Welcome to our new monthly guide to top upcoming races! Here we highlight a sampling of “best bets” as well as some of our team’s personal favorites.
For a more comprehensive list of April/May road & trail races—and to exclude canceled races from your search—check out our Find a Race page!
Please note: Scheduling remains highly fluid, and many popular April/May races have yet to open registration. The following list includes only events that are now taking registrations for an in-person race and which, based on current information, are likely to take place. There are, however, no guarantees.
(* indicates race was held in 2020)
April & May Marathons
Carmel Marathon Weekend*
Apr 3; Carmel, IN
Marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 10K, 5K
Flat and friendly with Midwestern hospitality to spare
Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon
Apr 17; Roanoke, VA
Double marathon, marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 10K
“America’s Toughest Road Marathon” brings the charm
Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz
Apr 17; Olathe, KS
Marathon, half marathon, 10K
Voted our best marathon in Kansas, and we’re not “lion”
Gettysburg Festival of Races*
Apr 25; Gettysburg, PA
Marathon, half marathon, 5K
Run thru history alongside a hallowed Civil War battlefield
Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon
May 2; Canton, OH
Marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 5K
Kick off your 2021 marathon season in Northeast Ohio
Windermere Marathon*
May 16; Spokane, WA
Marathon, half marathon, 5K
Flat & scenic WA choice for 50 Staters & traveling runners
Thelma & Louise Marathon
May 22; Moab, UT
Marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 15K
Women’s-only trail race showcases Moab’s stunning red rocks
Coeur d’Alene Marathon*
May 30; Coeur d’Alene, ID
Marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K
Pristine pleasure voted best marathon & best half marathon in Idaho
April & May Half Marathons
The Split*
Apr 18; Spokane, WA
Half marathon, 10K, 5K
Pacific Northwest scenery along the Spokane River
The Cowtown*
May 8; Fort Worth, TX
Half marathon, half marathon relay, 10K, 5K
North TX favorite voted America’s Rave Race for 2020
Yosemite Half
May 8; Oakhurst CA
Half marathon
Speedy downhill course thru the Sierra National Forest
April & May Ultra Marathons
Brazos Bend 50
Apr 3; Needville, TX
100K, 50 miles, 50K, 25K, 10K, 5K
Flat, forgiving course great for first-time ultramarathoners
Canyons Endurance Runs
Apr 24; Foresthill, CA
100K, 25K
Run the iconic Western States trail (full refund policy for cancellation)
Strolling Jim*
May 1; Wartrace, TN
40 miles, marathon, half marathon, 10K
Picturesque route in the heart of Tennessee horse country
KEYS 100
May 15; Key West, FL—registration opens Jan 6
100 miles, 100-mile relay, 50 miles, 50-mile relay, 50K
Atlantic Ocean to the left of me, Gulf of Mexico to the right
Bryce Canyon Ultras*
May 29; Hatch, UT
100 miles, 50 miles, 60K, 50K, 30K
Hoodoos + high elevation = an unforgettable challenge
Looking for more running events? Search for races by state/city or month, and try our handy Find a Race tool to search for events by name, date range, distance, location, terrain & more. Then sign up for a free account to build your wish list and start coloring in your 50 States Map!
Author: Mike Sohaskey
Mike Sohaskey is the co-founder of RaceRaves, the premier online reviews community for runners to share their race experiences and find their next challenge. Mike honed his creative and critical thinking skills as a research scientist, earning a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Stanford. He’s also completed over 100 races — including 50+ marathons and ultras — in locations ranging from Antarctica to Zimbabwe.
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And for more helpful articles, check out our blog!
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