New York in late fall and winter is a running season hiding in plain sight. The summer crowds thin out, the race calendar stays busy, and there is something genuinely satisfying about logging 13.1 miles while the rest of the neighborhood is still deciding whether to get out of bed. There are 12 upcoming half marathons in New York in this window alone, which means you have real choices — a small-town Halloween weekend, a fast late-November morning, a big-city December race, and a New Year's Day start that doubles as the best resolution you will ever keep.
If you have been waiting for a reason to pick your next race, this is it. Registration windows for fall and winter events close earlier than you think, and the races below are worth circling now.
EVL Halloween Half Marathon, 5k, Half Marathon Relay
Saturday, October 24, 2026 — Ellicottville, New York
Ellicottville knows how to throw a party, and this one happens to come with a half marathon attached. The EVL Halloween weekend is the kind of race where the costume decisions are half the fun and the small-town setting does the rest. It is a Runner Favorite in our book, and October in western New York is about as good as running weather gets — cool mornings, turning leaves, and a finish line that feels like a town-wide celebration. If you want your fall race to feel like an event rather than just a morning, start here.
See the EVL Halloween Half Marathon details
Pelham Half Marathon and 10K
Saturday, November 28, 2026 — Pelham, New York
Thanksgiving weekend has a way of making people want to move. The Pelham Half Marathon and 10K lands on the Saturday after the holiday, which is excellent timing if you would rather earn your leftovers than nap through them. Pelham is a Westchester County community just north of the city, and this race has the feel of a well-run local event — friendly, manageable, and a solid Standout pick for anyone chasing a late-season goal. Bring a friend doing the 10K and make a morning of it.
See the Pelham Half Marathon and 10K details
NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon
Sunday, December 13, 2026 — New York, New York
December in New York City is a whole mood, and running a half marathon through it is a very specific kind of magic. The NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon gives you a winter city race without the chaos of the biggest event weekends — and NYCRUNS races are known for being welcoming to runners of every pace. It is a Standout pick and a great choice if you want a December goal to keep your training honest through the holidays. Cold-weather racing builds character. It also builds a great story.
See the NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon details
Sri Chinmoy New Year's Day Half-Marathon
Friday, January 1, 2027 — New York, New York
Starting a new year with 13.1 miles is a flex that lasts all twelve months. The Sri Chinmoy New Year's Day Half-Marathon is a Solid Pick and a genuinely memorable way to open 2027 — no resolutions to break, just a finish line to cross before most people have finished their coffee. It is a smaller, community-minded race, which makes it a lovely fit for first-timers who want a low-key atmosphere and a date they will never forget. Sign up early; New Year's Day plans fill fast.
See the Sri Chinmoy New Year's Day Half-Marathon details
Pick Your New York Race
Four races, four very different vibes — a Halloween town takeover, a Thanksgiving-weekend local favorite, a December city run, and a New Year's Day start. Whichever one fits your calendar, the training is the same and the support is here for it. Whether this is your first half or one of many, New York has a start line with your name on it this season.
Browse the full half marathons in New York directory to see all 12 upcoming races, compare dates, and find the one that fits you. Then go register — the good ones do not wait.