Half Marathon races near Menlo Park

Prepare for a high-energy racing weekend in the heart of Speed City, USA. This event is a Rock 'n' Roll San Jose experience, where the streets become a concert venue and race course. It's a weekend to run, rock, and celebrate, with race-day energy from start to finish. Lace up for an ultra-fast course, known for being flat and built for speed, perfect for chasing personal bests. As you run through the streets, live music plays, turning every mile into a performance. It's a blend of athleticism and entertainment, ensuring a memorable race-day.

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Run sends runners onto the Coastal Trail with a pumpkin waiting for them at the end. It is a race weekend event in Half Moon Bay, California, tied to the Annual Art & Pumpkin Festival, with a Kid's Fun Run, 5K, 10K, and half marathon based around Hatch Elementary School and the Pacific-side trail. Senior Coastsiders hosts it, and the proceeds support programs for local older adults. The route follows coastal paths overlooking the ocean, with rolling but generally fast, flat terrain that works for beginners, fun runners, and people chasing a personal best. The half marathon starts early and has a 3.5-hour cutoff, while the 5K and longer races include chip timing and finisher medals unless runners opt out. The festival side adds the Great Pumpkin Parade, live music, pie-eating contests, costume contests, giant pumpkin displays, and free admission on historic Main Street in the self-styled World Pumpkin Capital.

The Santa Cruz Marathon is a coastal race series held in Santa Cruz, California. Its routes wind along the beach, bluffs, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Participants begin near the historic boardwalk, proceed through seaside streets towards Capitola Village, and then return to Santa Cruz for a finish adjacent to the sand. The half marathon follows a southbound out-and-back course through coastal neighborhoods and Capitola. Marathon participants continue further, incorporating the rugged trails and ocean vistas of Wilder Ranch State Park. The race offers marked courses, hydration stations, on-route support, medals, and refreshments at the finish line.

The Halloween Trick or Trot Run is a Halloween road race held at Crissy Field in San Francisco. Participants can select a 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, or half marathon, accommodating those seeking a brief, enjoyable run and those targeting 13.1 miles. The race takes place in San Francisco County, within the Bay Area. The start is located at Crissy Field, and the course map is emailed to participants. The Halloween theme is integral to the event; participants are encouraged to bring a friend, set a goal, and receive free Halloween candy post-run.

The PB&J Fuel Run 5K/10K/13.1 SAN FRANCISCO is a running event in San Francisco offering 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. Organized by The Best Races, its peanut butter and jelly theme lends a playful tone rather than intense race-day focus. The event features a relaxed atmosphere. Participants are encouraged to "spread the fun" and approach the day with "no stress, no expectations," running at their own pace. While specific route details are not provided, the race emphasizes feel-good miles, a satisfying finish, and the concept of running your own way.

The Golden Gate Half Marathon & 5K is a Sunday race in San Francisco with the bridge at the center of the day. Runners choose between a half marathon and a 5K, with the shorter distance open to both runners and walkers and aimed at a wide range of abilities. The half marathon crosses the Golden Gate Bridge twice, giving runners long looks at the bay, Alcatraz, and San Francisco from one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The event draws runners from around the world, uses the hashtag #RunTheBridge, and is tied to the Bay Area running community as much as to the bridge itself.

The Veterans Day Freedom Run in San Francisco is a road run at Crissy Field, offering 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances. It is centered on Veterans Day gratitude, allowing participants to run or walk without the pressure of a competitive race. Waves are capped and may sell out; a waitlist and virtual option are available when in-person spots are full. The event accommodates all paces and ages, with participants under 18 requiring a guardian. Timing is optional; runners may use an app to track and submit results online, or seek assistance from coordinators, as there are no timing chips. Participants can fundraise for a chosen charity, with all net proceeds directed to that cause. Included with registration are a running shirt for U.S. participants, a finisher medal, a towel or giveaway item, a digital training pack, online results, a completion certificate, and an invitation to local running clubs.

The Zoom Turkey Trot begins Thanksgiving morning at Hellyer County Park in San Jose. Runners will use the Coyote Creek Trail, with the Buena Vista Pavilion serving as the race hub. The event offers a 5K, 10K, and a USATF-certified half marathon. A free 50-yard Kids Run is available for children aged 6 and under. Starts are staggered throughout the morning, beginning with the Kids Run, followed by the half marathon, 10K, and 5K. Separate 5K and 10K registration categories exist for younger runners, making the event suitable for families and adults seeking a longer holiday run. The course is largely flat, fully marked, and almost entirely paved. The 5K and 10K routes remain on pavement, while the half marathon includes a short single-track section. Aid stations are positioned every 2 to 4 miles, offering fruit, salty snacks, candy, water, and electrolyte drink. The race is cupless; runners must carry their own bottle or cup. Course rules include passing on the left with a callout, keeping headphones off on single track, road crossings, aid stations, and the finish line, and leaving dogs off the course. Participants receive a custom medal, pre-registered runners get shirts, and age-group awards are given to the top three finishers in each category. The top three male and female runners in each distance receive awards and race credits. A literal Thanksgiving prize is also awarded: runners can win a turkey.

Summit Rock is an early-winter trail race in Sanborn County Park, just outside Saratoga in Northern California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. The series offers a half marathon, 10K, and 5K on forested terrain, with pines, redwoods, oak trees, and miles of single-track trail inside a park of more than 3,600 acres. It is a timed race with electronic chip timing, but walkers and hikers are welcome too, so the field is not limited to runners chasing a fast finish. The half marathon and 10K climb toward peaks, while every distance uses narrow trail under the tree canopy. The terrain is challenging, with enough climbing and descending that new trail runners are encouraged to walk the hills and save energy for flatter or downhill sections. More experienced runners get a tougher mountain-route outing close to Silicon Valley, San Jose, and San Francisco, and all finishers receive custom medals. The race takes its name from Summit Rock, the park peak tied to the event.

Jingle All the Way: A Merry Christmas Run is a holiday race series in San Francisco offering 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances. A Family 1 Mile Fun Run is also available for those not wanting to commit to longer distances, and a virtual run option exists for remote participation. The event is scheduled before Christmas celebrations, encouraging families and friends to gather. The theme focuses on Christmas values like spreading love, selfless giving, and enjoying time with others. The 5K, 10K, and half-marathon registrations include an eco-registration option for participants who prefer not to receive a shirt.

The Crystal Springs Trail Run begins at Huddart Park in Woodside, California, leading runners into the wooded paths surrounding King’s Mountain and Bear Gulch. This winter trail race offers distances from a 5-mile run to an ultramarathon, including a half marathon, 22 miles, a marathon, and a 50K. A free 50-yard dash is also available for children aged 6 and under. Established in 2006, the event does not offer prize money, fostering a community atmosphere rather than a professional competition. The course is predominantly unpaved, with approximately 95% of the route on dirt trails, featuring a total elevation gain of 4,810 feet. Participants will traverse redwood forests and areas dense with ferns. The organizers emphasize trail etiquette, requesting runners announce passes, remain on marked paths to avoid poison oak, and refrain from using headphones on single-track sections, road crossings, aid stations, and near the finish line. Bibs indicate each runner's chosen distance, and participants can change their race distance via email or during check-in.