‘The roar of the crowds as you run over the Tyne Bridge and the sound of the Red Arrows overhead is guaranteed to give you goosebumps,' says deputy digital editor Jenny Bozon.

The streets of Newcastle, Gateshead and South Shields positively hum with activity and support on race day. With almost 60,000 runners, the Great North Run is the world’s biggest half marathon and is quite simply one of the best mass-participation events on the planet. The course is flat and fast and sells out within hours of entries opening, so speed is required long before you even lace up your shoes The Cardiff Half Marathon has slowly but steadily cemented its status as an elite international event over recent years – it’s now the UK’s third-biggest race and is broadcast live on the BBC. We’ve also included a few further afield races, just in case you happen to find yourself, in say, Vancouver or Lisbon, on one of the weekends listed below and feel like stretching your legs. There are so many brilliant homegrown races here in the UK, we’ve listed our favourites below. This is because, with a goal like a half marathon, it’s crucial to build up your endurance and mileage gradually – otherwise, you’re at greater risk of injury, and no one wants that. Whether this is your first half marathon or your 13th, both our beginner and improver half marathon training plans recommend you take around 12 weeks to properly prepare your body for the distance.

How long does it take to train for a half marathon? Tempted to enter a half marathon in 2023? Keep scrolling for the RW-approved races to enter. Most half marathons tend to take place during the spring or autumn – which either means you’ll be training in the depth of winter or height of summer. Whether you’re an old hand or new to racing, running 13.1 miles is a challenging, yet completely attainable goal for most, and can bring great structure to your training year.

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