Best (and Worst) Half Marathons in Europe - Ranking Every Race I Ran in 2023

In 2023 I ran a half marathon every single month in a new country. These are my final rankings on those 12 races.
Not every half marathon is created equally, and these races are some of the best and worst half marathons that you can find in Europe.
It is true that every race I ran in 2023 had some positives and negatives, but overall there were clear winners and losers.
I think of these rankings as a scale. Numbers 12 and 11 at the very end. Numbers 10 through 6 grouped close to the middle. 6 through 3 are near the front. And then 1 and 2 split the scale in two separate directions. One is the most fun race, and one is the most beautiful race.
00:00 Introduction
00:09 Number 12 - Funchal Half Marathon
00:46 Number 11 - Copenhagen Half Marathon
02:55 Number 10 - Brussels Half Marathon
04:03 Number 9 - Clontarf Half Marathon
05:20 Number 8 - Budapest Spring Half Marathon
05:46 Number 7 - Malaga Half Marathon
06:30 Number 6 - Blankeneser Heldenlauf
07:41 Number 5 - Edinburgh Half Marathon
09:06 Number 4 - CPC Loop Den Haag Half Marathon
10:10 Number 3 - Romeo and Juliet Half Marathon
11:29 Number 2 - Beaujolais International Half Marathon
12:15 Number 1 - Midnight Sun Half Marathon
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✅ Race Reviews:
Funchal Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/02/...
Copenhagen Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/11/...
Brussels Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/12/...
Clontarf Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/11/...
Budapest Spring Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/08/...
Malaga Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2024/01/...
Blankeneser Heldenlauf - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/11/...
Edinburgh Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/09/...
CPC Loop Den Haag Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/08/...
Romeo and Juliet Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/04/...
Beaujolais International Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/12/...
Midnight Sun Half Marathon - jetsettingrunner.com/2023/11/...
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[@lenkaontherun]

Wow, so many unique locations for a half marathon! I ran Prague Half Marathon and besides some little organisational hickups (same as Copenhagen, like you said Sadie!), I found it magical. And I live here, so I didn't see anything new, but it was just so cool to experience the city this way.

[@elenamerelo8072]

I run my first half marathon in april (Bergen City Marathon, Norway) and I'm hooked!! Not that long after I joined the Bilbao one, in October, looking forward to it! And running and traveling more :D especially The Midnight Sun one I want to do, probably will do it next year!
This video was so useful and fun, and your blog is great! Keep up the good work , cheer for you! The fb group is an amazing initiative too, so cool!

[@fiachramacaodha1260]

Had the same experience at Clontarf in 2023, it was also one of the hottest days of the year. Heat and strong wind in face with no shade was hellish, bodies dropping everywhere the last few Km. View was also pretty boring. Been searching for some continental half marathons to do so thanks for your great guide!

[@jetsetting_runner]

Honestly, I avoid any race that is out and back along the water because I get so bored after the first 5km. But I'm glad this guide is helpful!

[@timoruns]

Thank you for the tips! I would also recommend you to run the Barcelona Half marathon next year! Such a beautiful race!

[@jetsetting_runner]

I'm definitely adding it to my list! Barcelona is such an amazing city.

[@Q8Physio]

LOVE THIS REVIEW 👌

[@jetsetting_runner]

Thank you!

[@stevenlennie]

Great reviews, only one I’ve done here is Edinburgh but will be doing Copenhagen and Budapest.

[@jetsetting_runner]

Fingers crossed Copenhagen can figure things out this year, I have heard that they have solutions to all of the issues that arose last year.
And Budapest will be amazing! The views of Parliament are stunning, just drink lots of water!

[@lizakosareva5851]

When you become extremely famous from this please remember I was the first like and comment on your first video. Loved it btw!!!

[@jetsetting_runner]

Thank you! Launching this channel has been my goal for a long time, but I kept putting it off, never feeling ready.