11 Half Marathons That Are Perfect For Beginners

The half-length variant of the popular PDX Marathon boasts several high points for beginners: the course is "basically flat," somewhat straight with only a few turns, really organized, and will have a somewhat uncrowded finisher's village, thanks to good planning. Also, Portland typically experiences lovely weather in early October, offering clear skies and cool, comfortable temps. All of this means less stress for a beginner!

The PDX Half Marathon organizers know it's "all about the little things" and are sure to incorporate that into the race experience; for starters, you get a rose at the finish line. Pretty sweet, if you ask us. You'll also get a nice swag bag full of goodies, a tree sapling to plant (how Portland is that!), and 37 on-course music and entertainment groups.