6 Half Marathons with Serious Bling

Earn serious hardware by completing one of these 13.1-milers, where the bling is king.

BIG VIEWS

Artist Kathleen Kelly designed the ceramic finisher medallion for this year’s Big Sur Half Marathon complete with a leather cord. The out-and-back course offers up epic views of the Pacific Ocean, making this one of the most beautiful 13.1-mile journeys in the United States.
When: 11/16/14
Where: Monterey, CA
bigsurhalfmarathon.org

OFF THE WAGON

Embrace Southern hospitality at the Gulf Coast Half Marathon, just a quick hop from New Orleans, in historic Mandeville. Soak in the drooping mammoth moss over the tall oaks and admire the historic homes along Lakeshore Drive. If a trip to NOLA is on your post-race agenda, wear your medal around town to help you celebrate the city’s lack of open-container laws.
When: 10/19/14
Where: Mandeville, LA
gulfcoasthalf.com

PIRATE INVASION

Honoring the legend of Tampa’s invasion by Spanish pirate Jose Gaspar, the Gasparilla Distance Classic hosts a half-marathon event for all curious sailors and their favorite first mates. After sailing through the flat, fast course, participants don a hefty piece of bling—resembling the skull and bones of Gaspar himself!
When: 2/23/15
Where: Tampa Bay, FL
tampabayrun.com

FARM MILES

Get a moove on at the Cowtown Half Marathon. 2014 marked the debut of the spinning-spur medal—a not-to-miss collector’s item for those half-marathoners who want to add some Western charm to their race repertoire. Feeling extra ambitious? There is a marathon and ultra option available for extra-fiesty cowgirls.
When: 3/1/15
Where: Fort Worth, TX
cowtownmarathon.org

CARPE EDAM

The Badger State produces over 2.6 billion(!) pounds of cheese annually, and there is certainly no shortage of it served up at the Wisconsin Half Marathon. Don your favorite cheesehead attire and revel in the sights of Lake Michigan before receiving your cheesy finisher’s medal. For those who prefer protein and carbs to dairy, there’s free beer and brats at the finish.
When: 5/2/15
Where: Kenosha, WI
wisconsinmarathon.com

TAYLOR SWIFT

Round up your girlfriends for this race through the capital of country. The half marathon covers part of the famed Broadway strip, finishing in front of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Every half-marathon finisher of the Women’s Running Nashville event will be rewarded with a boot-scootin’ medal that includes a removable charm for added flair.
When: 9/27/14
Where: Nashville, TN
womensrunning.com/nashville