May is not only the month of many marathons, but also the month of many half marathons.
Every weekend there are many opportunities for sports enthusiasts to start in half marathon competitions.
Large half marathons often booked up ahead of time
With a distance of just over 21 kilometers, the half marathon, unlike the marathon, can be completed without long-term and targeted preparation. Spontaneous participation is quite possible over this distance, while a last-minute start at the marathon usually ends in disaster.
Accordingly, it is quite common to decide to participate only a few days before a half marathon. However, athletes should bear in mind that the half marathon events are often booked up many weeks in advance, especially in the case of large city races.
3 Half Marathon-Recommendations in Europe
Three hot tips in Europe: The Great Manchester Run is one of the fastest 10-kilometer races in the world. However, there is also an option to compete over the half marathon distance. It is one of the biggest running events in the UK.
The GöteborgsVarvet is even one of the largest half marathons in the world. More than 40,000 take part in the 21.1-kilometer race in of Sweden.
At the Night Marathon Luxembourg (held annually at the end of May or beginning of June), the half marathon race is the big highlight of the event, with over 7,000 starters.
Plenty of choice in Germany
The selection of half marathons in Germany in the month of May is large. The classic marathons in Mannheim, Heilbronn, Gelsenkirchen, Würzburg and Regensburg all have half marathon events in their program. The Rennsteiglauf also offers a half-marathon distance.
Also highly recommended are the Ingolstadt half marathon and the Herzogstadtlauf Straubing, which is often held in June.
Nice half marathons in Austria and Switzerland
In Austria, we recommend a start at the Salzburg Half Marathon or the Welschlauf. In Switzerland, you can also run the half distance at the Geneva Marathon.
All big and well-known half marathon competitions in May can be found in the following overview:
Half marathons in May: Selection of major events
Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival
 | 01.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
 | Innsbruck |
 | 110 km / 85 km / 65 km / 42 km / 35 km / 25 km / 15 km / 7 km |
MK Marathon (Milton Keynes Marathon)
| 04.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Milton Keynes |
| 42,2 km / 21,1 km / 10 km / 5 km / 2,62 km |
GutsMuths-Rennsteiglauf
| 09.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Suhl |
| 73,9 km / 42,2 km / 21,1 km / 17 km / 10,5 km / 7,2 km - 1,1 km |
Genf Marathon / Genève Marathon for Unicef
| 10.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Chêne-Bougeries |
| 42,195 km / 21,1 km / 10 km / 6 km / 3 km / 2 km / 1 km |
Heilbronner Trollinger Marathon
| 10.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Heilbronn |
| 42,2 km / 21,095 km / 10 km / 4,2 km / Kinder: 3 km / 1,5 km / 0,8 km / 0,4 km |
ING Night Marathon Luxembourg (Luxemburg-Marathon)
| 16.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Luxembourg |
| 42,2 km / 21,1 km / 5 km / 4,2 km / 1 km |
Regensburg Marathon
| 17.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Regensburg |
| 42,2 km / 31,6 km / 21,1 km / 10,5 km / 7 km / 4,2 km / 2,1 km / 1 km |
Ottawa Race Weekend - Ottawa Marathon & Ottawa 10K
| 24.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Ottawa |
| 42,2 km / 21,1 km / 10 km / 5 km / 2 km |
Click on "Weiter" to get to the overview of all half marathon races in May in USA:
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