Half Marathons in South Carolina
My medal and number from the 2019 Governor’s Cup Half Marathon
Is running a half-marathon on your list of things to do for 2020? Why not come to sunny South Carolina and enjoy one of our many beautiful cities to run in? After creating this list of half marathons in South Carolina, I am inspired to try a few new ones myself!
January 11, 2020 Charleston, SC
Well, this one just happened, but you could always put it on next year’s list! Charleston is a great city that provides a flat course and a lot of amazing restaurants to try before and after your race. Average low is 43F and average high is 60F; and it seems like it is often a windy race. This year was a surprisingly warm and humid day with temperatures around 70 during the race.
January 18 Daufuskie Island Half Marathon
This half marathon is near Hilton Head Island, another great spot to visit in South Carolina! You’ll travel down paved and unpaved roads in a loop to the finish. Average high is 57F and low is 44F.
February 1 CrossFit864 Half Marathon in Clinton
You’ll start off flat in this race, but don’t push too hard because challenging hills are to come as the miles continue! According to the website, is a scenic course that takes you through downtown and into the business and pasture region. Average high is 58F and low is 38F.
February 1 Save the Light Half Marathon in Folly Beach
This half-marathon is mostly an out-and-back race that runs right along the cost. It starts and finishes at the Folly Beach Pier. My guess is, it must be pretty flat! The average high is 57F and low is 46F.
Just two hills to challenge you in this mostly-flat course. Here is another great opportunity to visit SC’s coast and check another 13.1 off of your list! Average high is 63F and low is 41F.
February 22 Governor’s Cup in Columbia
This is an iconic race in SC that has been going on for decades. Actually, it is getting close to half of a century!! I started running this race back in 2005 when it was in October. Since then it moved to May with a new course. Now it is in February to take advantage of cooler temperatures. This is a well-organized fun race to be a part of that travels through many beautiful areas of downtown and Shandon. The average high is 63F and the low is 39F.
February 29 Prisma Health Half Marathon in Traveler’s Rest
This point-to-point race is net down-hill on the Swamp Rabbit Trail and finishes in downtown Greenville! The first four miles are rolling, and then you basically get to roll downhill for the last nine miles. Greenville is a great little city with plenty of good eats and a fun night-life! Average high is 57 and low is 38.
Sorry guys, it looks like this race is just for women. You’ll run on the hard and flat beach the entire time during low tide. You’ll also want to be sure to bring your own hydration belt or hand-held water bottle. They are going green and you won’t find any disposable cups being handed out. Average high is 70F and low is 48F.
This is a very flat and fast course in one of SC’s most touristy cities. March is still the off-season, so it isn’t too crowded. I have only run this race once, but I did the full marathon. It was my very first marathon, so it is special to me! Average high is 65F and low is 47F.
If this one is on your list of races to run, you better sign up now! This will be the last Columbia half/full. I have done this full once and the half several times. There are plenty of rolling hills and a fairly big challenge near the end. You’ll enjoy a trip through downtown Columbia, into beautiful Shandon, and you’ll pass Lake Katherine. The finish line is right in front of the SC Statehouse. After the race, visit our incredible Riverbanks Zoo and visit the Vista for some delicious food! Average high is 71F and low is 46F.
March 8 Palmetto Bluff Marathon
This is flat and fast course is in Bluffton, SC. Also, by looking at the website, it looks like it is probably a pretty scenic course! Average high is 70F and low is 48F.
March 14 Pacing 4 Pieces in Florence
This race benefits All 4 Autism and the Autism Resource Center of the PeeDee. This race will take you through the streets of Florence and end at a fun after-party that will be great for the whole family! Average high 68F and low 44F.
March 14 Race for the Green in Seneca
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this hilly course! There is also some downhill too! Average high 65F and low 44F.
March 21 Beaufort Twilight Run
I’m not sure if you really call this a half marathon, but it sounds like a fun and different challenge. To get your 13.1, you will run a 5K and a 10 miler that start at different times. If you are a faster runner, you will have a break between the two races. So, with the break, you could challenge yourself to a faster time. The 10 mile portion is a fast, flat, scenic, double loop. Also, this is in the late afternoon. The 5K is at 4:30PM and the 10 miler is at 5:30PM. Average high is 70F and low is 49F.
March 28 Clemson Experimental Half Marathon
Do you like free stuff? Do you also like trail runs? If you said yes and yes, this event is for you! Run through the Clemson Experimental Forest, but be sure to pack some nutrition. There are aid stations, but not very many so you’ll want to be prepared. Average high 64F and low 40F.
April 4 Altamont Half Marathon
If you are up for a scenic, yet very challenging half marathon, go ahead and sign up for this one. You will climb almost 2000 feet during this race. Average high 65F and low 44F.
April 4 True to the Brew Half Marathon in Spartanburg
If you are looking for a challenging trail race with plenty of elevation, here you go! This is a point to point race that ends in Croft State Park. Looks like the scenery is beautiful, which hopefully will distract you from the hills! Average high 74F and low 51F.
April 5 Divas Half Marathon in North Myrtle Beach
Experience the Grand Strands historical areas and a run down Ocean Blvd. This is a flat course just like all of the other Myrtle Beach races. Average high 73F and low 55F.
April 18 or 29 Firebreak Half Marathon in Columbia
I found two different dates for this half marathon and one of them said “race date estimated”. This takes place at some point in the Harbison Forrest….maybe! Average high 80F and low 53F.
April 25 Kings Mountain Running Festival in Kings Mountain State Park
This is a challenging half marathon in Clover, SC that is not closed to traffic. However, the website says only park goers and those showing up for the race will be driving around. This looks like a scenic race, which hopefully distract you from the elevation! Average high 74F and low 49F.
April 25 Run United Half Marathon in Aiken
Run through beautiful, historic Aiken with only a little over 200 feet of elevation. Average high 79F and low 49F.
May 18 Mountains to Main Street Half Marathon
Run downhill on the Swamp Rabbit Trail in this destination half marathon. Average high 81F and low 60F.
July 12 Harbison State Forest Half Marathon in Columbia
This trail run takes place in the heat of summer, but at least there is shade in the forest! Average high is 95F and low 72F.
July 18 Ghost Pepper Half Marathon in Greenville
This is part of the Reaper Challenge and is run on a 2.62 mile loop. That’s right, you’ll run on a closed loop over and over! You have 40 minutes to complete each loop. If you finish early, you get a break, if you don’t finish within 40 minutes, you are disqualified. Average high 90F and the low is 71F.
October 3 Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon in Columbia
Run for a cause: to beat breast cancer! You will race through the streets of downtown Columbia including the Riverfront Park. Average high 78 and low 54.
October 18 Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon
Although I can’t find a course map, this marathon is surely flat given the location. Enjoy five miles of ocean front view in this race, a much less crowded tourist spot than if you visited in the summer, and cheaper hotel rates. The weather during October is also generally wonderful. This really is a great time of year to visit MB, so you might as well run a half marathon too! Average high 75 and low 57.
October 31 Spinx Run Fest
This race will take you through downtown Greenville, historic districts, and city parks. Average high 73F and low 53F.
November 7 Croft Half Marathon in Spartanburg
If trail running is your thing, this one is for you! In beautiful Croft State Park, you’ll be challenged for 13.1 miles! Average high is 63F and low is 43F.
November 7 Sweet Tea Half Marathon in Summerville
Run in the town recognized as the birthplace of sweet tea! You’ll be entertained with live music and take a journey on their recreational running path, through some neighborhoods, and end in the center of town according to their website. Average high is 69F and average low is 43F.
November 8 Sadlers Creek Stumble in Anderson
Be sure you are okay with double loops before signing up for this one. You’ll take two trips around a 6.25 mile loop and double back in a half-mile section. This race takes place at Sadlers Creek Park – Lake Hartwell and sounds like it is quite scenic. There are some hills and flat areas. Average high is 66F and average low is 43F.
November 14 Lexington Half Marathon
This is a fun, flat, fast race that ends in the Lexington County Baseball Stadium. The prizes for age group awards are usually Christmas ornaments, which super cool that time of year. I have enjoyed this race several times and love running with many friends as well. The average high is 62F and average low is 42F.
November 28 Palmetto Peach Half Marathon in North Augusta
If you are aiming to run in as many states as possible, here is an opportunity to hit South Carolina and Georgia in one race! You’ll toe the start line in SC, run on the North Augusta Greeneway, take a trip through downtown NA, cross the Savannah River into Georgia, and eventually make your way back into SC to cross the finish line. Average high is 63F and average low is 44F.
This race is so close to my heart as it is where I first qualified for Boston when I completed the full marathon. The half marathon is lovely also with absolutely beautiful scenery, a pancake flat course, and cool temperatures. It seems to threaten rain every year, but in the last three years that I participated, I didn’t get a drop on me! I recommend getting a group of friends together to share a house rental. Bring your food and just enjoy tooling around the island before and after the race. Average high is 61 and average low is 44.
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