Half marathon races 21 kilometres, exactly half the distance of a full 26.2 miles. The average finishing time for a half in the UK is around 2:00 hours with more seasoned runners often pushing for 1 hour 30 minutes or less. This makes half marathons the perfect choice for runners looking to step up to a new challenge from 10k races and an important milestone for those on their way to running a full marathon. If you're looking for some inspiration goal setting, find out what a good half marathon time is in our guide.

While it is physically possible to run a half marathon without training, we really wouldn’t recommend it. From both an enjoyment and health perspective, training correctly before embarking on a half marathon is going to lead you to have a much better experience.

Running a half marathon requires a significant level of endurance, stamina, and physical fitness. Without proper training, you are more likely to experience discomfort, fatigue, and the risk of injuring yourself is much higher. Training allows your body to adapt, get stronger and build stamina - everything you’ll need to enjoy the challenge of a half marathon race. Diet is also important, for more info take a look at our guide on what to eat before a half marathon.

Looking for a half marathon you can take part in from anywhere - even indoors? Our virtual runs offer a range of distances and ways to challenge yourself whilst still running solo.

Fancy an active trip away? Check out our Running Holidays page which lists international running trips and breaks.

A half marathon is equivalent to 21.0975 kilometres (or approximately 13.1 miles). It is exactly half the distance of a full marathon, which is 42.195 kilometres or 26.2 miles.

If you can successfully run a 10K (which is approximately 6.2 miles), you can definitely work your way up to running a half marathon. It is roughly twice the distance, so naturally, you’ll need to enhance the stamina and endurance you’ll have already built in running 10 kilometres. Following a structured training plan that allows for rest and increasing distance incrementally is the safest way to build up to the full 13.1 miles.

There are two main types of Half Marathon events to participate in: Road Races and Trail Runs.

Road Half Marathons are the most traditional and popular type of half marathon. It takes place on paved roads or streets, typically in city or suburban areas with well-planned routes and water stations. Choose from a range of mass-participation Half Marathon events in London, Manchester, Birmingham and many more big cities and towns across the UK. These types of races also often have fantastic routes that pass iconic landmarks and tend to have buzzing crowds cheering runners on.

Trail Half Marathons are held on off-road trails in woodland settings or on hiking trails. They deliver a more scenic and natural experience but tend to be much more demanding due to the variety of terrain and uneven surfaces.