Fall in Massachusetts was practically built for a half marathon. The leaves turn, the air gets crisp, and suddenly those long runs you slogged through in July feel like the best part of your week. October and November here give you cool mornings, fast legs, and a post-race coffee that tastes like a reward instead of survival.
There are 13 upcoming half marathons in Massachusetts in this window, which means you have real choices to make — not just "is there a race," but "which one fits me." Here are four worth putting on your calendar now. Registration for fall races tends to move, so if one speaks to you, do not sit on it.
Cambridge Half Marathon + 5K — Saturday, October 31, 2026
Cambridge on Halloween weekend is a whole mood, and the race itself scores 91 out of 100 with our readers — the highest of this bunch. You get city streets, a fall crowd, and the particular thrill of running through a place that normally belongs to cars and students. The 5K option makes it an easy one to share with a friend or family member who is not ready for 13.1 yet.
See the Cambridge Half Marathon + 5K
B.A.A. Half Marathon — Sunday, November 8, 2026
Boston in November, put on by the folks behind the Boston Marathon. That combination tells you most of what you need to know. This one scores 90 out of 100, and for a lot of runners it is the closest they will get to the big-stage feel without lining up in Hopkinton. If you have ever watched Boston on TV and wondered what the fuss is about, this is your low-stakes, high-reward entry point.
Harborside Half Marathon & 5K — Sunday, November 8, 2026
Here is the fun wrinkle: two of these races land on the same day, so you actually have a decision to make. Harborside brings you to Newburyport with a coastal feel and an 87 out of 100 score. It also offers a 5K, which means a partner, a kid, or a curious coworker can toe the line with you and still be done in time for brunch.
See the Harborside Half Marathon & 5K
Newburyport Half Marathon and Relay — Sunday, October 25, 2026
Kicking off the stretch is Newburyport, and the relay option is the detail worth noticing. If 13.1 feels like a lot to take on alone right now, split it with people you like and still get the finish-line moment. It scores 84 out of 100, and October 25 gives you a slightly earlier date if you want your big fall race behind you before November gets busy.
See the Newburyport Half Marathon and Relay
How to Pick
If you want the highest-rated race, go Cambridge. If you want the biggest-name experience, go Boston. If you want water views and a smaller-town feel, Newburyport is calling twice this fall — once for the relay, once for Harborside.
A few practical notes. October 25, October 31, and November 8 are your dates, so check your calendar before you fall in love with one. Two races share November 8, which means you cannot do both — pick the one that matches the day you want to have. And if you are chasing a personal best, late fall in Massachusetts is about as friendly as it gets: cool, dry, and fast.
Whether this is your first half or your fifteenth, there is a Massachusetts race here with your name on it. Bring a layer for the start line, plan something warm for after, and let the season do some of the work for you.
Find Your Massachusetts Race
These four are just the start. There are 13 upcoming half marathons in Massachusetts right now, and the full directory lets you filter by date, city, and what matters to you — so you can find the one that fits your fall instead of the other way around.
Browse all half marathons in Massachusetts
Training is easier with support, and race day is easier when you have already pictured the course. Pick your date, tell a friend, and get the miles on the calendar.