Half Marathon races near Kenilworth

The Run Leicester Festival begins and ends in Victoria Park. This offers runners a city-centre race based in a park, rather than a point-to-point course. The event takes place in October and includes two options: a 10K or a half marathon, allowing participants to choose between a shorter city run and the full 13.1-mile distance. The course guides runners through Leicester’s central streets and parks before they return to Victoria Park. Mesothelioma UK utilizes the event as a fundraiser. Participants who join their team receive a fundraising pack, assistance from the charity’s fundraising staff, entry to a private Facebook group, and a branded vest or T-shirt for race day. Supporters can also purchase T-shirts and other fundraising items to wear while cheering.

Victoria Park provides a fitting start for runners: busy, practical, and with just enough anticipation before the road opens. The Leicester half marathon uniquely blends nature and the city center. The route crosses the Golden Mile, heads toward Watermead Country Park, and returns through lived-in streets. The event also has a community focus, with the organization supporting local health charities, including places for runners fundraising for bereavement support services. The course is largely flat and fast, but pace yourself. Runners will experience "fresh air" and "peaceful canals" before returning to the "urban buzz." New Walk presents the final challenge: a "magnificent historic pedestrian promenade" with a "gentle uphill false flat" to the finish. Expect numerous bands and roadside cheers, and a crowd whose enthusiasm remains strong when fatigue sets in.

The Rugby Half Marathon begins on Hart Field at 09:00, taking participants on a 13.1-mile, road-closed course through Rugby. This October event features town-centre streets, country roads, and mild undulations, suitable for runners seeking a consistent pace rather than a flat-out sprint. The route incorporates parts of the former Great Central Railway, now a linear nature reserve and wildlife area, before heading back to town for the finish. Participants receive chip timing, kilometre markers, complimentary race photos, a themed medal, and post-race refreshments. An event village offers food and drink, with optional event T-shirts available for purchase during registration.

The Birmingham Running Festival takes place on a November race day in Sutton Park, offering 5K, 10K, half marathon, and junior race options. It is structured as a late-season event, allowing runners to conclude their year with a short race, a longer effort, or a family-friendly junior run. The routes incorporate Sutton Park’s historic roads and gravel paths, providing a mix of firm running surfaces instead of a typical city-street course. The half marathon begins first, with the 10K, 5K, and junior race following later in the morning. The event also provides support for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The Run Alton Towers Half Marathon, 10K & 5K features chip-timed races within Alton Towers, located in Staffordshire, UK. Participants can select from a half marathon, 10K, 5K, or a children's race, accommodating families, novice runners, and those seeking a greater challenge. The course winds through the park grounds, distinct from typical town-road routes, setting this event apart from many local race weekends. It welcomes participants of all skill levels, with all finishers earning a distinctive themed medal. The event also supports Team Peter Pan.

The Birmingham Running Festival takes place in December at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield. The start and finish area is located near Park Road. Participants can select from a half marathon, 10K, 5K, or a Junior race. This event accommodates both individuals participating in their first organised run and those aiming for a final personal best before the year concludes. The half marathon begins in the morning, followed sequentially by the 10K, 5K, and the Junior race. The park setting is central to the event, offering a large green space within Birmingham as opposed to a city-street course. The day is intended to be friendly and festive, welcoming friends and families to attend for the shorter races or the children's event, in addition to the longer distances. The race also benefits local charities, including the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which delivers pre-hospital emergency care, and Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The ATW Mallory Park Winter Run features several races at Mallory Park Motor Racing Circuit: a half marathon, 10k, 5k, and Fun Run. The unique aspect is the location: runners race on a motor racing circuit instead of streets or lanes. The event is designed for cold-weather running, with options from a family Fun Run to a fast, flat half marathon. The course follows the circuit, offering closed-road running, consistent footing, and a venue suited for speed. The 5k is for a moderate winter challenge, while the 10k is for those seeking a tougher race. Wheelchair participants begin with the half marathon, and the Fun Run welcomes all ages and fitness levels, creating a diverse field compared to a typical club race.

The Warwick Half Marathon begins on Hampton Street in Warwick, sending runners on a 21.1 km course along closed roads through the Warwickshire countryside. This January road half marathon is open to participants aged 17 and older. The route is undulating, making steady pacing more important than an even split from the start. Runners will encounter broad views and quiet country roads, followed by a gentler final 2 km that slopes downhill towards the finish. The event also includes local support, clear signage, an event village, and a Junior Race for younger participants.

The Warwick Half Marathon begins at The Racecourse in Warwick at 9:00 am, taking runners on a half marathon course over entirely closed roads. The route features some undulations, making it suitable for runners seeking a challenging road race without traffic interference. A Fun Run is held concurrently with the half marathon, offering a shorter distance for families or less experienced runners. The course winds through the Warwickshire countryside surrounding Warwick, with support from local residents along the route. The final 2K offers a slight downhill gradient, leading to a faster finish. Participants receive a distinctive medal and post-event items. Runners can also connect their entry to fundraising efforts via GoFundMe. The event is becoming an established part of Warwick's local running schedule.

The Cardiff Half Marathon is a flat road race held in Cardiff, Wales, typically on the first Sunday of October. It originated as part of a larger Cardiff Marathon event, but the full marathon was discontinued as the half marathon gained more attention. The race is now managed by Run 4 Wales, a not-for-profit organization, and frequently sells out, attracting over 27,500 participants. It is included in the SuperHalfs series, alongside Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Valencia, and Copenhagen, drawing runners from the UK and internationally, not just a local field. The route passes through several of Cardiff’s landmarks, such as Cardiff Castle, the Cardiff Bay Barrage, the Pierhead Building, and Roath Park Lake. Its predominantly flat course is suitable for those running their first half marathon, club runners aiming for a fast time, and elite athletes, who may receive complimentary entry. The event has staged World, Commonwealth, British, and Welsh half marathon championships, with the Welsh championship consistently featured. Notable past participants include Tanni Grey-Thompson, Mo Farah, Ranulph Fiennes, and Scott Mills, and the race was featured on the television show Casualty as the fictional Holby Half Marathon.

The Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon begins in central Stratford-upon-Avon, across from Shakespeare’s former school, offering participants the choice of a full marathon or half marathon. It takes place in April on a mostly flat, fast course, suitable for both first-time runners and those aiming for a personal best. Its distinctiveness comes from its setting: this is a run through Shakespeare’s hometown and the surrounding Warwickshire countryside, not merely a town race. The route follows the River Avon, passes Holy Trinity Church (William Shakespeare’s burial place), and the Royal Shakespeare Theatres, then proceeds through English villages featuring thatched cottages, humpback bridges, and dry stone walls. Volunteers organize and staff the entire event, and the Shakespeare Marathon holds the BARR Gold standard for race organization. Over half of the funds generated benefit local charities, such as the Shakespeare Hospice, Stratford Samaritans, Life Space Trust, and ESH Works.