Half Marathon

What are the reasons that make the half marathon so popular among runners and race organizers? What is it about this distance that makes it a staple of many competitions? 🤔 To answer these questions, let's start with the basics: the half marathon is exactly half of the marathon. Symbolically, this already represents a big step in the minds of some runners. But it's not just in the minds of runners that this distance is important! 😌 Athletically, it's also a true challenge. You'll agree that it's relatively easy to complete a 5 km, and even a 10 km, which are, to some extent, accessible races for everyone. However, running 21 km is a different story requiring more advanced training and great determination! Reaching this new milestone is, therefore, a goal for many. This distance marks a significant achievement as a runner and often remains the first major step before tackling the sacred marathon. For many, several months of preparation are necessary before crossing the finish line 🏁.

For more experienced and high-level athletes, however, completing a half marathon is a way to maintain a certain level of endurance without "burning out" before running a marathon. It remains an essential exercise in their preparation. There are also athletes for whom finishing a 21 km is an end in itself, and who train with one goal: breaking current records ⏱️. Currently, the world records for the half marathon are held by Ugandan Jacob Kiplomo, who completed the Barcelona Half Marathon in 56 minutes and 42 seconds in 2025, and by Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey with a time of 1 hour, 2 minutes and 52 seconds in 2021 at the Valencia Half Marathon. For the record, it was Kenyan Moses Tanui who was the first to break the mythical one-hour barrier for the half marathon. Indeed, there are two types of half-marathoners in the world: those who finish in under an hour and those who strive to complete it! 😆

Don't worry: we're not here to demotivate you! In fact, running a half is often a highly enjoyable experience, especially because it allows you to immerse yourself in new landscapes in unique and moving circumstances 🥰. Yes, each kilometer is a personal victory, but also a new discovery. The "half-marathon," as it is also called, is usually held in cities, and even in big cities or capitals 🌆. As with marathons, the terrain for half marathons is often flat and paved, with a few exceptions. This distinction is important because otherwise, it is more of a trail. But it's also worth noting that this distance is not only organized in megacities, as medium-sized towns and villages also host their own editions. These events have the advantage of being much less crowded, making the racing experience extremely enjoyable 👍. We are far from the Broloppet (the "bridge race" in Danish), which gathered nearly 80,000 runners in 2000! 🤯 A record that has never been equaled since.

The concept of this race, which is also called Bridge Run, allows participants to cross the border between Denmark and Sweden. It is not the only cross-border race in the world; for example, the Istanbul Half Marathon, which crosses the Bosphorus and connects Europe and Asia. These and many other races offer themes and concepts designed to meet participants' expectations, showcase a certain historical and cultural heritage and promote certain values ⭐️. That's why you can participate in charity events, planet-friendly events, or those open to para-athletes. For those with a taste for festivities and celebrations, you can also join gastronomic or costume events, while travel lovers can select specific geographical criteria: by the sea, on a volcano, in castles, stadiums, parks, capitals, or at altitude... 

As you can see, there are as many types of half marathons as there are runner demands! 😉 However, while you are sure to find one that suits you, none compare to the SuperHalfs 🏆. The Lisbon Half Marathon, the Prague Half Marathon, the Copenhagen Half Marathon, the Cardiff Half Marathon, the Valencia Half Marathon, and the Berlin Half Marathon are the 6 foot races that make up the SuperHalf series. All are renowned sporting events for their level, speed ⚡️, atmosphere, prestige, and beauty. Together, they form a challenging yet magnificent tribute to the distance and discipline. Those who manage to reach the overall podium leave with a substantial reward 🤑. Additionally, professionals can participate in the championship organized since 1992 by the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships. It brings together nearly 300 participants from over 80 different nations each year. There is a clear domination by African record holders, notably from Kenya (Joyciline Jepkosgei, Kibiwott Kandie, Geoffrey Kamworor, to name a few). Impressive athletic feats are achieved there. So, what are you waiting for to start training? 😏 Maybe you'll be the next to win it all!

Moreover, France is not lacking in champions. The men's record is held by Julien Wanders (dual French-Swiss nationality 🇫🇷🇨🇭) who finished the Ras El Knaïmah Half Marathon in 59 minutes and 13 seconds (2019) 😯. Jimmy Gressier, another French athlete, might soon attempt to break this record. He notably finished 5th in the World Half Marathon Championships in 59 minutes and 46 seconds in 2023, even though it was only his second half-marathon. On the women's side, Mekdes Woldu won the title in 2022 at the Malaga Half Marathon by reaching the finish line in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 27 seconds. This record had been held for 10 years by Christelle Daunay with 1 hour, 8 minutes and 34 seconds (2010 at the Reims Half Marathon) 🥇. And since we're talking about records, we couldn't omit Harriette Thompson, who, at 94 years old, became the oldest person to finish a half marathon 👵 at the Rock’n’Roll Half-Marathon in New York! 🗽 To mention other famous half-marathoners: Portuguese António Pinto, Swedish Andreas Almgren, British Mo Farah, Dutch Sifan Hassan, South African Elena Meyer, German Irina Mikitenko, British Paula Radcliffe and Eilish McColgan, and Norwegian Ingrid Kristiansen.

Wondering how to start? Luckily, France 🇫🇷 offers many running competitions, spread across the territory. Therefore, you are spoiled for choice: you can explore the famous Promenade des Anglais thanks to the International Nice Half Marathon 😎, marvel at the magnificent monuments of the capital with the Paris Half Marathon 🗼, get a spectacular view of the Île de Ré by participating in the La Rochelle Half Marathon, run through the historic districts of the capital of the Gauls during the Lyon Half, as part of the Run In Lyon, or enjoy the fresh air of the mountains ⛰️ by signing up for the Lake Annecy Source Half Marathon… Want more ❓ How about enjoying the southern sun with the Montpellier Half held during the Montpellier Run Festival or testing your resistance at the Mont Ventoux Half Marathon 📈, beating your personal record at the International Lille Half Marathon, traveling to Spain with the Basque Country Half Marathon 🇪🇸, admiring the green lighthouse of the Vendée Globe while tackling the Les Sables d'Olonne Half Marathon, delving into Roman history with the Nîmes Half Marathon, becoming a Duke at the Boulogne-Billancourt Half Marathon 👆, discovering Gironde with the Bordeaux Half Marathon 😍. Let's not nitpick, 20 km races are just as honorable as a half. In France, we have the 20 km of Paris at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and the iconic Marseille-Cassis ☀️.

Yes, we're proud of our beautiful races, we admit it... Moreover, France has the advantage of sharing its borders with several countries that also offer quality 21 km races. Among the half marathons in Italy 🇮🇹, there are numerous top-tier races. So you can easily enjoy the famous dolce vita and local cuisine during your visits to the Rome Half Marathon (Roma-Ostia), the famous Milan Half Marathon (or Stramilano for insiders), the Florence Half Marathon, the Naples Half Marathon, and the Palermo Half Marathon. If you're more into tapas and fiesta, don't hesitate to visit the Iberian Peninsula 😁. Half marathons in Spain 🇪🇸 and half marathons in Portugal 🇵🇹 are just as renowned, like the Porto Half Marathon, the Malaga Half Marathon, the Seville Half Marathon, the Barcelona Half Marathon, and the Ibiza Half Marathon or the Madrid Half Marathon. However, don't think that you have to be in the South to access prestigious races. Let's not forget our German neighbors, who particularly favor the Stuttgart Half Marathon and the Hamburg Half Marathon as part of the Hamburg Marathon, while the Swiss will likely run by the water at the Lugano Half Marathon (Stralugano). Finally, connoisseurs will know that the Dour Half Marathon is a must-see among half marathons in Belgium 🇧🇪. Alongside the Brussels Half Marathon as part of the marathon, as well as the Bruges Marathon which offers the Bruges Half Marathon.

Of course, runners who like to make their sport a tourism experience will not hesitate to explore borders to join the brightest competitions internationally 🌎. Among them, there is the Amsterdam Half Marathon and the Bijlmer Run in the Netherlands. In Scandinavia, there are the Helsinki Half Marathon, the Stockholm Half Marathon, and the Copenhagen Half Marathon. In England, the London Half Marathon, the Liverpool Half Marathon, and the Manchester Half Marathon stand out 🎁. Not to mention other exceptional European marathons such as the Glasgow Half Marathon, the Budapest Half Marathon, the Krakow Half Marathon, the Istanbul Half Marathon…

This way, you can both run and exert yourself while enjoying the experience and immersing yourself in a new culture. That's also what running is about! Meanwhile, it's essential to prepare well to enjoy the moment to the fullest. Even though the distance is shorter compared to a marathon and less demanding in terms of muscle effort, running a half should not be taken lightly! So, why not sharpen your skills on a 10 km? 🏃‍♂️