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Top European Half Marathons To Run In 2027
Updated: 3 days ago
Europe has an exceptional choice of half marathons, from huge mass participation events to fast city races where personal bests and world class performances are part of the attraction.
For runners planning a race in 2027, the possibilities stretch from the Mediterranean coast to Scandinavia and from historic capitals to some of Europe's biggest running events. You could cross the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, race through the centre of Berlin, experience the crowds of Göteborgsvarvet or build your travels around the six races that make up the SuperHalfs series.
The races in this guide are presented in calendar order rather than ranked. They have been selected because they offer something worth travelling for, whether that is the course, atmosphere, scale of the event, potential for a fast time or the opportunity to explore a great European city.
Napoli City Half Marathon: 21 February 2027
The Napoli City Half Marathon combines serious racing credentials with one of the most distinctive destinations in this guide.
Naples gives runners Mediterranean scenery, historic streets and views of Mount Vesuvius. Its February date also means the race takes place well before most of Europe's major spring half marathons, making it an interesting early season target or part of a build towards a spring marathon.
It is also a genuinely fast race. Yeman Crippa ran 59:01 in 2026 to set an Italian half marathon record, while the women's Italian record was set here by Sofiia Yaremchuk in 2024. The course combines sea views, historic monuments and views towards Vesuvius.
Lisbon Half Marathon: 7 March 2027
Few European half marathons can match Lisbon for the spectacle of its famous crossing of the 25 de Abril Bridge. From there, runners head towards the Portuguese capital with the River Tagus providing the backdrop to much of the race.
Lisbon has established itself as a destination for fast half marathon running, but the overall experience is equally important. The waterfront setting, spring date and opportunity to explore Lisbon make it particularly attractive to runners travelling from elsewhere in Europe.
Lisbon is also the opening race on the 2027 SuperHalfs calendar. For runners beginning the six race challenge, it can provide the first stamp in a journey that eventually takes them through Portugal, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Wales and Spain.
Paris Half Marathon: 7 March 2027
The Semi de Paris is one of Europe's largest half marathons and offers a very different running experience from the full Paris Marathon.
The race focuses on the eastern side of the French capital, with the Bois de Vincennes forming an important part of the event. More than 40,000 runners take part each year, filling the streets of Paris for one of Europe’s largest half marathons.
Paris is also particularly easy to turn into a race weekend. Transport connections from across Europe are excellent, while the city provides almost unlimited options for sightseeing once the running is finished.
Prague Half Marathon: 3 April 2027
Prague provides one of the most attractive settings in the SuperHalfs series, combining an established international road race with the historic surroundings of the Czech capital.
The city is compact enough to work particularly well for a short race trip, while Prague's running credentials mean the event appeals to runners interested in performance as well as those primarily looking for a destination race.
Prague is the second event on the 2027 SuperHalfs calendar, with the series continuing in Berlin the following day. That unusual scheduling is important for anyone planning to complete all six races.
Berlin Half Marathon: 4 April 2027
Berlin's reputation for fast road racing extends well beyond its marathon. The Berlin Half Marathon has become one of Europe's major spring half marathons and attracts a substantial international field.
The race offers the wide roads and big city surroundings associated with running in Berlin, while the Brandenburg Gate provides one of the defining landmarks towards the end of the course.
Berlin is also one of the six SuperHalfs, combining a major city race with another opportunity to add a stamp to the SuperPassport. With Berlin taking place the day after Prague in 2027, runners working towards the SuperMedal will need to tackle the two races in different years.
London Landmarks Half Marathon: 4 April 2027
The London Landmarks Half Marathon has established its own identity in a city already packed with major running events.
Its closed road course runs through Westminster and the City of London, creating a sightseeing focused half marathon through the capital. Famous buildings and landmarks form an important part of the experience, while entertainment around the course contributes to the atmosphere.
Charity fundraising is central to the event. The race is organised by Tommy's and provides runners with opportunities to support a wide range of charities. The 2027 event will also be the tenth edition of the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
Madrid Half Marathon: 4 April 2027
Madrid offers a different proposition from Europe's flattest half marathons. The Spanish capital has an undulating profile, so runners should expect a different challenge from the flatter courses found in cities such as Berlin and Valencia.
The attraction is the opportunity to race through one of Europe's great capitals as part of a large and established running event. Madrid's broad avenues, architecture and big city atmosphere make the race particularly appealing to runners who value the destination as much as the stopwatch.
The city also has excellent transport connections and enough food, culture and sightseeing to make the half marathon one part of a longer weekend away. The race starts on Paseo de Recoletos, with the 21.097km course officially certified by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation.
Helsinki City Half: 8 May 2027
The Helsinki City Half is Finland's largest half marathon and forms part of Helsinki City Run, a major running weekend that attracts thousands of runners to the Finnish capital.
The race offers an opportunity to experience Helsinki's combination of waterfront scenery, green spaces and distinctive Nordic architecture. The wider event attracts runners from more than 100 countries, giving the weekend a strong international feel.
Helsinki also provides something different from the more familiar European race destinations in this guide. Its compact centre makes it well suited to a short running trip, while the historic Helsinki Olympic Stadium provides an impressive setting for the event.
Riga Half Marathon: 16 May 2027
The Riga Half Marathon forms part of the Riga Marathon weekend, one of the biggest mass participation sporting events in the Baltic region.
The wider weekend attracted a record 46,313 participants from 116 countries in 2026, while the half marathon also attracts a high quality elite field. In 2026, Kenya's Charles Mbatha Matata won the men's race in 59:15 and Ethiopia's Ejgayehu Taye set a women's course record of 1:04:22.
Riga, the capital of Latvia, adds another distinctive destination to the European calendar, combining Art Nouveau architecture, a UNESCO listed historic centre and the Daugava River. New courses are being developed for 2027, so runners should check the final route when it is announced.
Göteborgsvarvet: 22 May 2027
Göteborgsvarvet turns Gothenburg into a running city for one of the biggest half marathon weekends anywhere in the world.
The event describes itself as the world's largest half marathon, and 55,000 runners signed up for the 2026 edition. The combination of a huge field, music, spectators and a route through Gothenburg creates a very different experience from many of Europe's capital city races.
Demand for 2027 has been extraordinary. Entries opened on 23 May 2026 and the race sold out just three days later. Runners who missed out can join the official waiting list for the opportunity to secure a place that becomes available.
Great North Run: 12 September 2027
The Great North Run is one of Europe's defining mass participation races and is described by the organiser as the world's biggest half marathon.
The point to point course begins in Newcastle upon Tyne before runners cross the Tyne Bridge and head through Gateshead towards South Shields. It is not a flat route, with climbing through the middle and later stages before the course eventually drops towards the North Sea and the seafront finish.
Atmosphere is one of the biggest attractions. The 2026 event had 63,000 participants, while huge crowds and the famous sight of the Tyne Bridge packed with runners help make this a race where the experience can matter every bit as much as the finishing time.
The September ballot for 2027 has already been drawn, but unsuccessful runners will have another opportunity in the January ballot. Charity places provide another important route onto the start line.
Copenhagen Half Marathon: 19 September 2027
Copenhagen has become one of Europe's biggest destination half marathons as well as one of its fastest.
The course runs through Copenhagen and Frederiksberg and is designed for fast racing, while large crowds give the event an atmosphere to match its scale. For 2027, the race is expanding to 45,000 runners, making this an exceptionally large European half marathon.
Copenhagen is also one of the six SuperHalfs, adding another reason for international runners to target the race. Entry for 2027 is being allocated through a lottery, reflecting the level of demand for places.
Cardiff Half Marathon: 3 October 2027
Cardiff brings the SuperHalfs series to Wales and has grown into one of the UK's leading half marathons.
The course combines the city centre with some of Cardiff's best known landmarks and waterfront areas. Large crowds, extensive charity participation and a compact city centre help create a major race atmosphere without many of the logistical challenges associated with larger capitals.
Demand has led the organisers to introduce a ballot for general entry. The 2027 ballot opened on 1 October 2026 and closes at midnight on 18 October, with separate UK and international allocations. Charity places and other entry routes are also available.
Valencia Half Marathon: 24 October 2027
Valencia has become one of the world's great road running cities, and its half marathon is a major reason for that reputation.
The flat course, elite fields and emphasis on fast racing make Valencia particularly attractive to runners targeting a personal best. The event has been the setting for exceptional performances at the front of the field, while recreational runners benefit from the same fast course.
Valencia also provides an appealing late season target. Months of summer training can lead into an October race, while the city's climate and Mediterranean location add to its attraction for travelling runners.
Valencia is the final SuperHalfs race of the 2027 calendar year, giving runners another opportunity to complete the six race challenge before the season ends.
Amsterdam Half Marathon: 31 October 2027
The Amsterdam Half Marathon gives runners the opportunity to take on 13.1 miles as part of the Amsterdam Marathon weekend.
The race benefits from the atmosphere and organisation surrounding one of Europe's established marathon weekends, while Amsterdam itself is particularly convenient for an international running trip. Good transport connections and a compact centre make it straightforward to combine the race with a few days exploring the city.
The relatively flat terrain is another attraction for runners who prefer a course where they can settle into a consistent rhythm. For anyone who wants to experience the Amsterdam Marathon weekend without committing to 26.2 miles, the half marathon provides an obvious alternative.
Its position at the end of October also makes Amsterdam one of the final major European half marathons of the year.
The SuperHalfs
Six races in this guide form the SuperHalfs series: Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen, Cardiff and Valencia.
Runners create a free SuperPassport and complete all six races in any order. Each completed event counts towards the challenge, with the SuperMedal awarded at the finish of the sixth race.
There is no longer a time limit for completing the series, making it possible to build the challenge around your own running, travel and financial commitments. Entry to each race is handled separately, however, and securing places can be a significant part of the challenge.
The 2027 calendar begins with Lisbon on 7 March, followed by Prague on 3 April, Berlin on 4 April, Copenhagen on 19 September, Cardiff on 3 October and Valencia on 24 October.
Which European Half Marathon Should You Choose?
The right race depends on what you want from your 13.1 miles. Runners chasing fast times are likely to be drawn towards Valencia, Copenhagen, Berlin and Napoli, while the Great North Run, Göteborgsvarvet and Paris stand out for the scale and atmosphere of the occasion.
Lisbon, Prague, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Riga and Madrid are particularly appealing if exploring the destination is an important part of the trip. London Landmarks offers a sightseeing focused route through the British capital, while Napoli combines a fast race with a distinctive Mediterranean setting.
Entry can be just as important as the course when making your choice. Göteborgsvarvet is already sold out for 2027, Copenhagen is using a lottery and several other races use ballots or attract significant demand. If one particular event matters to you, investigate its entry arrangements well before your training plan begins.
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