RaceRaves announces the 2026 Best Half Marathons in the U.S.

April 30, 2026

Nationwide poll crowns the top 13.1 milers in all 50 states

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 30, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The runners have spoken, the votes have been tallied, and RaceRaves—the nation’s premier race finder and reviews community—has officially unveiled its 2026 Runners Choice awards for the Best Half Marathons in the U.S.

Featuring a profile of every winning event by state plus a shout-out to each runner-up, the company’s authoritative guide will help novice and veteran runners alike discover great events and build their all-star half marathon wish list. This year’s lineup includes 15 new winners and 33 new runners-up compared to the 2024 results.

The 2026 winners were determined by a nationwide poll that saw nearly 20,000 votes cast to identify the top half marathon in every state. This release serves as the highly anticipated companion piece to the company’s Runners Choice: Best Marathons in the U.S. feature, which was published most recently in October 2025.

The Cowtown—the pride of Fort Worth, Texas—earned distinction as the top vote-getter in the country.

The passion and power of the running community was also evident in the write-in category: both the Bay of Fundy International Half Marathon (Maine) and the Mount Dora Half Marathon (Florida) staged notable grassroots campaigns, as each captured more than 11% of their respective state’s total votes.

Consistent excellence in race production also took center stage, as three event management companies celebrated wins across multiple states:

• Vacation Races: Ruled the Mountain West with wins in Colorado, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
• FRESHJUNKIE Racing: Dominated the Gulf Coast with top honors in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
• Ventures Endurance: Secured a trifecta of wins in Maine, New Hampshire, and North Dakota.

“The half marathon remains an incredibly popular distance among U.S. runners, and this year’s results showcase the awesome diversity of our sport,” said RaceRaves Co-founder Mike Sohaskey. “From energetic big-city events to scenic boutique races, runners are seeking out high-quality experiences that offer more than a finish line. By shining a spotlight on these favorites across all 50 states, we’re proud to provide a platform where the running community can share their authentic voices and help their fellow athletes discover their next favorite race.”

The complete lineup of winners and runners-up for all 50 states, featuring race profiles and runner reviews, is available now on RaceRaves.com.

About RaceRaves
Founded in 2014, RaceRaves.com is the premier race finder and reviews community for runners worldwide to share their experiences and find their next challenge. With a robust race database, intuitive search tools, 45K finisher reviews, and compelling editorial content, RaceRaves serves as a trusted resource for runners and endurance athletes. With its authentic voice and highly engaged audience, RaceRaves helps events and brands connect with runners of all abilities.