If you are looking for a fall half marathon that feels like a hometown race and runs like a fast one, circle Sunday, October 25, 2026 on your calendar now. The Seacoast Half Marathon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire is one of the longest-running half marathons on the New Hampshire coast, and it earns a 94 out of 100 in our race guide — a Runner Favorite by any measure. It is flat, it is USATF certified, and it is the kind of race that makes you want to bring a friend.
The Course: Flat, Fast, and Point-to-Point
The Seacoast Half Marathon is a road race on a flat, point-to-point course. That combination is a gift for anyone chasing a personal best. Flat means you can settle into a rhythm early and hold it. Point-to-point means you are always moving toward something — no loops, no retracing your steps, no mental math about how many miles are left on the second lap. You just run.
Because the course is USATF certified, you can trust the distance. That matters if this is your first half and you want the satisfaction of knowing you ran a true 13.1, or if you are a veteran chasing a time you can actually use for seeding in a future race. Certification is the quiet detail that separates a fun morning from a legitimate result.
Road terrain also means the surface is predictable. You are not dodging roots or guessing at footing. You can wear the shoes you have been training in, line up, and let the miles come to you.
The Experience: A Coastal New Hampshire Morning With a Feel-Good Finish
Portsmouth is a small city with a big personality — a walkable downtown, a working waterfront, and a running community that shows up. The Seacoast Half Marathon has been part of that scene for two decades, which tells you something important: this race has staying power. Races do not last twenty years by accident. They last because runners come back, and because the people putting them on care about the experience.
This is also a race with a purpose. Each year the event partners with a local nonprofit, and runners have the option to fundraise or donate when they register. If you have ever wanted your miles to mean something beyond your own finish line, this is a natural fit. You can set up a fundraising page, invite family and friends to chip in, and turn a Sunday morning race into something your neighbors actually feel.
The atmosphere on race morning tends to be warm and low-key in the best way. It is the kind of race where you will see first-timers with nervous smiles, local club runners catching up, and a lot of people who have made this an annual tradition. That mix is what makes a race feel like a community instead of just a course.
Who This Race Fits
If this is your first half marathon
A flat, certified, point-to-point road course is about as friendly as a first half gets. There is no elevation to manage, no technical terrain, and no confusion about the distance. You can focus on pacing, hydration, and the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. The fall date also gives you a full training cycle to prepare — if you start now, you have months to build, not weeks to scramble.
If you are chasing a PR
Flat and fast is the whole story here. A point-to-point course with a certified distance and a cool-weather race day is a recipe for a personal best. If you have a time goal in mind, this is a smart race to target. The course will not fight you. The only variable is you.
If you are working on the 50-state journey
New Hampshire is a beautiful state to check off, and Portsmouth is an easy place to build a weekend around. You get a coastal New England town, a well-established race, and a finish line that feels earned. For 50-state chasers, this is the kind of race that makes the map feel less like a checklist and more like a story.
Logistics and Weather
The Seacoast Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 25, 2026 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Typical race-day weather is about as good as it gets for running: a high near 61°F and a low around 45°F. That is short-sleeve or light-layer territory, cool enough to keep you from overheating and warm enough that you are not shivering at the start.
Because this is an upcoming race, the smart move is to register early. Fall half marathons in New England fill up, and having your entry locked in gives you a real training target instead of a vague intention. Book your stay in or near Portsmouth if you are traveling in, and plan to spend a little time in town — it is worth it.
Ready to Run It?
Whether this is your first half or one of many, the Seacoast Half Marathon is a race worth planning your fall around. Flat course, certified distance, coastal New Hampshire, and a community that has been doing this for two decades. Mark the date, start your training, and get your name on the start line.
See the full Seacoast Half Marathon race page for details and to make it official.