Greensboro Half Marathon
Greensboro Half Marathon offers a fast, certified course ideal for personal bests in a welcoming fall setting.
Race Date
Nov 21, 2026
Location
Greensboro, NC
Quick facts
- Date
- Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Location
- Greensboro, North Carolina
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 13.1 Miles, 5K, 1 Miles
- Course
- Loop Course
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 4,046
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Greensboro Half Marathon, now in its 9th edition, is a beloved fall race in North Carolina, drawing participants from approximately 22 states. With a median field size of around 1,080 finishers, it offers a competitive yet accessible atmosphere. The course is a fast, USATF-certified loop designed for speed, with a minimal ~300 feet of total elevation gain, making it a prime candidate for personal records.
Runners often praise the event for its quality long-sleeved tech shirts and unique finisher medals, especially those completing the North Carolina Road Mega Medal Series. While the field size has seen a trend towards shrinking, approximately 29% of participants return year after year, testament to the race's loyal following and well-organized production, which includes ample volunteer support and easy logistics. The race also partners with A Simple Gesture, contributing to local food security efforts.
Despite some reviews noting the course is more of a "big lap" than truly flat and that it can feel lonely for back-of-the-pack runners in a smaller field, the overall sentiment points to a well-executed event. The cooler November race conditions and the option for economy pricing without a shirt or medal add to its appeal for a wide range of runners.
Race-provided description
Greensboro Half Marathon, 5K & 1 Mile – November 21, 2026 Looking for a beginner-friendly fall half marathon in North Carolina? The Greensboro Half Marathon, 5K, & 1 Mile returns on Saturday, November 21, 2026, with a fast, USA Track & Field certified course that’s perfect for PRs and fall racing goals. Featuring just 300 feet of total elevation gain, this race is designed to be approachable for beginners and exciting for experienced runners chasing speed. As part of the North Carolina Road Mega Medal Series, every distance offers participants the chance to earn a unique finisher medal and be part of one of the state’s most popular medal challenges. Why Runners Love the Greensboro Half Marathon Beginner-friendly & fast: With only 300 feet of elevation gain, this is a great half marathon for first-timers or those chasing a PR.Perfect fall weather: Skip the summer heat—enjoy cooler temps and crisp November race conditions.USA Track & Field certified: Your results count for official records and qualifying purposes for the half marathon and 5 Mile.North Carolina Road Mega Medal Series: Collect this race’s medal as part of the multi-race puzzle series.Quality swag: All participants receive a custom race shirt and a unique finisher medal.Community impact: Proudly partnered with A Simple Gesture, helping fight food insecurity in Greensboro during the Thanksgiving season.Options for all runners: Choose from the Half Marathon, 5K, or 1 Mile distance for a race that fits your goals. Race Details Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026Location: Greensboro, North CarolinaDistances: Half Marathon | 5K | 1 MileCourse: Fast, beginner-friendly, and USATF-certified with just 300 feet of elevation gain.Series: Part of the North Carolina Road Mega Medal Series Only Fools Run Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K in MarchPig Pounder Brewery 5K in AprilElm Street Run Fest in MayGreensboro Distilling Speakeasy 5K in JuneGreensboro Half Marathon, 5K, & 1 Mile in November
Whether you’re running your first race, chasing a new personal best, or joining friends and family for a fun community event, the Greensboro Half Marathon, 5K & 1 Mile is a fall road race you don’t want to miss.
Logistics
Race Day
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Start Time
8:30 AM
Giveaway
Long Sleeved T-Shirt
Start Location
600 Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC, 27401
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Loop Course
Terrain
road
Scenery
Urban
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.0%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
NC21015DF
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Quality Score
Runner Favorite919 years running
~1,080 finishers a year
shrinking
29% returning runners
USATF certified · 5 timing sources
runners from 22 states
winner 1:06:36
typical high 59°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
39°
Afternoon (High)
59°
Ideal racing weather — cool and comfortable
0.1"
Precipitation
10 mph
Wind
64%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 4,046 finishers actually crossed the line across 9 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
4,046
Median time
2:08:12
Latest turnout
541
States
38
Turnout by year
2014–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Greensboro Half Marathon?
The Greensboro Half Marathon is held on Saturday, November 21, 2026, starting at 8:30 AM.
Where does the Greensboro Half Marathon take place?
It takes place in Greensboro, North Carolina.
What distances does the Greensboro Half Marathon offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 13.1 Miles, 5K, 1 Miles.
Is the Greensboro Half Marathon course flat and good for a PR?
The Greensboro Half Marathon is a ultra-flat, loop course course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Greensboro Half Marathon?
HalfRuns has finish records for 4,046 runners who have completed the Greensboro Half Marathon.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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