Remember when holidays meant lying on beaches doing absolutely nothing?
Welcome to runcations, the travelling trend putting traditional holidays to shame.
Combining a love of travel with a fitness goal, the desire to run 13.1 miles and be rewarded with a break abroad has never been stronger for Irish and British holidaymakers.
So, in 2025, runcations are well and truly on the rise.
And what's not to love? Training for a half-marathon is a chance to challenge yourself beyond 10k while stopping short of the mammoth exertion of a full marathon.
This middle-ground seems to be the sweet spot for many travellers in 2025.
Adobe Free Stock / Cultura Creative
And it's fully achievable for mere mortals with a little willpower while still delivering that satisfying "I can't believe I just did that" feeling.
Plus, let's be honest, if you're going to put in all that time and effort, you might as well do it against a spectacular backdrop.
Not to mention with way better food, cocktails and weather than at home.
The Most Beautiful Half Marathons in the World
From lush tropical paths to alpine trails and bustling cityscapes, I've gathered 16 of the world's most beautiful half marathons.
These suggestions have come straight from the running community. From people who've pounded these pavements, conquered these climbs and lived to tell the tale.
And it was all in the name of IRL research ahead of my own fourth runcation this October.
So lace up your trainers and let's hit the ground running - on your marks, get set, go....
North America
1.) Monterey Bay Half Marathon - California, USA
Adobe Free Stock / Felipe Sanchez
When: 9th November 2025.
Where: Monterey, California, USA.
Website: www.montereybayhalfmarathon.org
When it comes to spectacular scenery, not much can beat running along the Pacific Ocean coastline.
The Monterey Bay Half Marathon treats runners to gorgeous views of Monterey's seafront and crashing waves along the shoreline.
Considered to be America's prettiest half-marathon, the course is mostly flat, making it ideal for all abilities.
It's an idyllic autumn run that many runners cite as a favourite for its coastal beauty and upbeat atmosphere.
2.) Kauai Half Marathon - Hawaii, USA
Adobe Free Stock / Jeff Whyte
When: 31st August 2025
Where: Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Website: www.thekauaimarathon.com
For a tropical paradise setting, the Kauai Half Marathon delivers big time.
The course is lined with palm trees and offers stunning views of Kauai's beaches, volcanic peaks and lush rainforests.
You'll run through the famous Tree Tunnel of eucalyptus and be greeted by hula dancers and drummers along the way.
Adobe Free Stock / Ben
This race takes place in late August on the Garden Isle of Hawaii.
Runners consistently praise the white sand beaches, turquoise ocean vistas, waterfalls and festive atmosphere.
3.) Banff Half Marathon - Alberta, Canada
When: 14th June, 2026
Where: Banff National Park, Alberta
Website: www.banffhalf.com
If mountain panoramas are your thing (I mean, who would say no?), head to Banff National Park in Canada for this spectacular summer half.
Each June, the Banff Half Marathon lets you race across a UNESCO World Heritage Site amid the peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
The organisers mercifully keep the route to rolling hills rather than extreme climb.
So you can enjoy the towering mountains and glacial lakes without too much thigh-burn.
The air is crisp and the roads wind through evergreen valleys, often with wildlife sightings.
South America
4.) Patagonian International Half Marathon - Torres del Paine, Chile
Adobe Free Stock / schame87
When: 6th September, 2025.
Where: Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.
Website: http://www.patagonianinternationalmarathon.com/en
South America's standout entry is the half marathon through Chilean Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park.
This race is an adventure in every sense. It's held in remote southern Chile each September and exposes runners to one of the most pristine, jaw-dropping landscapes on Earth.
Following gravel roads, the route takes runners past turquoise lakes and the granite spires of the Paine mountains.
You may even catch some local wildlife, such as wild llamas grazing in the distance.
The Patagonian International Marathon event offers a 10K, a 21K and a 42k option for hardcore runners.
5.) Rio de Janeiro Half Marathon - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Adobe Free Stock / Gustavo
When: (TBC) June, 2026.
Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Website: maratonadorio.com.br
For those who prefer an urban South American experience, Rio's annual half marathon lets you race through one of the world's most scenic cities.
The course typically follows the coastline from São Conrado to Flamengo.
Which means you get to run past famous beaches like Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana. All while the emerald peaks of Tijuca Forest sit in the background.
Runners finish with views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue in the distance.
Unsurprisingly, it's widely agreed that the Rio de Janeiro Half Marathon is one of the most beautiful races in the world.
Europe
6.) Great North Run - England, UK
Wikimedia Commons / Gareth James
When: 7th September, 2025.
Where: Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields, England.
Website: www.greatrun.org
Europe's largest half marathon is also among its most scenic.
The famous Great North Run from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields in England's North-East, combines city sights with a beautiful coastal finish.
You'll start in the city with tens of thousands of fellow runners. Then you cross the iconic Tyne Bridge before winding through towns full of cheering onlookers.
The climax comes in the final miles as you crest a hill and are treated to sweeping views of the North Sea at South Shields.
One of the things that sets the Great North Run apart from other European half marathons is its sense of community.
Over 60,000 runners experience its electric atmosphere each year.
7.) Royal Parks Half Marathon (London, UK)
Adobe Free Stock / Aerial Film Studio
When: 12th October, 2025.
Where: Central London, England
Website: www.royalparkshalf.com
London's Royal Parks Half is a classic autumn half-marathon that showcases the beauty of one of the world's great cities.
The October race route is a loop through four of central London's royal parks.
They are Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James's Park and Kensington Gardens, all of wich you'll get to see up-close during peak autumn foliage.
Runners pass by Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and other famous landmarks.
But many say the highlights are the tree-lined paths and golden leaves carpeting the ground.
With over 16,000 runners, the Royal Parks Half is known for its unique atmosphere and impossibly pretty scenery.
8.) Gower Coastal Trail Half Marathon - Gower Peninsula, Wales, UK
Adobe Free Stock / www.januszkurek.com
When: 8th November, 2025.
Where: Gower Peninsula, Wales
Website: www.endurancelife.com/gower
For a more rugged European adventure, the EnduranceLife Gower Half Marathon in Wales is a trail runner's dream.
Gower was Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and this race takes runners right through its most scenic parts.
Set against dramatic coastal clifftops, sandy beaches, dune trails and woodlands along the Welsh coast, it's a rewarding race, to say the least.
Expect some mud, punishing hills and an ascent of 1,916 feet.
But reward comes in the form of panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, white sand bays and maybe even a few wild ponies grazing on the moors.
Africa
Adobe Free Stock / Sunshine Seeds
9.) Two Oceans Half Marathon - Cape Town, South Africa
When: April 2026 (Exact date TBC).
Where: Cape Town, South Africa.
Website: www.twooceansmarathon.org.za
South Africa's Two Oceans Half Marathon has earned its reputation as a scenic showstopper.
Taking place each Easter weekend in Cape Town, it packs in breathtaking views of both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Runners start at 6:15am in Newlands and are greeted by sunrise over False Bay as the course skirts the peninsula's coastline.
The route winds through Claremont, Wynberg, Constantia, Southern Cross Drive and Newlands, before finishing up in Rondebosch.
10.) Kilimanjaro Half Marathon - Moshi, Tanzania
Adobe Free Stock / Aerial Film Studio
When: 22nd March, 2026.
Where: Moshi, Tanzania.
Website: www.kilimanjaromarathon.com
Fancy throwing a world-famous iconic peak into your half-marathon? The Kilimanjaro Half allows you to do just that.
Starting in the town of Moshi, the route sends runners on a gradual climb towards Mount Kilimanjaro's base.
It's a challenging course, but worth it for the sweeping views of the mountain and surrounding savannah.
Crowds of locals gather to cheer, providing friendly and much-needed motivation on the ascent.
If you want to feel like you've completed a mountain climb, a pilgrimage and a half-marathon all at once, this is the race for you.
11.) Big Five Safari Half Marathon - Limpopo, South Africa
Adobe Free Stock / Roger de la Harpe
When: 13th June, 2026
Where: Limpopo Province, South Africa
Website: www.big-five-marathon.com
This June trail half marathon is held in safari territory in South Africa's Limpopo province.
Which means it cuts through the habitat of lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards.
Runners traverse dirt roads and sand tracks with savannah vistas and are maybe even treated to a giraffe or zebra sighting along the way.
Many participants make a full safari holiday out of it, staying in the reserve's lodges and doing game drives.
If you fancy the idea of hearing bird calls and distant roars as you race, this half marathon is a bucket-list contender.
Asia
12.) Great Wall Half Marathon - Tianjin, China
Adobe Free Stock / André Franke
When: 16th May, 2026.
Where: Tianjin, China.
Website: www.great-wall-marathon.com
China's Great Wall Half lets you run on and alongside one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
This race is not for the faint-hearted, though. It includes over 5,000 stone steps up and down the Great Wall's ridges.
But between those lung-busting climbs, runners are rewarded with incredible views of green hills and ancient fortress towers stretching to the horizon.
The event takes place each May at the Huangyaguan section of the wall. The Great Wall Half is one of the world's most challenging but breathtaking half marathons.
13.) Angkor Wat International Half Marathon - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Adobe Free Stock / Songsak C
When: 17th December, 2025.
Where: Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Website: www.cambodia-events.org/angkor-half-marathon
Held each December in Cambodia, the Angkor Wat Half Marathon leads runners on a mostly flat loop through the sprawling Angkor Archaeological Park.
Runners start at dawn in front of Angkor Wat's silhouette, then wind on shaded roads past ornate stone temples.
With spots like the stone gate of Angkor Thom and the tree-strangled temple of Ta Prohm whizzing past, the biggest challenge will be not to stop every five minutes to take in the sights.
The atmosphere is peaceful and inspiring and the combination of ancient architecture and lush tropical scenery is unforgettable.
14.) Everest Marathon Half - Nepal
Adobe Free Stock / olyphotostories
When: 29th May, 2026.
Where: Everest Base Camp to Namche Bazaar, Nepal.
Website: www.everestmarathon.com
The Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon commemorates the first-ever Everest ascent by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on 29th May 1953.
It includes a half-marathon category, making it the highest-altitude half in the world.
Starting near Everest Base Camp and finishing at Namche Bazaar, this trail half marathon takes place on 29th May every year.
Runners trek up to the start days in advance to acclimatise. The course is almost entirely downhill, but offers mind-blowing views of Himalayan giants like Ama Dablam and Everest itself.
The Everest Half is far from a typical runcation; it's more like a full-blown expedition with a finish line.
Oceania
15.) Queenstown Half Marathon - New Zealand
Adobe Free Stock / naughtynut
When: 15th November, 2025.
Where: Queenstown, New Zealand.
Website: www.queenstown-marathon.co.nz
The Queenstown Half Marathon is a point-to-point course starting near Arrowtown and finishing in Queenstown.
It takes runners along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and past rolling vineyards and farmland.
Held in mid-November, the race often coincides with the kind of cool weather that's perfect for running.
The terrain is a mix of paved roads and hard-packed trails, mostly flat or gently downhill.
Wind past snow-tipped mountains and crystal-clear lake waters, runners are treated to non-stop epic scenery.
As if a trip to New Zealand isn't memorable enough, you can only imagine how incredible an experience this half would be.
16.) Sydney Running Festival Half Marathon - Australia
Adobe Free Stock / Peter Kolejak
When: 31st August, 2025.
Where: Sydney, Australia.
Website: www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au
Part of the annual Sydney Running Festival in September, this half marathon's showpiece is the chance to run over the Sydney Harbour Bridge with no cars around.
As runners crest the bridge, they may be treated to sights such as the Opera House glinting in the Australian sun. Talk about a bucket-list urban view.
The course weaves through downtown Sydney and around the Royal Botanic Garden, finishing at the Opera House steps.
Along the way, participants are treated to cheering crowds, music and an electric run-day atmosphere.
With winter temperatures at a perfect running range of between 10° and 19°, this race is a box-ticker on every level.
Ones to Watch: Up-and-Coming and Underrated Half Marathons
- Mt. Rwenzori Half Marathon, Uganda - August 23rd, 2025. Launched in 2022 to promote tourism to Uganda's Rwenzori Mountains, this August race boasts views of the snow-capped peaks.
- Yakima River Canyon Half, Washington, USA - 28th March, 2026. A small-town race with a peaceful route through a stunning desert canyon.
- SwissCity Lucerne Half Marathon, Switzerland - 26th October, 2025. This scenic course runs along Lake Lucerne, serving Alpine views and medieval downtown streets.
- Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon, Egypt - 13th December, 2025. A newer event in Cairo launched in 2019, this run circles the Great Pyramids of Giza for a dramatic desert setting.
Planning Your Scenic Half Marathon Adventure
Wherever the most beautiful half marathons in the world take you, staying connected is key.
From picking up your race pack and finding the start line to posting those post-race photos, you need reliable internet access.
This is where an eSIM from Airalo becomes your best running companion.
Unlike traditional physical SIM cards that you need to physically swap, eSIMs are entirely digital.
Choose your destination and how much data you need, download your eSIM over Wi-Fi at home, then activate it when you land.
Perfect for jet-setting runners who want to stay connected without shock roaming bills adding to race day stress.
Now all you have to decide is which of these most beautiful places to run a half marathon will you choose next?
FAQs - The Most Beautiful Half Marathons in the World
1. What are the Most Beautiful Half Marathons in the World?
Some of the most beautiful half marathons in the world are Monterey Bay Half Marathon in California, the Big Five Safari Half, the Patagonian International Half Marathon, the Kauai Half Marathon and the Queenstown Half Marathon in New Zealand. These races are known for their spectacular scenery, ranging from coastal views to mountain vistas and cityscapes.
2. What is a 'Runcation'?
A 'runcation' is a holiday that combines a love of travel with the desire to run a race, such as a half marathon. It's a popular trend for runners who want to challenge themselves while exploring some of the world's most beautiful destinations.
3. How long is a Half Marathon?
A half marathon is a road running race with a distance of 13.1 miles or 21 kilometres. It's a challenging but achievable distance for many runners, offering a great sense of accomplishment.
4. Which Half Marathon is the Highest in the World?
The Everest Marathon Half in Nepal is the highest altitude half marathon in the world. The race starts near Everest Base Camp and finishes at Namche Bazaar, offering mind-blowing views of the Himalayan mountains.
5. How Can an eSIM help with a Running Holiday?
An eSIM is the ideal way to stay online during a running holiday, or 'runcation'. It allows you to download a local data plan digitally, so you can stay connected for race registrations, navigation and sharing photos without needing to physically swap out SIM cards or deal with shock roaming charges.
