Key West · January
Key West Half Marathon
The Key West Half Marathon and Runfest takes over the island every January on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. In 2027 that is January 15 through 17, with the half marathon itself on Sunday morning.
It is one of the flattest half marathons in the country, run entirely at sea level with long stretches along the Atlantic. Runners come for a winter PR attempt and stay for the part where the finish line town is Key West.
Quick Facts
- Race weekend
- January 15 to 17, 2027
- Half marathon
- Sunday, January 17 at 7 a.m.
- Other races
- 5K Saturday 7 a.m., 10K Saturday 8 a.m., 8K Sunday 7:30 a.m.
- Course
- Flat, sea level, loops the island with ocean views most of the way
- Weather
- Usually 60s at the start, 70s by the finish
- Registration
- Open now; registration edits close January 1, 2027
The course
Sea level start, sea level finish, and nothing resembling a hill in between. The route loops the island through Old Town and along the Atlantic side, with miles of open water views. The honest opponent is not elevation, it is the wind coming off the ocean and the humidity that shows up even in January. Train for both and the course gives you everything back.
Race weekend schedule
The Runfest spreads across the whole weekend:
- · Saturday, January 16: 5K at 7 a.m., 10K at 8 a.m.
- · Sunday, January 17: half marathon at 7 a.m., 8K at 7:30 a.m.
- · Also on the weekend: the Hemingway Rum Stroll and the Beach N Beer Mile, for runners who take hydration less seriously
- · Packet pickup times and locations are posted on the race site as the weekend approaches
Tips from sea level
Book your room the day you register. It is MLK weekend on a small island and race hotels sell out early. Get to the start ahead of time because Old Town streets close for the course, and plan to walk or bike to the line rather than drive.
On race morning, go out slower than the flat course tempts you to. The humidity collects its tax in the back half. And when you finish, the reward system is well established: conch fritters, a cold drink and sunset at Mallory Square.
Want more on Key West Half Marathon?
Official details from the organizers, plus Keys Weekly's coverage from the newspaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Key West Half Marathon 2027?
Race weekend is January 15 to 17, 2027. The half marathon starts Sunday, January 17 at 7 a.m., with the 8K at 7:30 a.m. The 5K and 10K run Saturday morning.
Is the Key West Half Marathon flat?
About as flat as a half marathon gets. The whole course sits at sea level with no hills. Wind off the water is the main challenge.
What is the weather like for the race?
January in Key West usually means low 60s at the 7 a.m. start and low-to-mid 70s by late morning, with real humidity. Cold snaps and warm spells both happen, so pack options.
When does registration close?
Register at keywesthalfmarathon.com. The deadline to make changes to an existing registration is January 1, 2027, and the race can sell out before race weekend.
What else happens that weekend?
The Runfest includes a rum stroll and a beer mile, and the island is in full winter season with live music up and down Duval. Make a weekend of it.
More Annual Events in the Keys
Key West · Winter
Mile 0 Fest
A five-day Texas Red Dirt music festival at the end of the road. The 10th anniversary edition lands in early 2027, and badges go fast.
Key West · Late April
Key West Songwriters Festival
Two hundred of the people who actually wrote the hits, playing five days of mostly free shows all over Old Town.
Marathon · March
Marathon Seafood Festival
The Middle Keys fishing fleet cooks its own catch one weekend every March. Five bucks gets you in the gate.
Key West · December 31
Key West New Year's Eve
A drag queen in a giant red high heel, a six-foot conch shell and a pirate wench all drop at midnight. Pick your corner of Duval.