5 Must-Have Spring Half Marathons
Warmer weather is on its way, and if you’re not training for a marathon (or even if you are), now is the time to think about signing up for a spring half marathon in March, April, or May!
The half marathon, like other distances, can often be overshadowed by it’s double-distance counterpart, but make no mistake, 13.1 miles is no half accomplishment! Half marathon training can be tough; you still need to run plenty of miles, and attend the Church of the Sunday Long Run. And while the half is still a hefty distance to cover, it’s a little easier to kick in the last few miles and if you’re lucky, you’ll never hit the dreaded wall. I love a good half mid-marathon training to test my fitness, and love them even more when they can be my sole focus.
Must-Have Spring Half Marathons
If a half marathon is in your future, consider the following Minnesota races:
Get Lucky Half Marathon, March 11
A popular St. Patrick’s Day themed race, the Get Lucky Half Marathon starts in the Lowertown neighborhood of St. Paul at C.H.S. Field, then hugs the East side of the Mississippi River for a solid 10+ miles. March is an excellent time to check your fitness with a half distance, and the beer at the finish will make this early spring race all the sweeter.
SCHEELS Mankato Spring Half Marathon, April 8
Brand new for 2017 is the SCHEELS Mankato Spring Half Marathon put on by the good folks over at Final Stretch. This beautiful course takes you through the Singing Hills Trails and features no big climbs – that’s right, this race is flat! Plus, all registrants are eligible to earn $5 back with the Final Stretch referral code program. This event is limited to 2,000 participants, so act fast!
Get in Gear Half Marathon, April 29
Minnesota’s largest 10K race also features a half marathon! The 40th annual rite of spring, the Get in Gear, is the perfect way to jump start your season of racing. Half marathoners will love the scenic Mississippi River course, and are sure to hit their PRs with the Twin Cities Pacers pace team. The Get in Gear is one of Minnesota’s oldest and most well-organized running events; don’t miss it!
Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon, May 7
Want to hit the streets South of the Twin Cities Metro area? The classic Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon has you covered. Lake Minnetonka features a beautiful course with rolling hills, starting in downtown Wayzata and ending at Commons Park in Excelsior. There’s even a two-person relay option for speedy pairs. Participants receive a medal and t-shirt at the finish, plus a free shuttle ride back to the start.
Med City Half Marathon, May 28
Take part in the Med City Marathon day excitement without running the full 26.2! The Med City Half Marathon follows the same course as the marathon for 12 miles before splitting off to the finish. Participants receive the usual medal, t-shirt, and banana, plus the amenities of a full marathon such as a race expo, race day bag drop, and a spectator-filled course. Oh, and did we mention the free beer at the finish? The Med City Half is a fantastic event with fun for the whole family!
Whether you’re racing in Minneapolis, Mankato, or Med City, we think there’s a fun and challenging half marathon for you.
