Half Marathon races near La Porte

The Day of the Dead Half Marathon takes place on a fall morning at Stewart Beach, located at 401 Seawall Blvd in Galveston, Texas. Bigfoot Running Company organizes this event, which features a Dia de los Muertos theme. Participants can select from a Kids Dash, 1 Mile, 5K, Quarter Marathon, or Half Marathon. Packet pickup occurs before the start of the races. The Kids Dash begins first, followed by the main races after the National Anthem is sung. The event is structured as a beach-side running party rather than a standard road race. A costume contest is held before the start, and a live DJ announces participant names. All finishers receive medals and soft t-shirts, and Bigfoot Trophy awards complement the organizer's Bigfoot theme. Aid stations are positioned along the course. After completing their race, runners can access snacks, drinks, and a post-race rally tent. The event is geared towards families, offering youth pricing for participants aged 12 and under in the 5K and Quarter Marathon, along with group discounts and opportunities to volunteer before running.

Galveston Ultra Trail takes place on Galveston Island, Texas, with the Gulf of Mexico bordering the course instead of a road shoulder or forest trail. Trail Racing Over Texas is the organizer. The event offers distances from a 1 Mile Walk, Kids Run, 5K run/walk, and 5K ruck, up to a 10K, half marathon, 50K relay, and a 50K ultra. The course features miles of open beach, with hard-packed sand suitable for consistent running and ocean views throughout. The 50K is a point-to-point race across the island. Shorter distances offer the same coastal experience for walkers, ruckers, new runners, relay teams, and ultra runners.

The Haunted 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Deer Park is a morning race in Deer Park, Texas, offering 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. It begins at 8:00 AM from the large pavilion. Registration must be completed via RunSignup prior to race day, as no on-site sign-ups will be available. The 5K and 10K follow an out-and-back course, with the 5K completed twice and the 10K completed four times. The half marathon also utilizes an out-and-back route. Packet pickup is efficient, opening 30 minutes before the start and concluding 10 minutes prior to the race.

The Shipley Donut Dash is a fall race at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, offering 5K, 10K, and Kids Dash distances. The race centers on Shipley Do-Nuts, providing runners and walkers with donut stops during the course and additional donuts at the finish. The event embraces its theme with a donut-themed shirt, a donut finisher medal, and donuts and coffee for participants. It suits runners aiming for a specific time, families with children participating in the shorter dash, and walkers primarily interested in the treats. A portion of the proceeds benefits Kids' Meals, a Houston-area charity that combats childhood hunger.

The UTHealth Houston Half Marathon & 10K begins and ends near Sam Houston Park on Bagby Street in downtown Houston, offering half-marathon and 10K distances on a mostly flat course. The event takes place in late October, presented by the Houston Striders, a volunteer nonprofit running club dedicated to community wellness and charitable outreach. The race attracts local runners, walkers, charity fundraisers, and members of Team UTHealth Houston, including students, faculty, staff, and their families. The Striders have organized races in Houston since 1985, directing over $1 million to Houston-area organizations and nonprofits. Participants can also fundraise via the Kind Stride Program. Race-day amenities include a runners' village at the start and finish, bag drop, bike valet, complimentary photo downloads, age-group awards for the top three finishers in each category, finisher medals, and a post-race reception featuring breakfast tacos, Karbach beer, and IHOP pancakes.

The PB&J Fuel Run in Houston offers participants three distance options: 5K, 10K, or a half marathon. Organized by The Best Races, the event embraces a peanut-butter-and-jelly theme with a relaxed, playful atmosphere, deviating from a typical competitive race message. The course details are not specified, but the format is clear: runners select a short, middle, or 13.1-mile option and proceed at their own pace. The event emphasizes a "no stress, no expectations" approach, encouraging participants to complete their chosen distance and enjoy the run without the pressure of competition.

The Great Houston Pie Run is a Houston holiday race with a straightforward premise: run first, then eat pie. This event is the eighth in the Houston Holiday Series, offering runners a festive choice that avoids an early Thanksgiving Day start. The course is noted as fast and welcoming, attracting both regular runners and those primarily interested in the dessert. All finishers get a complimentary beer and a mini-pie, lending the event the feel of a pre-dinner gathering rather than a typical race morning.

The Thanksgiving Gobble Trot Run 5K/10K/13.1 Houston is a holiday run held at Eleanor Tinsley Park in Houston. It offers 5K, 10K, half marathon, virtual, and 1-mile family run options. The event takes place on Thanksgiving weekend with morning start times, encouraging participants to be active before their holiday meal. Walkers are welcome, runners of all abilities can participate, and individuals under 18 require adult supervision. This event is characterized as a smaller, private group run rather than a large, open-field city race. The organizer limits participant numbers with waves that close once full. The course map is provided to registered runners, with the primary location being Eleanor Tinsley Park near Allen Parkway. Participants can also select a no-shirt Eco-Registration for the 5K, 10K, and half marathon, or opt for a virtual run if unable to join a wave or preferring to run independently.

This 5K and 10K, now in its 46th year, is held with the Annual Lampasas Spring Ho Festival. Proceeds support Lampasas community scholarships and non-profits. Earn points for the Centex Race Series. The first 200 participants receive a race bag. The 10K is called the 'Toughest 10K in Texas'. Parts of the course will be open to vehicular traffic.

Santa Hustle Galveston is a holiday-themed road race held at Beach Central in Galveston, Texas. Taking place in December, it features a half marathon, 5K, and Kids Dash, with shorter fun-run options also available. As part of the Santa Hustle series, the event emphasizes Christmas costumes, Santa-style race energy, and a family-friendly atmosphere over a competitive marathon program. The course utilizes Galveston's roads, with Beach Central as the event's central point. Participant numbers are anticipated between 1,000 and 5,000, creating a lively atmosphere without the scale of a major city marathon. The combination of a half marathon, 5K, and kids race attracts participants seeking various distances, from those using the holiday season for a longer run to families wanting a short, festive run by the beach.

The Merry Christmas Run in Houston is a small holiday running event held at Eleanor Tinsley Park. It offers 5K, 10K, half marathon, family mile, virtual run, and no-shirt eco-registration options. This event is designed for runners and walkers seeking a Christmas-themed outing before holiday festivities, welcoming all paces and allowing children with a guardian. The event utilizes capped waves, meaning entries may close once a wave is full. The virtual option serves as a backup for those who miss in-person spots. Timing is optional, and the course map is emailed to participants. Organizers structure the day as a straightforward group run with coordinator support, avoiding elaborate race-day production.