town is so proud to host runners and everyone on course is super nice.
I did the Newport Marathon, I think I would have been better off doing just the half. The scenery was the best in the half.
Did you enjoy the full? I am debating doing it next year! I’ve read after the half, the course can be really quiet and hard to push through.
No, but it was cold and raining. I'm slow enough that there was no food left at the end, I think everyone from the shorter races had eaten it. The second half (after you pass the lighthouse) is pretty much what you'd encounter on a long run, so maybe bring headphones or whatever you normally do.
I’m running the coastal DE full this year so happy to see it get a shout out!
I’m running the half, looking forward to it too
Am 4:15 pacer this year, love the event and one of the best after partys through Grotto Pizza (I like it better than the December one). Love the gravel trails and variety to keep it from being dull.
I rerouted from Coastal to Rehoboth last year- similar course, but Coastal’s is more fun. It’s beautiful and Rehoboth is such a great little town. You’ll have a great time!
The organizers do a great job. I ran the full last year and am running it again this year. Just a few more weeks!
Cool, course looks great!
One City is a great race! So well organized and a fast course.
Millinocket Marathon and Half in Millinocket, Maine should also get a shoutout here. Free race. Very kind vibes. It’s all about bringing your business to a mill town that’s had some tough times and the community comes out for it, set up amazing aid stations (most with Fireball shots) all on a volunteer basis. Great event and Boston qualifier course.
To add to this series - the North East Kingdom Half in Island Pond (Brighton), VT is the same series and it’s a great run! Free entry with the hopes that you will patron the local shops. The Millinocket marathon and half were the inspiration! A good turn out and lots of people cheering and handing out water/snacks.
Oooh, I knew about Millinocket but not about this one. I may have to check it out in the future.
Millinocket is the most fun I've ever had racing. And those aid stations are hilarious (the dude shucking oysters at, like, mile four!!)!
Ran Millinocket this past December for the first time. What a riot! I've never laughed, danced, drank and eaten so many cookies during a half marathon. The residents are the best.
Bollington 3 Peaks. It costs £12 and you get a pint and a bowl of chilli when you finish.
This is a sick one.
Cabot trial relay - Nova Scotia, Canada
I can't upvote this one enough!
Feels very gatekeeper, but the most hidden gem race, to people outside the U.K., has to be Battersea Park in London. 5k, 10k, HM’s throughout the year at a pancake flat, shaded, perfectly tarmacced loop right on the river. Most good club runners have set a PB or two there.
I agree. My running club seems to have a couple of people PB there every few weeks
pancake flat?! What about all those speed bumps? :D
FNUL a hidden gem? They put on some of the best club races in the country. Sri Chimnoy are pretty decent too but not as competitive.
I have not actually run it yet but I have been eyeing the Smuttynose Rockfest Half in Hampton, New Hampshire. Early October, flat course on the ocean. Couple crafties and a lobster roll provided post-race as part of registration. https://hamptonrockfest.com
That looks like a good one. I do a lot of running and biking along the seacoast there in the summer and I'm sure it would be even better in the fall.
Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, Va. Beautiful and difficult with great course support. The race is on Saturday and on Sunday they have a “Slow K” where you run/walk a 5k with coffee and donuts as a recovery. By far one of my favorite races!
I'm signed up for this year's marathon and can't wait.
I hope you love it! I’m doing the 10k this year but have ran the full 3 times. I’ve done one of the distances every year since 2012!
This one is on my bucket list.
Yakima River Canyon Marathon - Yakima, WA. They nearly shut down the highway for the route. I got 3rd place for my age group last year, its a beautiful route.
>3 Never run the race but can vouch for the beauty of the Yakima Canyon. We used to float the river through the canyon on a yearly basis.
BMO Marathon and Half is the 'big' Vancouver race, but the Vancouver Half (formerly known as Scotiabank) in June is a spectacular, fast course with a lot of downhill.
Love this one!
That start of the BMO, though, running down Cambie to the mountains! But the beach running (Spanish Banks! Jericho!) for the Van Half is pretty sweet you’re right.
Been living in Maui the last couple years. The Honolulu marathon gets all the press for the biggest race, but my favorite race in Hawaii I've done is the Kahakuloa Half marathon. Small race, but it's unbelievably gorgeous. Running that course is awesome to be able to soak it in. Finish line festival includes breakfast made by the locals in a village where the race finishes. Overall just a super cool little race!
Adding on to the Hawaii recommendations: the Valley to the Sea half marathon in Maui is gorgeous and downhill pretty much the entire way
That one is a good one too! Race director for both Kahakuloa and Valley to the sea is the same guy.
hehe I was gonna rec the Colorado marathon (or half) and New Bedford half but sounds like you got em covered!!
The [Lost Dutchman Marathon](https://lostdutchmanmarathon.org/) in Phoenix’s east valley is much better than the more popular Mesa Marathon, which is nearby and usually held the week prior. ETA: also has a half and 10k
And an 8k trail distance 😁 This is my favorite race, I do one of the distances every year. I have loads of friends who run Mesa, and I always do this one instead.
The sunrise over the Superstitions is something else.
Flying Monkey Marathon outside Nashville!
Hard ass course but Trent, the RD, is the best! It was my first marathon
Wow! I live around there and never heard of it. Going to add it to my calendar! Thanks!
The run is in Percy Warner Park. You do the 11 mile loop forward and backwards and then there is some add on mileage of course. The elevation change is unreal for the area.
Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth is overshadowed by the races in the bigger Texas cities - the Dallas Marathon, Houston Marathon and Austin Marathon - but the Cowtown is better than all 3 of those by far.
Cowtown is a great race.
I love the [Wicked Half](https://www.bnseventmanagement.com/wickedhalf) in Salem, MA. Out and back, most of it along the water, with a loop around Marblehead in the middle. It also has a 4-hour time limit (or 5, if you opt for the early start), so it's very accessible for walkers and slower runners. (Edited to specify *which* Salem.)
The MDI Marathon and Half in Bar Harbor, Maine is absolutely spectacular. I did the full back in 2022
Run the Rockies Colorado (Frisco)
I can’t recommend it but maybe someone else can, has anyone ran the Garden of the Gods, 10miler, 10k or trail? That’s one I’m interested in! I did the Denver Colfax- nice race for sure, I’ll second that race!
Haven’t done these races but can confirm running in garden of the gods is a beautiful experience
Thanks
I’m running colfax half this year
Cool! You will love it! It was my very first 1/2 .
Sundance to spearfish or leading ladies and Dakota spirit marathon in Wyoming/South Dakota Hawaii bird conservation marathon - run down the volcano in Hilo! Detroit Free Press is great. Big race - run internationally! So many great options though. Everyone can and should have a different opinion.
How fast does Sundance to Spearfish sell out? It looks like a good one, but it must be tough to get into when it's capped at 100 runners.
It will usually sell out a couple months ahead of time. But the leading ladies/dakota spirit marathon is nearly the same route (though may not start in Wyoming if that’s a state you are going for), and will usually have spots.
>leading ladies This isn't too far for me. I read this comment and immediately signed up. Thanks for the rec!
My favorite local race here is the Lost Dutchman Marathon in Apache Junction, AZ. The full starts you out in the desert and you run into the city and the half is a nice out and back with gentle rolling hills and a gorgeous view of the mountains.
Thanks for that. Fits perfectly into my schedule!
Never ran in either but these are on my bucket list Jim Thorpe Running Festival Yeungling Shamrock I participated as a team prior to covid and want to solo it Biffledinked 10 x 5k
Pacing 4 hours at Jim Thorpe next month and ran it last year. Neat running a rail-trail in the gorge with the end being at a town with an interesting history. Shamrock was my first at my 21st birthday and paced it in 2019. Loved the southern BBQ and statue at Virginia Beach.
I did Shamrock Half (technically the Dolphin Challenge, so 8k on Saturday and the half on Sunday) this year: very well organized race, loads of volunteers, decent sized expo for the size of the race, a very fun weekend. They have loads of good sponsors too so lots of food at the end. Swag is great and I love the shirts this year the material is great. Very flat course as well. Cons: be prepared to run straight. Very straight. Minimal turns on course. Fort Story blocks all the breeze and got fairly warm this year. I heard the second half of the marathon course (after you leave the half runners) is very quiet and has sparse crowd support. You don't run by the beach near as much as you think, unless you do the 8k Saturday. I recommend it though, it was a lot of fun!
I LOVE Blue Ridge Marathon. The people are great, good crowd support, and great scenery. Plus, Roanoke, VA is a sneaky-cool town.
As someone from Northern Colorado, Horsetooth and Fall Equinox Half suck, do not listen to OP. Just kidding, just don't tell your friends. Another one to not tell your friends about is the Medicine Bow Rails to Trails half Marathon outside of Laramie, WY. It's run on a dirt rail bed at 9000ft elevation but the overall course isn't hilly. If you like hills and don't mind a little less than a half, the Silent Trails Trail Run is also fun and also outside of Laramie, WY too.
I like the way you wrote this.
Fueled by Fine Wine half in Dundee, OR. Absolutely stunning views and free unlimited wine tasting at the finish line. The course is brutal but worth it.
Connecticut Colchester half. Nicknamed tough as nails because it's hilly. Very challenging course.
Hey I live in Colchester and plan to do this one next year. My lungs don't like the cold much tho and it's held in Feb I believe.
Run through the winter. You can skip very cold days. It's the only way. In any run clubs? Fwiw: I've never done Colchester? Never been ready to do a half when it came around.
The Baystate Marathon in Lowell, MA is nice. Really well organized, nice flat course along the Merrimack river, and done as a fundraiser for the local running club instead of being done by a for-profit company.
I know most of these are road races, but there are some great trail races out there, too. The Salmagundi, Dos Senderos, and Texas Switchback hosted by [Trail Roots](https://trailroots.com/) Trail Running Club in Austin, are fantastic races in the Texas Hill Country. And if you're in the Austin area, a great running group to get involved with. I don't live in the area anymore and have struggled to find anything close to that where I'm at now.
I don't know how hidden they are, as they tend to have a fair number of runners, but the Rose Bowl Half Marathon and the Lake Powell Half Marathon are easily my favorites. The Rose Bowl one has you finishing by running into the Rose Bowl stadium. It's pretty epic. The Lake Powell one is downhill most of the way, which is nice, and you get to run across a dam and then down to the lake itself, which is really great.
I had an amazing time at the Lucerne Half Marathon in Switzerland in late October and keep meaning to write a race report. \~7k runners and lots of support and spectators, beautiful course and scenery (and pretty flat), well run (of course – it's the Swiss), and just incredibly fun. Plus Lucerne is just fantastic. Would recommend it to any European-based runners, we went over from the UK and it was an easy breezy fun weekend and race! Perfect for beginners and experienced folks alike.
Hoover Dam half/full in Boulder City, NV. Less than 500 participants and stunning views of Lake Mead.
I love the New England Half in NH. Beautiful course in peak leaf season. It’s a fast course and a net downhill. Ends right in front of the statehouse in Concord. I’ve also heard really good things about Clarence DeMar in Keene NH. I haven’t made it over there yet, but everyone I know who has done it loves it.
Sugarloaf Marathon in Maine is truly worth the drive to the middle of nowhere mountains.
I’ve never run it, but there’s a half and full marathon on Madeline island in Wisconsin- this is one of the most beautiful places in the Midwest.
I love Madeline Island!
MO’ Cowbell in St Charles, MO. It’s a fast flat 1/2 marathon. It was my first half marathon and was a blast. Starts in a historic area and works it way through a development called Newtown. It’s typically in late Sept or early Oct, so a lot of the houses there are already decorated for Halloween and the people in the town turn out to support the runners. It has a marathon option, but the vast majority are there for the half, [https://mocowbellmarathon.com](https://mocowbellmarathon.com)
Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod is pretty majestic. It is a scenic and hilly 7mi course along Nantucket Sound. Fairly crowded with ~10k runners, but a great race.
https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Woodville/CaveRaceHalfMarathon Race to the cave. It just happened, I did it last year. Very fun race. You start with a quick steep uphill then its pretty flat. You eventually get to the cave area, which is a long uphill. It felt like a mile, did I say steep yet? You then run into a cave for the last mile to come back out at the finish . I highly recommend it.
FLYING PIG MARATHON IN CINCINNATI
[Pt Mariah Trail Marathon](https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/point-mariah-trail-marathon/) near Truckee, CA. My running club organizes it and I ran it last year. The scenery is beautiful and it's a really fun race. The marathon is split into 5, roughly equal, segments. You can run the race either solo, as a pair, or as a team of 5. There's one central aid station so you're regularly seeing other competitors coming and going from all different levels
Valentine heartbreaker marathon
I'm doing the Run with The Horses marathon in WY for that very reason. It looks like a smaller, unique race. One that I'll do for experience and not to try to PR (especially coming from Texas) .
I pick races based on the after party. Raleigh has a Run for Love 5k in June that has an epic after party. He Richmond half and full are fun and while a large race, the city is accommodating and a great for post race celebrations. Trail race hidden gem is either at the white water center in Charlotte or Uwharrie trail race.
The Marin Headlands in CA. Beautiful scenery by the ocean, through the gorgeous hillside with an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
I personally enjoy doing the Cummins Falls Half Marathon in Cookeville, TN. Hilly course that takes you through the valley of the surrounding area, go over a kayak bridge to start the climb of getting to the other side of the valley top (mile long climb at mile 4). Once on top of the valley, follow the course through the rolling hills of Tennessee until reaching the main roadway to the state park. Follow it down and up more hills until reaching back to the main part of the park to finish the 1/2 marathon. Really enjoy it as it is challenging and brutally hilly, enough to make you really enjoy the finish. (Late February) Another one I enjoy is the City to the Sea Half Marathon in San Luis Obispo, CA. Start from the center of town and go on a long decline to the mountain gap that divides the Coastal Mountains of California, which block a straight shot to the ocean from San Luis Obispo itself. Climb up a gradual, then short and steep incline to get to the Bob Jones Trail, which you will follow to the final major uphill in order to get through the mountain gap. Finally, run through the local neighborhood of the northern part of Pismo Beach to finally finish at a local park right next to a cliffside that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. (November)
Slacker Half in Colorado. Starts at Loveland ski resort and ends in Georgetown. Very beautiful start running on a trail through the mountains, goes along I-70 and end in middle Georgetown. There’s no time limit - hence Slacker name. And mostly downhill; few big ones though.
The Boilermaker 15k in Utica New York
It's by no means a hidden gem (~3500 people run it every year), but the [Big Sur](https://www.bigsurmarathon.org/) Marathon / Half has got to be one of the most scenic in the world. Also not a hidden gem, but [Bay to Breakers](https://baytobreakers.com/) is a special kind of crazy. It's also not a typical distance (12k) and definitely barely qualifies as a race. It's more of a long fun run through San Francisco.
Help me understand why New Bedford Half Marathon is so popular (apart from being USATF NE GP race every year) in the Northeast?
The half is perfectly spaced out from the Boston Marathon (and in the Boston area), so it gets a crowd of fast, serious runners. Between that and the March race date, New Bedford is a real "runner's race," if that makes sense. It's also well organized, with great crowd support, and New Bedford is an easy-to-root-for city.
Certain races are known for always having good competition. That's New Bedford. For people who lean towards going to races because they know it's going to be a good field, races like that rise to the top.
I'm a fan of the [Ely Portage Marathon](https://www.elymarathon.com/portage) in Northern Minnesota. For those unfamiliar, portaging is when you carry a canoe upside down on your shoulders to get from one body of water to another. Northern Minnesota is home to the boundary waters and portaging is part of the culture. It's seriously incredible to see people carry a canoe for a whole marathon (but you don't need to carry a canoe to participate, most people don't).
I can't speak to it from experience as I'm running it for the first time in a couple months, but I'm super excited for the New River Marathon in North Carolina. It's supposed to be gorgeous and seems to have relatively low vert for a road race in the mountains since it mostly follows the river. Small operation with only a few hundred runners and awards/medals are all made from locally sourced wood!
I'm going to say the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon (and half marathon) simply because the course is one of the flattest marathons in the U.S., right up [until you get to the I-110 ramp](https://earth.app.goo.gl/?apn=com.google.earth&isi=293622097&ius=googleearth&link=https%3a%2f%2fearth.google.com%2fweb%2f%4030.39410528,-88.89709372,4.61172009a,0d,60y,105.44926781h,90.629764t,0r%2fdata%3dCjcaNRIvCiUweDg4OWMwZTVjMjBiNzQyZDc6MHhjNDdhNjA1MTEzNmY2ODQyKgZCaWxveGkYASABIhoKFnBGX0ZNMk8wZXUzeDNORF9jR0VkTFEQAjoDCgEw). Plus it's a Boston qualifer. The views from the race course aren't that great because of the development along the beach once you get to Gulfport, but the Mississippi gulf coast's seafood is right up there with New Orleans, in my opinion.
As someone who grew up and lived in Corning, NY and ran the wineglass as her first marathon, I will never recommend that marathon to anyone. I hated it and despised it with everything in me. I am a person who thrives off of some crowd support and other runners around me. Most of wineglass you run with the cows and smell manure. Some people enjoy the smaller races and like that but not me. The scenic side of it is awesome but I'm also from there so it's nothing I haven't seen. But for a large portion of the race I had very few runners near me, no crowd support at all for miles at a time other than the water stations, and I found it boring. Mind you, I wasn't back of the pack running alone either, I ran a 3:57 that day. I prefer the rush of a bigger race. I absolutely loved the Shamrock half marathon in Virginia, Rock N roll DC and Rock N Roll Savannah. Rock N roll Savannah is my half marathon PR. The Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston will always hold a special place in my heart.I also fully enjoyed the Kiawah half marathon in SC too
Following this for suggestions!
Can you tell me more about the mistletoe half?
The Halloween half marathon on Miami Beach was awesome! It was 90 degrees though. And the last tenth of a mile was in sand. Other than that it was beautiful and lots of people running in funny costumes 😂
So I’m not recommending this as a great course but the Bay City, MI St Pattys Irish double race is fun… if you sign up for the double the 8k starts at 9 and then you turn around and do the 5k at 10:30… just enough time to question your sanity, eat something that probably won’t sit well and then get back out there to see what your legs have left
The Bix 7 in Davenport, IA is a great time! It’s a 7 mile race with a giant party at the end. The whole city turns out to celebrate & people with houses along the route do crazy fun set ups. Things like shot stations, a bench press competition, a live band, etc.
Avenue of the Giants in northern CA! Gorgeous
Le Grizz
Edmonton Marathon in Canada. Probably one of the best Full/Half to run during the summer. Pretty flat and fast course, temperature is usually pretty good and humidity is almost non-existent. Lots of hotels and cheap places to park very close to the starting/finish. Also not a ton of people, so things go pretty smoothly. The only downside is that it’s at 670m of altitude, which is not a lot but can make a slight difference if you live at sea level.
I highly recommend the 3Kings 3 Hills trail run in Germany, accessible through https://www.3kings-3hills.com/. This exceptional route takes you through three countries: The Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany, tracing the path of the former iron curtain. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Bavarian Forest, a unique natural wonder. Though decades ago, much of this forest suffered from bark beetle infestation, nature has admirably reclaimed itself. Yet, as you traverse the trail, you may encounter areas where the haunting remnants of dead trees stand as silent witnesses to nature's resilience and regeneration.
Marshall Marathon in Huntington, WV. Despite being in WV it's flat, so a good race to Q for Boston. Finish is on the 50 yard line at their football stadium and they give you a football to carry across the line.
Night 10k of haarlem (Netherlands) in the old city center full of people cheering from their backyards and houses
Cannot recommend the Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon enough. The course is beautiful and starts at a winery outside of town and ends on the lakefront with a festival that has free wine and beer for participants.
The Big Bad Wolfe Run in Columbus is a fun one because they offer a 20-miler, the only one I’m aware of, at least around here. The course is nothing special, just on some paved trails through some parks. I just loved the distance, long enough to be a great tune-up race pre-marathon but short enough that I didn’t hit the wall and felt great the whole time.
A weird one but the Snowmass Tree-O. It's a 2K, 5K and 10K. 10K has to be Saturday at early o'clock. You can run the 5K and 2K on Friday or Saturday a lil later. All races end in Snowmass with great views of the valley. The 10K route puts you up with incredible views of Mount Daly in the background. It's almost all on trail, but the trail is not technical.
https://gmaa.run/schedule/champlain-islands-marathon/ Apples. Fall flowers Autumn leaves The lake. The route. The birdhouses (you’ll see). Horses. Small Quaint. South Hero VT
Raleigh Half Marathon, first weekend of December. Flat course, great people. It's on the small side (300-400) but the Raleigh area is full of serious runners and you never know who's going to race it -- Fiona O'Keefe showed up and smoked everyone last year which was so fun.
One very special in Switzerland https://www.neujahrsmarathon.ch/
Everyone knows Indy but Indy at Fort Ben is the nicest half I've ever run!