Texas in late fall and winter is a runner's sweet spot. The summer furnace has finally let go, mornings come in crisp, and race day no longer means negotiating with triple-digit heat. It's the stretch of the year when training feels less like survival and more like a good habit — and when the state's race calendar gets busy in the best way.
There are 14 upcoming half marathons in Texas across November 2026 through January 2027. Whether this is your first 13.1 or one of many, here are four worth circling now — because the good ones fill, and the holidays have a way of sneaking up on your training plan.
Cypress Half Marathon & 5K presented by Houston Methodist
Sunday, November 8, 2026 — Cypress, Texas
This is your earliest chance to line up in this window, and it's a friendly one. The Houston-area race pairs a half with a 5K, so it works as a family-or-friends outing — someone can chase 13.1 while someone else takes the shorter route. November in Cypress means cooler air than the summer races, and a quality score of 77 makes it a solid pick to start the season.
La Porte By the Bay Half Marathon
Sunday, November 15, 2026 — La Porte, Texas
A week later, the action shifts toward the coast. La Porte sits by the bay, and a waterfront-adjacent course has a way of making the miles go by a little easier. With a score of 79, it lands in Solid Pick territory — a dependable race with a little scenery built in. If you like a Sunday race and a reason to explore a new corner of the state, put this one on the list.
Pumpkin Spice Half Marathon
Saturday, November 21, 2026 — Fort Worth, Texas
Yes, the name earns its keep. This one leans into the season, and a Saturday race in Fort Worth gives you the rest of the weekend to recover and wander. A score of 82 puts it in Runner Favorite range — the kind of race people come back to. Late November in North Texas is usually kind to runners, and a themed race is a fun way to mark the end of fall training.
Too Cold To Hold Half Marathon
Saturday, January 30, 2027 — Dallas, Texas
The headline act of this window, and the highest-rated of the bunch at 92 — a true Runner Favorite. The name is a dare, and Dallas in late January is the perfect place to answer it. A Saturday race in the city means a proper weekend trip, a finish-line celebration, and a strong start to your 2027 racing story. If you're the type who needs a goal to get through the winter, this is it.
How to pick your Texas half
Start with the calendar. If you want to race soon, Cypress and La Porte come first. If you want a fall send-off, Pumpkin Spice fits. And if you want a winter goal to train toward, Too Cold To Hold is waiting in Dallas. From your first 13.1 to your fiftieth state, there's a race here for every stage of the journey.
Registration for popular races tends to tighten as race day approaches, so don't sit on a decision too long. Pick one, put it on the calendar, and let the training begin.
Ready to see the full slate? Browse half marathons in Texas to find every upcoming race in the state — dates, cities, and the details you need to plan your next adventure.