Half Marathon races near Elsmere

The Queen Bee Half Marathon Weekend is a race weekend in Cincinnati for women, featuring a 13.1-mile half marathon and a 4-mile option through Downtown. The half marathon begins in the morning, with the 4-miler starting shortly after, allowing runners in the shorter race to finish and greet half marathoners at the finish line. This event is part of the Flying Pig Marathon family and generates funds for local charities supporting women, while also encouraging fitness as a social and enjoyable activity. The half marathon course winds through Cincinnati neighborhoods, showcasing historic streets and city vistas, accompanied by numerous bands and DJs. The weekend strongly embraces its bee theme, evident in "Hive" start corrals, the Bee-U-Tique Expo, distinct refreshment areas, and a Queen Bee finisher medal. Participants receive chocolates, massages, merchandise, and access to an after-party, contributing to the race feeling more like a complete getaway with friends than a typical race.

The Queen Bee Half Marathon is a women’s half marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio, run in October with a 7:30 AM EDT start. It is organized by Cincinnati Marathon, Inc., and the race pitch is simple: make fitness feel fun while giving runners a weekend built around the half-marathon distance. The public race listing does not give a turn-by-turn course description, so the firm course detail is that runners cover 13.1 miles in Cincinnati. The weekend adds pampering, swag, and a girls’ weekend feel, while fundraising supports women-focused local charities and groups including Girls on the Run Cincinnati, Pink Ribbon Good, Young Women LEAD, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cancer Family Care, and the American Cancer Society.

Turkey Trails - Columbus is a Thanksgiving-themed race day in Columbus offering a half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1-mile race, and a kids' dash. The 5K, 10K, and half marathon are chip-timed with live results. The 1-mile race and kids' dash are untimed, suitable for a more relaxed run. The event encourages family participation, with youth pricing for the 5K and 10K, and a kids' dash for children 10 and under. All finishers receive a designer shirt, custom bib, and medal. For the kids' dash, children get a mini bib, youth-sized shirt, and child-specific medal. Children can also run the dash without charge if they forgo the swag. Awards, free race photos, finish-line treats, and a virtual race option are also provided.

The Honor Run Half Marathon begins and ends at Florence Mall in Florence, Kentucky, starting at 7:00 AM on the weekend closest to Veterans Day annually. This road half marathon directly supports Honor Flight Tri State, with race proceeds assisting local veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam in their travel to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials. The event also offers 10K and 5K run/walk options, catering to half marathoners, walkers, shorter-distance runners, and families supporting the cause. The initial mile circles the mall before the course proceeds along the west side of Florence Square and north on Houston Road. Participants will pass the City of Florence Golf Course, local businesses, Turfway Park, and Turfway Road, where aircraft might be landing or taking off at the adjacent Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The latter half follows Aero Parkway, turns back, and then heads toward the mall finish via Ted Bushelman Boulevard. The race originated as a practical fundraiser, contributing approximately $430,000 over its first ten years, which helped send around 800 local veterans to Washington, D.C.

The Cincinnati Hungry Turkey Half Marathon & 5K is a Thanksgiving-weekend running event in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both a half marathon and a 5K start in the morning. The 5K can be run or walked, and an untimed 5K is available for those who prefer not to race the clock. Families have shorter options: a 5K Kid’s Division Fun Run for children 11 and under, and a 100-meter Kid’s Dash. Virtual half marathon and 5K options allow participation from outside Cincinnati. The event is structured as a post-Thanksgiving outing, not solely a competition for runners. Finishers receive a medal. Participants can select a performance fleece hoodie or a long-sleeve shirt. Holtman’s Donuts are provided at the finish line, offering a Cincinnati-specific treat. The event encourages using the #TurkeyTradition tag for race photos, integrating a social aspect with timed races, untimed walks, kids’ events, and virtual entries.

Racing for Sustainability is a US-based running initiative for people who want races to create less waste. It focuses on the environmental footprint of running events, from local 5Ks to major marathons, and highlights the everyday litter runners encounter on course: discarded cups, gel packets, plastic bottles, food packaging, and unworn race shirts. Participants can sign up as Racing for Sustainability Champions, though the role is not limited to those entering a specific race. Some Champions run with charity bibs, while others support the initiative by wearing Racing for Sustainability apparel on a neighborhood run or at a local event, using it to start conversations about eco-friendly racing habits.