UK Winter Half Marathons 2026 to 2027: 15 Races From November to March

The UK winter half marathon season runs from the Conwy Half on Sunday 15 November 2026 to the Swansea and Alloa halves on Sunday 21 March 2027, and March is the busiest month by far, with Bath, Cambridge, Liverpool and Inverness all on Sunday 14 March 2027. Below are 15 races whose dates we checked on each organiser's own website on 26 October 2026, with location, course profile and entry status, followed by how to train for one through the cold, dark months.

A winter half is a brilliant goal. It gives the darkest weeks of the year a purpose, it is short enough that a beginner can get ready in around three months, and finishing one in February or March sets you up nicely for spring and summer running.

Which UK half marathons are on between November 2026 and March 2027?

Here is the calendar at a glance. Entry status is what each organiser's website showed on 26 October 2026, and it can change quickly, so check before you build a training block around a race. We have left entry prices out because most of these races use tiered pricing that rises as race day gets closer.

Dates and entry status checked on organisers' websites on 26 October 2026. Races sell out and details change, so confirm on the official site before you enter or book travel.

Which November and December half marathons can you still run?

Late-autumn options are limited and fill early. The Conwy Half Marathon on Sunday 15 November 2026 starts on the quayside beneath Conwy Castle, heads through Deganwy to Llandudno and then loops around the Great Orme, which the organiser describes as undulating with a couple of steep sections before a two-mile downhill back towards the West Shore. It is sold out for 2026, so it is one to note for next year.

Run Fest Silverstone on Sunday 22 November 2026 puts a half marathon on the Grand Prix circuit itself, and Silverstone's event page says race entries are now full. That leaves the new Darlington Half Marathon on Sunday 6 December 2026 as the open option on this list. The organiser, RunThrough, describes a brand-new, fast, flat and fully road-closed route starting and finishing in the town centre.

A race this close is really for runners who already have a base and are running 8 to 10 miles comfortably. If you are starting from scratch, look at February or March instead, where a sensible 12-week build fits.

What are the best January and February half marathons?

York's Brass Monkey Half Marathon on Sunday 17 January 2027 is one of the classic winter halves: a flat, fast route looping south from York Racecourse, with 1,800 places. Because it sells out so quickly, York Knavesmire Harriers used a ballot again, which closed on 2 October 2026. If you missed it, keep an eye on next autumn's ballot.

February opens with the ATW Watford Half Marathon on Sunday 7 February 2027. It starts in Cassiobury Park and runs on fully closed roads into the country lanes behind the Grove, and the organiser pitches it as a challenging route and a good London Marathon training race. There is a cut-off of 2 hours 45 minutes at the 11-mile point because the roads reopen, which is worth knowing if you are a newer runner.

The David Cliff Wokingham Half Marathon on Sunday 21 February 2027 is the opposite: fast, flat rural roads, fully closed, starting and finishing at Cantley Park. Its organisers say the last race sold out before the closing date, so enter early if it appeals.

Sunday 28 February 2027 gives you two very different races in the South East. The ALTRA Brighton Half Marathon runs along the seafront on closed roads, out along Madeira Drive and west as far as Hove Lagoon, with a finish on the Hove promenade. The Hendy Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon is labelled undulating, and the organiser makes a point of mentioning the 300ft ascent of Spring Hill in Fordcombe.

Why are so many half marathons in March?

March is peak season for two reasons. The weather is starting to turn, and lots of runners use a half marathon as a check-in during spring marathon training. That is why four big races share Sunday 14 March 2027.

• Middlesbrough Half Marathon, Sunday 7 March 2027. Now in its third year, starting in Centre Square on a flat, fully road-closed course, with a 3-hour cut-off.
• GetPRO Bath Half, Sunday 14 March 2027. Starts at Royal Victoria Park and runs on traffic-free streets in central Bath. The organiser lists the terrain as fast and flat, and its FAQ says 2027 entries are on sale, with charity places also offered.
• Cambridge Half Marathon, Sunday 14 March 2027. A flat, fast course through the city's historic streets and university grounds. The 2026 race sold out in record time, and when we checked, the official site was taking pre-registrations for general entry, while charity places were available through partner charities.
• Liverpool Half Marathon, Sunday 14 March 2027. Starts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and finishes at the Pier Head on the waterfront, with a 3-hour cut-off. A new Liverpool 10K runs on the same morning in 2027.
• Inverness Half Marathon, Sunday 14 March 2027. The organiser calls it fast and flat, starting along the banks of the River Ness. General entry is open, and the race will host the 2027 Scottish Half Marathon Championships.
• Swansea Half Marathon, Sunday 21 March 2027. A coastal course with views across Swansea Bay on fully closed roads, and the organiser quotes an elevation gain of just 36 metres.
• Alloa Half Marathon, Sunday 21 March 2027. The 43rd running, on a single-lap road route through the Clackmannanshire countryside with about 96 metres of total climb. Early-bird pricing runs until 31 December 2026.

Which winter half marathons suit a first race or a personal best?

Course profile matters more in winter than people expect, because wind, cold and wet roads already slow you down. If this is your first half or you want a fast time, the flattest options here, going by the organisers' own descriptions, are Swansea, Wokingham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, the Brass Monkey, Bath, Cambridge and Inverness. Coastal courses such as Swansea and Brighton are flat but can be exposed to wind, so think of them as flat rather than guaranteed fast.

If you like a challenge, Conwy, Tunbridge Wells and Watford all have real climbing. Prepare for that with hilly long runs and a weekly set of hill repeats, rather than hoping the downhills will make up for it on the day.

When should you start a 12-week plan for a winter half marathon?

Most beginner plans run for around 12 weeks. Count back from race day and start on a Monday, so your race is the Sunday at the end of week 12. Here is how that works for some of the races above:

• Brass Monkey, Sunday 17 January 2027: start on Monday 26 October 2026, which is today.
• Brighton or Tunbridge Wells, Sunday 28 February 2027: start on Monday 7 December 2026.
• Bath, Cambridge, Liverpool or Inverness, Sunday 14 March 2027: start on Monday 21 December 2026.
• Swansea or Alloa, Sunday 21 March 2027: start on Monday 28 December 2026.

Notice that the mid-March races put Christmas in your first week. That is fine. Treat week one as a gentle start, fit the runs in where you can, and save the structure for January. If you are completely new to running, use the weeks before your start date to build up to running for 30 minutes comfortably. Our 12-week half marathon training plan for beginners lays out the full week-by-week build.

How do you train for a half marathon through the winter?

A winter half is mostly about consistency. Short, dark days make it tempting to skip runs, so set up a routine you can keep even when the weather is grim.

• Three or four runs a week is plenty for most beginners. Keep most of them easy and conversational, with one longer run and one session that includes some faster running.
• Do your long run in daylight where you can. Weekends make this easier. Build it gradually so you reach around 10 or 11 miles a couple of weeks before race day.
• Have an indoor back-up. On icy days a treadmill session or an indoor workout is better than forcing a run on slippery pavements.
• Add one or two short strength sessions a week. Squats, lunges, hip hinges and calf raises support your running and help you stay consistent.
• Move sessions rather than stacking them. If Tuesday is a washout, shift it, but avoid cramming two hard days back to back.
• Warm up indoors before cold runs. A few minutes of easy movement at home, then start the run slowly and let your pace come to you.
• Take time off when you feel unwell. A few missed days will not ruin a 12-week build, but running through it can set you back longer.

Then taper. Ease off in the final week or so, so you arrive at the start line fresh rather than tired. On race morning, bring an old layer you are happy to leave behind at the start, because standing around in February or March gets cold quickly.

What kit and safety do you need for dark, cold long runs?

Winter runs often start or finish in the dark, and the right kit makes them safer and far more pleasant.

• Layers you can adjust. A breathable base layer, a light jacket for wind and rain, and running tights or leggings. Aim to feel slightly cool for the first few minutes.
• Gloves and a hat or headband. Hands and ears usually feel the cold first.
• A head torch or chest light for unlit paths, plus reflective details on your jacket, shoes or a vest.
• Shoes with decent grip for wet leaves and slick pavements, or trail shoes if your routes get muddy.
• Phone, a bank card and a snack or gel for anything over an hour.

The Highway Code's rules for pedestrians are a good guide. Rule 2 says that where there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so you can see oncoming traffic. Rule 3 says to wear something light-coloured, bright or fluorescent in poor daylight and to use reflective materials in the dark, which drivers using headlights can see up to three times as far away as non-reflective materials.

Pick well-lit routes you know, tell someone where you are going and roughly when you will be back, and think about running with a club or a friend for longer evening runs. Our winter running kit list for beginners covers what is worth buying, and our guide to winter running in the dark goes deeper on staying safe.

How can Edge help you train for a winter half marathon?

Edge is a free fitness app, and Edge Pro builds a fully personalised plan across running, strength, HIIT and mobility, ready within 24 hours, with a real coach you can message anytime. That suits a winter half, because your strength and mobility work sits in the same plan as your runs instead of being an afterthought. Edge syncs with Strava, Garmin, Apple Health and Coros, so your runs land in one place. Edge Pro is £22.99 a month, £84.99 every six months or £129.99 a year (about £10.83 a month), after a 7-day free trial that needs a card.

From November, Edge Rewards will add a little extra pull on cold mornings. It is free and will turn your logged workouts and daily steps into points you can spend on real rewards from partner brands, with about a week of training earning something like a free coffee. Founding members from the waitlist get in on Sunday 1 November 2026, and it opens to everyone on Saturday 7 November 2026.

This article is general guidance, not medical advice. If you are new to exercise, returning from injury, or managing a health condition, speak to your GP before starting, and see a physio for any niggle that does not settle.