Even though it is still winter time I hope you have already begun to set some goal running events for 2016. No matter where you live you most likely can find a 5k to take part in almost every weekend of the year. I want you to plan ahead to make sure you are as prepared as possible so I am going to highlight some amazing 5k’s and half marathons around the United States that you can add to your running calendar.
If you have not set your running goals for 2016 yet, then now is the time to do that. Need some ideas? Then make sure to check out my recent post ’16 Running Goals You Should Make For 2016’.
You might be new to running and still looking to do your first 5k race, or maybe you are looking to push yourself and make the leap to a half marathon. With that in mind, I wanted to share with you some running events that had both a 5k and half marathon option. In some cases a 10k race is an option if by chance you are not yet ready to take on 13.1 miles.
There is an important reason I wanted to give you running event ideas that carried both half marathon and 5k distances. Since my goal is for you to become a lifelong runner you need to set goals and keep pushing your body and mind. You can do this by running 5k’s many times over as long as you set progressive goals along the way. What many runners do though, is that after testing the waters with some 5k races they get the desire to move up and become a half marathon finisher.
When you enter a 5k run that either is hosted the day prior or day of a half marathon you can feed off of that energy of runners with varying abilities. In most cases these races follow the same format from year to year which means you can take part in the 5k this year…determine if you like the way the event is put on…then make the half marathon (13.1 miles) your goal for the following year.
Also, as I mentioned in my ‘running goals’ post, choosing a destination race can be a great addition to your running season. Obviously you should plan ahead and take into account the added costs, but they can be great ways to keep you motivated throughout the year. No matter your priorities, enter these running races with a goal and purpose in mind, but most importantly…HAVE FUN!
Below are 11 half marathon and 5k’s in various locales for the month of April 2016, so find one or two that suit you and get signed up!
Saturday April 2, 2016
Harbour Heights Half Marathon & 5k
Harbour Heights, FL
Nestled in between Sarasota and Ft. Meyers, FL, where better to go to get away from the chilly northern United States temps in early April. 2016 represents the 10th Anniversary of the 5k run while the half marathon is just in its second year. This event raises money for equipment and supplies for autistic children in the Charlotte County schools. LEARN MORE
Peace-Love-Run Half Marathon & 5k
San Diego, CA
For all the baby-boomer runners out there you might want to plan a trip to sunny San Diego, CA in early April for this one. Having lived in San Diego briefly while I was in the U.S. Navy, I can attest to the perfect weather and ideal scenery this area has to offer. Not to mention a running event that wants you to “get your groove on” while you’re there…so this one seems like a no brainer! LEARN MORE
Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon & 5k
Savannah, GA
Sorry guys, this half marathon and 5k is for the ladies only. I know a barrier for some ‘would be’ runners is not feeling comfortable at a running event. This women’s only race in historic Savannah, GA is a great way to get your spring started. Both runs take place on Saturday April 2 and you can recover the next day at the ‘New Balance Yoga on the Square’. LEARN MORE
Saturday April 9, 2016
Hollywood Half Marathon & 5k
Hollywood, CA
With a tagline like ‘Run With The Stars’, why wouldn’t you want to take part in the Hollywood Half Marathon & 5k (they have a 10k option as well). Heck they even encourage to do the event dressed as your favorite star and get your post race photo on the red carpet. Get plenty of rest leading up to it because both runs kick off at 6 a.m. LEARN MORE
Martian Invasion of the Races
Dearborn, MI
Even if you are not into sci-fi, the Dearborn, MI Martian Invasion of the Races Half Marathon & 5k might convince you there are other life forms out there. Looking at some of the past event photos it seems they did beam down some aliens to take part in the races. The best part…They even have a kid’s marathon that promotes running leading up to event day where the kids run will run the final 1.2 miles in front of thousands of spectators…I mean Earthlings! LEARN MORE
GO! St. Louis Half Marathon & 5k
St. Louis, MO
The GO! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend is just that…a weekend full of running events and fitness activities for the whole family. I actually took part in the half marathon way when it was known as the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon. It has come a long way since then and draws a large crowd year in and year out. The 5k takes place on Saturday April 9 with the half marathon running on Sunday April 9th. LEARN MORE
Sunday April 10, 2016
Iron Girl Clearwater Half Marathon & 5k
Clearwater, FL
The Iron Girl Series kicks off in Clearwater, FL along the Gulf Coast. As Iron Girl puts it, this event “aspires to bring women of all ages together as a community by offering a supportive, energetic and empowering environment for females pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle. Now that is what running is all about! LEARN MORE
Saturday April 16, 2016
Texas Wine Series Half Marathon & 5k
Tyler, TX
If you like wine like I do, then you might want to enter all five of the Texas Wine Series events in 2016 which start in March and end in October. They all have 5k and 10k options along with the half marathon distance. If you live in Shreveport, LA or Dallas, TX you should plan a weekend of wine and running in Tyler, TX. Even your non-running friends (if you have those type of friends) can come along and pay to indulge in the wine and food at the Kiepersol Wine Farm. LEARN MORE
Sunday April 17, 2016
NYCRUNS Queens Half Marathon & 5k
Queens, NY
NYCRuns puts on many running events throughout. The Queens Half Marathon & 5k take place at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park the day before the Boston Marathon. Maybe this event will motivate you to keep pushing yourself to one day qualify for the Boston Marathon. Until then, enjoy a nice mid-April event put on by a quality organization. LEARN MORE
Sunday April 24, 2016
Pro Football Hall of Fame Half Marathon & 5k
Canton, OH
Super Bowl 50 takes place tomorrow and the new Pro Football Half of Fame class gets announced today, so I would be remiss in not including the Pro Football Hall of Fame Half Marathon & 5k in this list. The 5k run is the day prior to the half marathon so you could stick around and cheer on other runners or make a visit to the Hall of Fame to see your favorite players that have been enshrined. LEARN MORE
Saturday April 30, 2016
Get in Gear Half Marathon & 5k
Minneapolis, MN
Well the whole moral of this list is for you to ‘get in gear’ for the 2016 running season. So to wrap up this list of April 2016 half marathon and 5k running events I present you ‘Minnesota’s Annual Rite of Spring’ the Get in Gear 10k/5k/2k/Half Marathon. The 10k distance of this event began back in 1978, with the 5k being added in 2005, and half marathon in 2009. You can even start your own team and help raise funds for Second Harvest Heartland, the main beneficiary of this long standing running event. LEARN MORE
There you have it…11 great examples of half marathons and 5k around the United States for the month of April 2016. Obviously the weather varies in most locales this time of year, but there is no better way to keep you motivated the next several months of winter than to sign up for one of these or any other 5k/half marathon in your area.
What running goals have you set for 2021 and what races have you signed up for so far? Let me know in the comments below!