If you’re looking to PR your next half then we’ve rounded up a list of the fastest half marathons to help make it possible. We almost said fastest half marathons in the US, but then snuck in Toronto, so ok North America.
What contributes to a fast half marathon course?
- Cooler weather
- Flat or net downhill
- Less crowded
- Well-executed
Remember that weather is never guaranteed and a steep downhill course requires extra knee strength! It’s not an automatic PR just because it sounds easier. Checkout our 7 Tips For Downhill Running to level up your chances of a great race day.
10 Fastest Half Marathons
Let’s get down to it! After decades of coaching runners, asking for feedback through our weekly online polls and research, we’ve narrowed the list down to these races.
Naples Half Marathon
Date: January 18th, 2026Location: Naples, FL, USAType: LoopProfile: Fast and Flat
One of the most notable things about this race is that since it winds through neighborhoods in the town of Naples, it has a zero-foot elevation gain…