Half-Marathon Running Quotes

Marathon runners running on urban street
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Running a half-marathon takes a lot of commitment, motivation, and sacrifice. You can use running quotes to help you stay motivated during your training or celebrate your achievement after you’ve crossed the finish line.

21 Best Half Marathon Quotes

While it's half the distance of a marathon, the 13.1 miles of a half-marathon is an endurance event that most people will never attempt. You will need mental as well as physical stamina to see you through from the starting gun to the medal awaiting you at the finish line.

Quotes from Accomplished Runners

Jeff Galloway, Former Olympian, Coach, and Writer

"The half marathon gives you almost all of the satisfaction and achievement of the marathon and far less than half of the aches and pain and fatigue."

Paula Radcliffe, Women’s Marathon World Record Holder

"A half marathon is a good way to have a bit of fun and race against those girls and learn a bit more about them."

Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Chief Running Officer

"The half marathon has a niche of serious respectability. It’s viewed as a real challenge on its own, so runners are more likely to feel content tackling it instead of the full marathon."

Jerry Lynch, Sports Psychologist

"Concentrate on small segments of your race at a time. For example, rather than obsessing about the distance that remains, simply complete the next mile in good form...try another, then another, until the race is done."

Desiree Davila, U.S. Olympic Marathoner

"Be confident in the work you did to prepare for the race. Take a look back at your training logs to remind yourself that you've done everything possible to prepare. The race is the fun part where you get to see the hard work pay off. Enjoy it."

Running Quotes in the Media

13.1 Marathon Series Slogan

"13.1 miles: It isn't half of anything."

Gatorade Ad

"There is a moment in every race. A moment where you can either quit, fold, or say to yourself, 'I can do this.'"

Some Ecards

"I'm training for awesomeness. I mean I am training for a half marathon. Same thing, really."

"Let's run 13.1 miles around Disney World because no trip to Disney World is complete until someone cries."

Running Quotes from Runners and Spectators

Anonymous

"One day I won't be able to do this. Today is not that day."

"It doesn't matter what happens between the starting line and the finish line. All that matters is that you cross both."

"All it takes is all you’ve got!"

Spectator Signs Seen at a Half Marathon

"On a scale of 1 to 10, you're a 13.1!"

"Stop saying 'It's just a half.' A half marathon is: 13.1 miles; 23,056 yards; 69,168 feet; 830,016 inches; Amazing!"

"13.1. It's not 'just a half." It's an accomplishment."

"Most people won’t drive 13.1 miles today!"

"Run! 50% off gear if you make it under 2 hours!"

"You made it to the START, you will make it to the FINISH." 


Seen on Half-Marathoner T-Shirts

"I'm not running half of something. I'm crushing the whole 13.1."

"Any idiot can run, but it takes a special kind of idiot to run a half marathon."

"Never underestimate the strength of a woman. Never mess with a woman who runs 13.1 miles for fun."

By Christine Luff, ACE-CPT
Christine Many Luff is a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and Road Runners Club of America Certified Coach.