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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/run-half-marathon-distance

About how far is a half marathon?

About 13.1 miles (21.1 kilometers).

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  1. About 10 miles
  2. About 13.1 miles ✔
  3. About 15 miles

Why: A half marathon is half of 42.195 kilometers, or about 21.1 kilometers. Since a mile is about 1.609 kilometers, that works out to about 13.1 miles.

Huh, didn't know that: World Athletics lists the half marathon as a standard road race distance, along with the road mile, 5 km and 10 km.

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Why did the runner only do half the marathon? He was half asleep at the start.
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References

Answer: About 13.1 miles. A half marathon is half of 42.195 kilometers, or about 21.1 kilometers. Since a mile is about 1.609 kilometers, that works out to about 13.1 miles.

  1. World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=e7faf2e8-0385-4686-bbd0-acdb5d958e8f.pdf&urlslug=Competition+and+Technical+Rules+%E2%80%93+2026+Edition
    The standard distances shall be: Road Mile (1609.344m), 5km, 10km, 15km, 10 Miles, 20km, Half-Marathon, 25km, 30km, Marathon (42.195km), 50km, 100km and Road Relay.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.9 conversion factors www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811/nist-guide-si-appendix-b-conversion-factors/nist-guide-si-appendix-b9
    mile (mi) kilometer (km) 1.609 344 E+00
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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