Alabama in the fall is a gift to runners. The brutal summer humidity finally loosens its grip, race-day mornings come with a little bite in the air, and suddenly those long runs you were slogging through in August feel like something you actually want to do. If you have been circling a half marathon on your calendar and waiting for the right season to commit, this is it.
There are six upcoming half marathons in Alabama in this October–November window, and the four below are the ones worth planning your fall around. Whether this is your first 13.1 or one of many, here is where Alabama is putting on a race this season — and why each one is worth a look.
Helping Hands Half Marathon / 5K — Muscle Shoals
Saturday, October 24, 2026
First up on the calendar, and a great way to kick off your fall racing while the leaves are still turning. Muscle Shoals sits in the northwest corner of the state along the Tennessee River, and a late-October race here means you are running in some of the best weather Alabama offers all year. It is also the earliest date on this list, which matters if you are building toward a bigger goal later in the season and want a race to sharpen up on. If your training block started back in the summer heat, this is your reward.
Huntsville Half Marathon — Huntsville
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Huntsville has quietly become one of the most interesting cities in the South, and a mid-November half here lands you right in the sweet spot of fall. This is the highest-rated race on our list, and it earns that with the kind of well-organized, runner-friendly experience that makes a half marathon feel less like a test and more like a morning you actually enjoy. It is a strong pick for a first-timer who wants a supportive, well-run event — and just as good for a veteran chasing a fall PR while the temperatures cooperate.
City of Champions Half Marathon 10k/5k — Gadsden
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Gadsden sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Alabama, and a late-November race here gives you a taste of that terrain without asking you to summit anything. The weekend also offers a 10K and 5K, which makes it an easy one to bring a friend or family member along — they can run the shorter distance while you take on the half. If you like your fall racing with a little small-town character and a course that keeps things interesting, this one is worth the trip.
Coastal Half Marathon, 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run — Orange Beach
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Closing out the season in style. Orange Beach puts you on the Gulf Coast the weekend after Thanksgiving, which is either the best or most ambitious timing decision you will make all year — and we are here for it. A coastal course in late November means mild temperatures and water views, plus a 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run that turn race weekend into something the whole crew can enjoy. If you have been looking for a reason to combine a half marathon with a beach weekend, this is the one on the list that does it.
How to Pick Your Alabama Half
If you are new to the distance, start with the date that gives your training the most room. A late-October race means you are already deep into your build; a late-November race buys you a few more weeks to get comfortable with the mileage. Either way, the fall calendar in Alabama is forgiving — cooler mornings, softer sun, and race-day conditions that let you focus on the run instead of the heat.
And if you are chasing a longer-term goal, Alabama is a genuinely fun state to check off. Four solid races in one season, spread from the northwest corner to the Gulf Coast, is the kind of variety that keeps the journey interesting year after year.
Find Your Alabama Half Marathon
Ready to pick your race? Browse every upcoming half marathon in Alabama, compare dates and cities, and find the one that fits your fall.
See all half marathons in Alabama
From your first 13.1 to your fiftieth state, we are in it with you.