Page 2 | Half marathon choices

Malteasersarered · 2023-09-11T09:29:16+00:00

Can anyone recommend a half marathon to me. I just started couch to 5k so I'm hoping I'll be half marathon ready by about Feb/March 2024. I'm looking for: * a spring half marathon. March would be ideal. * thousands of runners so I won't be miles behind everyone else (when I used to run my fastest time was still only 3 hours 15 so I'm a slow runner). * not too many uphills * pretty or interesting location * happy to travel from the North of England but not in the very South of the country. * preferably one where I don't need a charity place and can just get in by applying or by ballot (however, if this was a deal breaker I'd just have to try to find sponsorship). Thanks for any recommendations.

ReviewingTheSituation · 11/09/2023 17:18

Manchester is really well supported, so that's a good one. Birmingham may also be May, I think, and that's a biggie too.

6 months is plenty of time to get to half marathon distance, but if you can find a local 10k that's worth throwing in whilst you're working up to HM.

whosaidtha · 11/09/2023 19:07

Can I recommend the round Sheffield run. It's not a half marathon but is a similar distance and is in stages. There's one in Jan and one in June. It's honestly amazing. So beautiful and the best atmosphere. Stages make it easier although it is very hilly.

dorisdoesdidsbury · 11/09/2023 19:33

Hackney is usually in late April, almost completely flat and very well attended.

StillWantingADog · 11/09/2023 19:42

If you’re in or near greater Manchester I would recommend the daffodil 10k race in Stockport on 28th Jan as a warm up. It’s organised by my running group and brilliant.

Original poster

Malteasersarered · 14/09/2023 08:40

Thanks for all the recommendations

OP posts:

FatArse123 · 06/10/2023 11:10

If you fancy making a citybreak weekend of it, Lisbon half marathon is notoriously flat and fast (the run at least, not the city!), and held in March. I went there last year for it, sadly cancelled by Covid. I did part of the course, it is indeed very flat, in fact I think you lose more altitude than you gain.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 09/10/2023 15:28

FatArse123 · 06/10/2023 11:10

If you fancy making a citybreak weekend of it, Lisbon half marathon is notoriously flat and fast (the run at least, not the city!), and held in March. I went there last year for it, sadly cancelled by Covid. I did part of the course, it is indeed very flat, in fact I think you lose more altitude than you gain.

Yep! You start on the bridge which you run down and then it’s flat. The elites have to start somewhere else so it can count for a PB.
I did Lisbon, admittedly a decade ago… and found the organisation on the day a bit hectic, not least because it’s apparently one of the only times you can walk across the bridge? So a lot of locals enter just to do that and then drop out, it took me 16 minutes to do my first mile weaving in and out of people taking pictures of their family on the bridge… I’d usually be wanting to do a 7 minute mile! I’m not sure if they ironed that out but I found it incredibly frustrating, and a few people I was with found the same.

Onesunnydayiniceland · 09/10/2023 15:33

another vote for Edinburgh, mostly down hill or flat, but end of May rather than March

MerryChristmasToYou · 09/10/2023 15:37

Half Marathons Near Me | Spring 2024 Calendar | Find A Race

FatArse123 · 10/11/2023 19:41

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 09/10/2023 15:28

Yep! You start on the bridge which you run down and then it’s flat. The elites have to start somewhere else so it can count for a PB.
I did Lisbon, admittedly a decade ago… and found the organisation on the day a bit hectic, not least because it’s apparently one of the only times you can walk across the bridge? So a lot of locals enter just to do that and then drop out, it took me 16 minutes to do my first mile weaving in and out of people taking pictures of their family on the bridge… I’d usually be wanting to do a 7 minute mile! I’m not sure if they ironed that out but I found it incredibly frustrating, and a few people I was with found the same.

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Oh my god that sounds so annoying! Especially on a course known for its speed. Hopefully they've sorted that out.

Sammysquiz · 11/11/2023 07:32

Bath Half is in March next year, but may be too far south for you?

whosaidtha · 11/11/2023 11:45

I've booked monsall trail in April. Looks like a nice location and flat.

StillWantingADog · 11/11/2023 14:18

whosaidtha · 11/11/2023 11:45

I've booked monsall trail in April. Looks like a nice location and flat.

See you there. It should be nice. The only criticism I’ve heard is that there is very little support en route and it’s a there and back which some may say is a bit boring rather than a circle route

ExplodingSmittens · 14/11/2023 17:57

Liverpool Half Marathon is 17th March 2024 although I don't know if it's flat enough?

ExplodingSmittens · 14/11/2023 18:00

whosaidtha · 11/11/2023 11:45

I've booked monsall trail in April. Looks like a nice location and flat.

Such a lovely part of the world. Are you staying over?

whosaidtha · 14/11/2023 19:08

@ExplodingSmittens I only live 30mins away. But I've never done the trail before. I don't think I take enough advantage of the beautiful trails and walks near by.

kirinm · 14/11/2023 19:09

Hackney half in May. It's a nice one. Lots and lots of people and pretty flat.

Hampton is okay but in February so also cold.

ExplodingSmittens · 14/11/2023 19:23

whosaidtha · 14/11/2023 19:08

@ExplodingSmittens I only live 30mins away. But I've never done the trail before. I don't think I take enough advantage of the beautiful trails and walks near by.

I'm about an hour away, used to be closer, and I don't think I do either

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 14/11/2023 19:28

Wrong time of year and possibly too far south but I have done the Royal Parks half twice very slowly. I took more than four hours and was one of the last to finish but did it!

It is a lovely race and you get a wooden medal made from one of the trees from the parks.

savemejebus · 14/11/2023 19:47

I don't know if it's been mentioned but North Lincolnshire Half whilst not particularly pretty, ticks a lot of your boxes.
I smashed my PB there this year.

savemejebus · 14/11/2023 19:47

Sorry - forgot to say it's in March

Loopytiles · 14/11/2023 19:50

I’d probably go local 10k first.

Royal Parks has a ridiculous compulsory ‘donation’ to the parks to increase the odds of a ballot place, which is taken even if you don’t run.

leeds is v good but hilly.

Cbgds87 · 15/11/2023 05:30

If your Yorkshire based check of 'it's grm' don't let the name put you off they do have some flat routes and rate their races on difficulty.
There is a range of events most months, they aren't in the thousands but very inclusive and supportive, each event will often include 5k to ultra distances and most are lap format. They often have interesting fueling stations including cake and chocolate