Intro
It's been two weeks since you last saw the sun? Feel like a change of scenery for a long weekend?
We have what you need: we have selected the best half-marathons to do in Europe from January to April 2020... in the sun!
To understand roughly: Spain / Italy / Croatia / Portugal, easily accessible from France for an extended weekend.
The opportunity to discover a city while running, but above all, not to do any RP* to better enjoy the landscape and the local gastronomy.
Cheers!
Antoine and Michael
*personal record for those who know me best
January 26, 2020 : Semi of Seville (Spain)
Why?
We could epiloguer hours on Seville so much we are fan of this race ... well we confess you that we did not test them all (for lack of having made 3 times Seville), but this race is without question one of the best to make.
First of all, Seville is one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia (and even in Spain). Full of small alleys, pleasant to live in, full of small restaurants and tapas bars, affordable (to go there as well as to stay there or to go out). Then, the race takes place every year on the 3rd Monday of the year, considered as the most depressing day of the year... small report: in 3 editions, 3/3 great sun, 3/3 + 20°C.
Small + of the race: the arrival on the Place d'Espagne (new course of 2019)
Link / Registration : 35
February 16, 2020 : Semi of Barcelona (Spain)
Why?
The marathon being considered by many as one of the best in Europe, it was normal to place the half marathon in this list. Barcelona is culturally one of the richest cities in Spain: Sagrada Familia, Parc Guël, and so on and so forth... Beware, however, of the mental fracture after the Chupitos bar.
Small plus of the race: enjoy the sea spray along the side, complete the recovery with pasta with butter, at the right time
Link / Registration : 25 €.
February 16, 2020 : Semi of Verona (Italy)
Why?
We leave Spain for Italy. Not necessarily the most known city, Verona is nevertheless a charming city, with its lot of small lanes, its quays, its small hill from where it is possible to admire the city. It is also one of the few cities in Emilia Romagna that is not known by a food name (modena, bologna, parma...) ... because it is indeed the city where the story of Romeo and Juliet takes place (hence the name of the semi)
Little plus of the race: to do the duck in couple, it is perfect. However, beware of those who would be tempted to put on Strava "outing with Mrs." to justify their + of 2h on semi.
Link / Registration: 20 - 38€.
February 23, 2020: Half marathon of Split (Croatia)
Why?
The Croatian "Barcelona". A city full of history: built in Roman times around the huge palace in its center, then under Venetian domination, very lively (second most populated city in Croatia), but especially by the sea! We can't advise you enough to go there! Quite difficult to reach nevertheless (in general a stopover by Zagreb is necessary).
Small + of the race : the sea, the sea, the sea
Link / Registration: 22 - 54€.
March 8, 2020 : Semi of Rome / Ostia (Italy)
Why?
Likewise, we could go on and on about Rome, but it can be summed up in two points: an absolutely sublime city and a gastronomy to die for. We can't recommend enough that between two visits, you don't skip Trastevere, a district a little more "Roman" and less "touristy".
Small + of the race : Pasta party of anthology
Link / Registration: 33 €.
March 22, 2020: Lisbon Half Marathon (Portugal)
Why?
Simply one of the biggest half-marathon in Europe: more than 35.000 participants, one of the fastest too (top 5) but above all ... in a city that every June celebrates the sardine. Unthinkable to make this ranking without including the Lisbon half! Be careful to take on the half after visiting the city, because there is a difference in altitude!
Small plus of the race: the arrival on the bridge
Link / Registration: 50€.
March 22, 2020: Malaga Half Marathon (Spain)
Why?
One of Spain's best kept secrets! Malaga is too often associated with a (big and ugly) seaside resort. Except that, out of season, it is the 6th largest city in Spain and the economic heart of Andalusia. It is a city that lives. At the rhythm of the local population, always busy in its numerous tapas bars in the heart of the historical center (very far from the concrete image that one can have of a seaside resort) or other "chiringuitos" (understand "beach bar") along the sea.
Small + of the race : circuit mainly along the sea
Link / Registration: 25-30€.
March 29, 2020: Madrid Half Marathon (Spain)
Why?
Because it is the Spanish capital! Because there are thousands of things to see and do and because it is very easily accessible from France on a weekend.
Link / Registration: 25€.
April 5, 2020: Half marathon of Florence (Italy)
Why?
It would be a bit difficult to make a classification of beauty of the cities of Italy so much the competition is hard (Venice, Rome...), but Florence is unquestionably a small jewel on the level of the cultural heritage! A city which smells good Tuscany and which one wants to visit at more than 5min of the kilo.
Link / Registration: 24 - 32€.
April 26, 2020: Dubrovnik half marathon (Croatia)
Why?
Race with an extremely limited number of places (no doubt to avoid putting empty stimium gels everywhere). Unfortunately already sold out for 2020 (shame! shame! shame!), think about putting it on your 2021 agenda because the course of this race along the walls is absolutely dreamy!
Small plus : the route, along the walls, in the heart of the historic center
Link / Registration: 30 - 55€.
1 comment
Hello, could you send me the information about the 2022-2023 editions? Thank you