The Great North Run is the best half marathon in the world, on 12 September 2027 with 63,000 participants in 2026. Göteborgsvarvet (22 May 2027) is #2 and is sold out, and Valencia (24 October 2027) is #3. Dates come from each organizer or the SuperHalfs series.
A Georgian-city half that raises money for charity
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Great North Run
Best for a fast time
Valencia Half Marathon
Best for landmarks
EDP Lisbon Half Marathon
Best flat spring race
Berlin Half Marathon
Best for charity runners
Bath Half Marathon
The ranking
1
Great North Run
Photo: Julia from birmingham, england / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe biggest half marathon in the world, from Newcastle to South Shields.
2027 date: Sunday 12 September 2027, 10:50 am start from the Central Motorway in NewcastleField size: 63,000 participants ran in 2026Course: From the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne to South ShieldsEntry: The September ballot has passed; a January ballot for 2027 is planned and charity places are availableHistory: Run since 1981; 1.4 million runners have run it before the 2026 field
The Great North Run is on 12 September 2027, starting at 10:50 am on the Central Motorway in Newcastle. In 2026 it had 63,000 participants on the route to South Shields, and a January ballot is planned for 2027 entries.
Go ifRunners who want the biggest half marathon on the calendar
Skip ifYou cannot enter the January ballot or raise money for a charity place
Why #1 over #2: Its 63,000 participants come ahead of the 55,000 who signed up for Göteborgsvarvet.
2
Göteborgsvarvet
Photo: Huggorm / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictSweden’s sold-out festival half marathon.
2027 date: Saturday 22 May 2027Entry: Sold out in just a few days, the earliest sell-out in its history; an official waiting list lets registered runners transfer entriesField size: 55,000 runners signed up for 2026Course: Through Slottsskogen, along the quays of Hisingen and down Avenyn, finishing at SlottsskogsvallenCrowds: 50 music stations and over 200,000 spectators
Göteborgsvarvet is on 22 May 2027 and sold out in just a few days. The course runs through Slottsskogen, along the quays of Hisingen and down Avenyn to a finish at Slottsskogsvallen.
Go ifA huge, festive city half through Gothenburg
Skip ifYou did not register before the 2027 race sold out
Why #2 over #3: Its 50 music stations and 200,000 spectators sit ahead of Valencia’s 25,000 bibs.
3
Valencia Half Marathon
Photo: ChiralJon / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe world’s speed benchmark for 21.097 kilometers.
2027 date: Sunday 24 October 2027 (Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich)Entry: 25,000 bibs for 2027: a loyalty phase on 5 to 9 November, then a ballot from 10 to 16 November, draw on 17 November (2026 dates)Field size: More than 25,700 people crossed the finish line in 2026Fast times: Letesenbet Gidey’s 1:02:52 from 2021 remains unbeaten; Valencia holds seven of the top ten fastest men’s times in historyLatest results: Rodrigue Kwizera won in 58:03, a Spanish record
The Valencia Half Marathon is on 24 October 2027 with 25,000 bibs and a loyalty phase and ballot for entry. More than 25,700 finished in 2026, when Rodrigue Kwizera won in 58:03.
Go ifRunners chasing a personal best on the fastest half marathon course
Skip ifYou miss the November ballot window
Why #3 over #4: Its unbeaten 1:02:52 and seven of the top ten men’s times beat the Lisbon course’s bridge start.
4
EDP Lisbon Half Marathon
Photo: vera46 / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fast half that starts on the 25 de Abril Bridge.
2027 date: Sunday 7 March 2027, 09:20 AM startEntry: Registrations are open on the official site; time limit 3 hoursField size: Participant limit of 20,000Course: Starts in the middle of the 25 de Abril Bridge and ends at the Jerónimos MonasteryStart access: Fertagus trains to Pragal station are the only way to reach the start and are free with a bib
The EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is on 7 March 2027 at 09:20 AM with a participant limit of 20,000. It starts in the middle of the 25 de Abril Bridge and ends at the Jerónimos Monastery.
Go ifA bridge start and a monastery finish in early spring
Skip ifYou do not want to catch a train to the start
Why #4 over #5: Its bridge start and monastery finish come with open registration, where Berlin’s entry is a lottery.
5
Berlin Half Marathon
Photo: Dr. Frank Gaeth / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictBerlin’s lottery-entry half, from the Victory Column to the Brandenburg Gate.
2027 date: Sunday 4 April 2027 (the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON)Entry: Lottery: registration ran 2 April to 28 May 2026; charity, tour operator and running camp bibs are the other routesEntry fee: €89Course: Low elevation profile, from a start with a view of the Victory Column to a finish at the Brandenburg GateLatest results: Andrea Kiptoo won the 45th edition in 59:11 (2026)
The Berlin Half Marathon is on 4 April 2027 and entry was by lottery (€89). The low-elevation course runs from a start with a view of the Victory Column to the Brandenburg Gate.
Go ifA flat spring half that finishes at the Brandenburg Gate
Skip ifYou need a guaranteed place without a charity or tour entry
Why #5 over #6: Its Brandenburg Gate finish and €89 fee come ahead of Copenhagen’s 188,522-entry lottery.
6
Copenhagen Half Marathon
Photo: Leif Jørgensen / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA 45,000-place lottery race through Copenhagen and Frederiksberg.
2027 date: Sunday 19 September 2027, 9:30Entry: Lottery: a record 188,522 runners entered for the 2027 raceField size: 45,000 places for 2027Course: 21.0975 km through Copenhagen and Frederiksberg, built for fast times
The Copenhagen Half Marathon is on 19 September 2027 at 9:30, with 45,000 places. A record 188,522 runners entered the lottery for a 21.0975 km course through Copenhagen and Frederiksberg.
Go ifA fast September half with loud crowds
Skip ifYou did not win a lottery place
Why #6 over #7: Its 45,000 places are more than Prague’s 17,000 runners in 2026.
7
Prague Half Marathon
Photo: Petr Kadlec / CC BY-SA 3.0 cz via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA World Athletics Elite Label half in the Czech capital.
2027 date: Saturday 3 April 2027 (Generali Prague Half Marathon)Field size: 17,000 runners in 2026Course record, men: 0:58:24 by Sabastian Sawe (KEN)Course record, women: 1:04:52 by Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN)Label: World Athletics Road Race Elite Label
The Prague Half Marathon is on 3 April 2027 and has a World Athletics Road Race Elite Label. Its course records are 0:58:24 for men (Sabastian Sawe) and 1:04:52 for women (Joyciline Jepkosgei).
Go ifA record-breaking course through historic Prague
Skip ifYou want a field of tens of thousands
Why #7 over #8: Its Elite Label and records come ahead of New York’s drawing-based entry.
8
United Airlines NYC Half
Photo: Jim.henderson / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictNew York’s March half marathon, entered by drawing.
2027 date: Sunday 21 March 2027, 7:00 AM startEntry: Non-guaranteed drawing: applications 21 October to 11 November 2026, drawn on 18 November 2026Entry fee: $142.76 for members and $169.20 for non-membersCharity entry: Guaranteed entry for runners who pledge to raise funds for an official charity partner, including Team for KidsDistance: 13.1 miles in New York City
The United Airlines NYC Half is on 21 March 2027 at 7:00 AM over 13.1 miles. Applications ran 21 October to 11 November 2026 with a drawing on 18 November 2026, and fees are $142.76 for members and $169.20 for non-members.
Go ifA New York City half with a charity route in
Skip ifYou miss the drawing window and cannot fundraise
Why #8 over #9: Its published fees and charity entry route come ahead of Cardiff’s October date.
9
Cardiff Half Marathon
Photo: Gareth James / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe flat, fast half through Cardiff.
2027 date: Sunday 3 October 2027Field size: A mass race field of over 29,000 registered runnersCourse: Starts outside Cardiff Castle, runs to Penarth and Cardiff Bay, loops Roath Park Lake and finishes at the Civic CentreLabel: Elite Road Race Label from World Athletics; hosted the World Half Marathon Championships in 2016
The Cardiff Half Marathon is on 3 October 2027 with over 29,000 registered runners. It starts outside Cardiff Castle, runs to Penarth and Cardiff Bay, loops Roath Park Lake and finishes at the Civic Centre.
Go ifA flat, fast Welsh capital course with a grandstand finish
Skip ifYou want a spring date
Why #9 over #10: Its field of over 29,000 is larger than the fields at Valencia and Lisbon.
10
Bath Half Marathon
Photo: Tobyayre / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA traffic-free 13.1 miles through Bath.
2027 date: Sunday 14 March 2027 (GetPRO Bath Half)Entry: Missed out on general entry? Charity places are offeredCourse: Traffic-free streets in the heart of Bath, 13.1 milesHistory: First held in 1982; more than £30 million raised for charity since 2000
The Bath Half Marathon is on 14 March 2027 on traffic-free streets in the heart of Bath. It was first held in 1982, and more than £30 million has been raised for charity since 2000.
Go ifA Georgian-city half that raises money for charity
Skip ifYou need a general-entry place
How we ranked these
We ranked the ten on the field size, speed and course facts each organizer publishes, then on how open entry is for 2027. Dates are the organizer’s own, or the SuperHalfs series list for Valencia and Prague; entry windows and fees are the organizers’ own and can change. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the biggest half marathon in the world?
The Great North Run describes itself as the world’s biggest half marathon, with 63,000 participants in 2026. It runs on 12 September 2027 from Newcastle to South Shields.
Which half marathon is the fastest?
Valencia. Letesenbet Gidey’s 1:02:52 from 2021 remains unbeaten there, and Valencia holds seven of the top ten fastest men’s times in history. The 2027 race is on 24 October 2027.
How do I get into the Berlin Half Marathon?
By lottery. Registration for the 4 April 2027 race ran from 2 April to 28 May 2026 and the fee is €89; charity, tour operator and running camp bibs are other routes.
Is the Göteborgsvarvet 2027 sold out?
Yes. All entries sold out in just a few days, the earliest sell-out in its history; an official waiting list lets registered runners transfer their entries.
Field size each organizer publishes (runners) at a glance
Prague Half Marathon17,000 runners
EDP Lisbon Half Marathon20,000 runners
Valencia Half Marathon25,000 runners
Cardiff Half Marathon29,000 runners
Copenhagen Half Marathon45,000 runners
Göteborgsvarvet55,000 runners
Great North Run63,000 runners
Field size each organizer publishes (runners), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
