Runners love a challenge and oh boy do we love a series of challenges!
The World Marathon Majors have become huge both because of media attention and because of the opportunity to earn a bonus medal.
But what if you don’t want to run 26.2? Or you’re looking to not deal with the lotteries…enter the World’s SuperHalfs Series!
We love that this series is getting a lot of attention, but that may indeed mean these races start becoming harder and harder to get in to, sorry!!
What are the SuperHalfs?
The SuperHalfs are a series of six half-marathons across Europe. They all take place in the spring and the fall of the same year, and are run in:
- Lisbon
- Prague
- Berlin
- Copenhagen
- Cardiff
- Valencia
Each race is beautifully scenic and if you complete all six in a five-year span, you’ll collect a SuperMedal – a huge accomplishment!
Each race is considered, on its own, to be among the best of the best when it comes to half-marathons in Europe.
How do you enter?
Runners sign up for a SuperPassport via the SuperHalfs website, then present that number when they sign up for each race.
They can be run in any order, and at any pace, as long as they are all completed within five years.
If you’ve already run one or more, you can add them to a new SuperPass if you decide you’d like to give it a go.
Here are some details about each race individually, so you can choose where you’d most like to start!
Lisbon Half Marathon (March 9th, 2025)
Over 35,000 runners from all over the world register for this half marathon, which begins on the 25 de April Bridge and runs parallel to the water for the majority of the race.
This is the most popular half-marathon in Portugal and attracts runners of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans.
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Profile: Paved, Fast and Flat
Course Type: Point-to-Point
“Pros: Fast course. Cool start at the suspension bridge. Generally well organized. Upbeat atmosphere. Well priced. Great opportunity to visit a fantastic city. Cons: No corrals or wave starts. Parts of the course a bit monotonous, especially with out-and-backs. Latish start potentially makes for warmer temperatures. Not the simplest race morning logistics. Not a lot of crowd support. Sum-up: Pros outweigh the cons.” – flyrundotfun (RaceRaves)
Fun Fact: Runner Jacob Kiplimo set the world record time for a half marathon on this course in 2021.
Prague Half Marathon (April 5th, 2025)
If you’ve never seen Prague (or never seen enough of Prague, this race is like being able to sightsee on the go.
The route passes alongside the Vltava River and over the Charles Bridge, which gives stunning views of Prague Castle and the National Theatre.
In keeping with the event’s motto, “All Runners Are Beautiful,” runners include some of the world’s fastest distance runners as well as local schoolchildren.
The marathon was started to inspire the local people to get active and embrace a healthier lifestyle, and over 25 years has become one of the most popular half-marathons in Europe.
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Profile: Paved, Fast and Flat
Course Type: Loop
“Prague Half is one of the 6 Super Halfs. With around 12.000 runners it‘s the smallest of the 6 races. The expo is ok. Normally the shirts of races organised by Czech Run are beautiful, this time unfortunately the shirt was not beautiful at all. The new course of the race leads across the bridges of Prague several times and also across Wenzel Square. The course is a bit challenging as many streets are paved with cobblestone!” -Yanos Nanashi (RaceRaves)
Fun Fact: It’s smaller than the Lisbon half, with room for only 15,000 runners on the course.
Berlin Half Marathon (April 6th, 2025)
This SuperHalf shares a finish line with the Berlin Marathon, at the iconic Brandenburg Gate. The race is well organized with fun crowds and a fun route, so there’s nothing not to like!
With more than 40,000 runners, it’s one of the largest half-marathons in the world, and the celebratory atmosphere is really something to behold.
Location: Berlin, Germany
Profile: Paved, Fast and Flat
Course Type: Loop
“PROS: Fantastic course — flat and takes you along prime, iconic parts of Berlin, including through the Brandenburg Gate; great crowd support; cool expo. CONS: Berlin weather can be unpredictable at that time of year, although it worked out in 2023; old-fashioned chip system. SUM-UP: Brilliant race. ” – flyrundotfun (RaceRaves)
Fun Fact: If you want to challenge yourself, run the Prague-Berlin double, which requires you to hop on a train in Prague to run in Berlin the very next day.
Copenhagen Half Marathon (September 14th, 2025)
This is one of the most popular SuperHalfs – and indeed, one of the most popular half marathons in Europe, so you’ll have to be speedy if you want to register.
The course traces the streets of Denmark’s capital, and 25,000 runners love taking in the sights, the music, and the entertainment along the course as they go.
Runners say this isn’t just a race, but a giant running party, as the spectators truly make the experience magical. The route is packed with power zones, music, entertainment, and thousands of people cheering at the tops of their lungs.
They only add to the charm of Copenhagen’s bridge districts and historic inner city.
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Profile: Varied Surface, Fast and Generally Flat
Course: Loop
“The only Scandinavian IAAF gold label race always competes over the title of worlds fastest halfmarathon with other prestigious races like Barcelona, Berlin or Dubai. So the elite field has all the big names and the race production is smooth as you expect it when organising a field of 22.000 runners. Unfortunately the weather gods were not with us in 2017. Starting out in the sun and almost perfect temperature it started to rain and hail so badly that the timing Mats were washed away in the finish area and timing had be done with a back up system before the organisers had to discontinue the race after about 2:10h. The course is flat and Copenhagenians were cheering and pushing. One runs a big loop through the city and I really enjoyed running the race which happened to be my 100th half. I ll probably give it a try next year again and will focus on running a fast time instead of just enjoying the race. We got a shirt and medal.” – JoJoRunner (RaceRaves)
Fun Fact: It’s a fast course. Two of the top ten men’s times are recorded at this race.
Cardiff Half Marathon (October 5th, 2025)
The mix of city and sea make this one unique and memorable, and whether you’re into history or sports, there’s something for everyone to gawp at along the course.
The race begins at Cardiff Castle before showing off Cardiff City Stadium and Penarth, where you’ll see the Marina and Cardiff Bay, then make your way past the Norwegian Church and Walves Millenium Centre.
Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Profile: Paved, Fast, Mostly Flat
Course Type: Loop
“Traveled on vacation to visit family in Wales. Found about this Cardiff Marathon happening about the same time as our visit, had to do it while in the area! Cardiff is a large populated area (Capital of Wales) so race was pretty large, about 20K runners. Well run event. Weather was moderate. Lots of different things to view in a foreign country, including castles, along the course. No complaints about anything. Finishing medal was just average. Overall a great experience.” -mjenn66 (RaceRaves)
Fun Fact: With over 27,500 runners, the Cardiff Half is one of the largest of the SuperHalfs.
Valencia Half Marathon (October 26th, 2025)
This SuperHalf passes a ton of notable city landmarks on a fast course through the city. Runners can admire the harbor as well as the historic old town, and can end their year on a high note.
For six years runner, this has been the fastest half-marathon in Spain, with the top time getting shorter each year.
It’s consistently ranked the best half-marathon in Spain as well, and around 14,000 people give it a go annually.
Location: Valencia, Spain
Profile: Paved, Fast and Flat
Course Type: Point-to-Point
” I participated in the Half Marathon World Championships in Valencia in 2018 and for the championships they had changed the course so that runners finished at the super iconic City of Sciences where also the finish of the full marathon is. The course of the half ordinary half marathon is a bit disappointing compared to the one I ran in 2018. The start and finish is in the middle of nowhere. The area for the start was very crowded and not very attractive. The course is very flat which is good to run PBs. The weather also was perfect. The atmosphere during the race was good at some spots. All in all I had so much higher expectations of the race. In my opinion they should us the same course as they did for the World Championships in 2018.” – Yanis Nanashi (RaceRaves)
Fun Fact: This super fast course is home to more than half of the fastest men’s half marathon times – including the current world record.
There’s really no way to miss with any of these SuperHalfs, and there is always the added bonus of getting to see some of the most beautiful and historic cities in Europe while you do it.
And since you only have to train for and run half the distance of a full marathon, you’ll have extra time to really enjoy yourself, too!
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