Virginia in late fall is the kind of running season people plan whole trips around. The summer humidity has finally let go, the trees are doing their thing, and race morning air feels like a reward instead of a punishment. There's a reason so many runners circle November and December on the calendar here — you get crisp starts, fast-feeling legs, and a finish line you actually want to hang around at afterward.
Right now there are 11 upcoming half marathons in Virginia in this window. Four of them stand out as worth building a weekend around. Here's what's coming, and why each one earns a look.
Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon
Saturday, November 21, 2026 — Norfolk, Virginia
A waterfront race in late November is a gift. Norfolk's harbor course pairs the kind of flat, forgiving miles that make you feel fast with a city backdrop that keeps your eyes busy when your legs start negotiating. It's a Runner Favorite with a score of 91 out of 100, and it lands on the same day as Star City — so if you're picking a November race, this is one half of a very good dilemma. Come for the course, stay for the waterfront and the post-race wander.
See the Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon details
Star City Half Marathon & 10K
Saturday, November 21, 2026 — Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke in the fall is Blue Ridge country at its best, and the Star City Half gives you a reason to see it on foot. With a score of 81 out of 100, it's a Standout Pick that draws runners who want a little mountain-town charm with their 13.1. If you've been looking for a race that feels like a small getaway rather than just a Saturday morning, this is a strong candidate. Same race day as Norfolk Harbor, so plan accordingly — you can only be in one place, but either one is a good place to be.
See the Star City Half Marathon & 10K details
Allianz Richmond Marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, & Capital One Richmond 8k
Saturday, November 14, 2026 — Richmond, Virginia
Richmond's race weekend is one of those Virginia traditions that pulls people in from all over. The CarMax Richmond Half Marathon shares the day with the full marathon and the 8K, which means big-race energy, plenty of company on the course, and a city that shows up to cheer. It's a Solid Pick at 80 out of 100, and it's the earliest of the four on this list — so if you want your fall half wrapped up before Thanksgiving, this is your move.
See the Richmond race weekend details
Fredericksburg Blue and Gray Half Marathon
Sunday, December 6, 2026 — Fredericksburg, Virginia
December racing is its own kind of fun — fewer crowds, cooler air, and a finish line that feels earned. The Fredericksburg Blue and Gray Half Marathon is a Solid Pick at 80 out of 100, and it gives you a reason to keep your training sharp through the holiday season instead of letting it drift. A Sunday race in a historic Virginia town is a nice way to close out the year's racing calendar. Bonus: you get to spend December telling people you're in half marathon shape.
See the Fredericksburg Blue and Gray Half Marathon details
How to Pick Your Virginia Half
If you want the biggest race-day atmosphere, Richmond on November 14 is your pick. If you want a waterfront course and a late-November date, Norfolk Harbor on November 21 is calling. If a mountain-town weekend sounds better than a big-city one, Star City shares that same November 21 date. And if you'd rather stretch your season into December, Fredericksburg on December 6 keeps the momentum going.
Whichever you choose, the smart move right now is to register early — fall and early-winter Virginia races fill up, and locking in a date is the single best way to make sure your training actually happens. Pick the race, tell a friend, put it on the calendar.
Ready to see everything else on the Virginia calendar? Head to our full directory of half marathons in Virginia to browse all 11 upcoming races in this window and find the one that fits your season.
From your first 13.1 to your fiftieth state, we're in it with you. See you at the start line.