Half Marathon races near Fontana

Luz y Vida is a Día de los Muertos run/walk in Riverside, California, with 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon options from Ryan Bonaminio Park. A Better World Running organizes it, and the setup is low-key: bib pickup happens the morning of the race, all distances start early, and registration includes a custom finisher medal, a drawstring goodie bag, free photos, free videos, posted results, snacks, and samples. The course uses a marked open path shared with pedestrians, runners, and cyclists, so this is not a closed-road race. The 5k is an out-and-back, the 10k repeats that loop twice, the 15k repeats it three times, and the half marathon uses three 4.36-mile loops. Aid is available at the turnaround and start/finish area with water, Gatorade, and Gu gels. Strollers are allowed, dogs are not, and half marathoners get a 3-hour-15-minute limit with early starts available by request.

The Saddleback Marathon is a hilly trail marathon held in the Saddleback Mountains of Cleveland National Forest, near Silverado, California. The race route crosses areas between Orange and Riverside Counties, including the Trabuco District and locations such as Blue Jay Campground, Black Star Canyon, Ortega Highway, and The Main Divide. Wildfires and Covid have previously impacted the event, leading to cancellations and course adjustments, so the exact route may vary. Participants can expect a mix of truck trail ascents, technical singletrack, campground sections, and local trails like San Juan, Chiquito, San Juan Loop, Falcon Trail, and the Candy Store Loop. Entry is limited, cutoffs are enforced, and carpoolers will receive commemorative memorabilia.

The Five Star Thanksgiving Turkey Trot is an Atlanta race held on Thanksgiving morning, offering live 5K, 10K, 15K, and half marathon races, along with virtual options for each distance. The event is intentionally low-cost; runners not qualifying for free entry can register for a small fee, with race-day registration costing slightly more. The race originated from the organizers' decision, two weeks before Thanksgiving, to acknowledge participants from that season's races. This tradition continues: finishers from other Five Star races qualify for one free live 5K entry, though the Turkey Trot itself does not count towards this free spot. Shirts, hoodies, and finisher medals are available as optional purchases, allowing runners to customize their participation.

The Reindeer Run Riverside is a holiday-season run/walk held at Ryan Bonaminio Park in Riverside, California, offering 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon distances. The start and finish are located at the park's far end. Bib pickup occurs at the park on weekend mornings, with free parking available in the park lot and along Tequesquite Avenue. The routes consist of marked out-and-back loops on a shared path, meaning participants will encounter other pedestrians, runners, and cyclists. The 5k is a single out-and-back, the 10k is two repetitions of the 5k loop, the 15k is three repetitions, and the half marathon uses three 4.36-mile loops with a 3:15 time limit. Restrooms are situated near the start and finish. The aid station at the turnaround point provides water, Gatorade, and Gu gels. Strollers are permitted, but dogs are not. Finishers receive a custom medal, a goodie bag, complimentary photos and videos, snacks, and results posted within 12 to 24 hours.

The Citrus Heritage Run begins at Arlington Heights Sports Park in Riverside, California, offering a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a 1-mile kids race for participants 12 and under. The longer races commence early, with all distances concluding by late morning, structuring the event as a focused race-day schedule rather than an extended festival. The course winds through the orange groves of California Citrus State Historic Park, allowing runners to experience the scent of citrus and orange blossoms while taking in views of the nearby mountains and the Riverside skyline. The race attracts significant local attention, with every distance having sold out in a past event. Participants receive long-sleeve tech shirts, finisher medals, and age-group awards. Live bands perform along the course, hydration stations are provided, and the finish area offers fresh orange juice from a local grove, hot food, beer, and mimosas.