About the Seacoast Half

The Seacoast Half Marathon began in 2005 with just eight local runners (and one race walker) who wanted to give back to our community. On Nov. 12, 2006, our inaugural race raised over $30,000 for the Market Square Steeple Fund to help restore the iconic Portsmouth landmark.

Today, we are proud to remain a 100% volunteer-run event, led by a dedicated team of local runners and community leaders. Together, we organize one of the region’s oldest and most beloved races, all while raising funds for local nonprofits. In a crowded race calendar full of corporate/for-profit races, the Seacoast Half is the only purely local, purely charitable race of its kind.

Each year, the organizing committee selects a new nonprofit beneficiary, ensuring that 100% of the net proceeds go to supporting important local causes. We raise an average of $100,000 yearly, with nearly $2 million donated to worthy organizations over the last two decades.

For us, the Seacoast Half Marathon is more than just a race — it’s a celebration of running along the stunning New Hampshire Seacoast and a heartfelt “thank you” to the community that has supported us.

Since day one, our motto has been: "Caring for the Seacoast, one step at a time." And each year, we continue to live up to that mission. Join us in making a difference. Whether you’re running or volunteering, you’ll be part of something special that supports both your passion for running and the community we love.

Testimonials

🏃🌊🏅 What an incredible experience at the Seacoast Half Marathon! 🌟 We traveled all the way from Ohio to be a part of this amazing event, and it was definitely worth it. 🌎 Not only did we enjoy the race itself, but we were also blown away by the hard work and dedication of the race organizers and volunteers. 👏 Their efforts made the event run smoothly and made us feel welcome. On top of it all, our trip to Portsmouth, NH was absolutely fantastic! 🌸 The charming city and its vibrant atmosphere made our visit unforgettable. 🌞 We explored the beautiful streets, tasted delicious local cuisine, and soaked up the coastal beauty. 🌊 Thank you, Seacoast Half Marathon, for an unforgettable experience and for supporting a great cause! 🙏 We can't wait to come back next year and be a part of this incredible event once again. 🎉 #SeacoastHalfMarathon #CommunitySupport #PortsmouthNH #Grateful #AmazingExperience —John W.

This race should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is in New Hampshire at the end of October, and it is beautiful. Packet pick up was easy (the day before), it started at a school which was easy to find, and the volunteers were friendly and helpful The course was stunning – we ran through woodsy areas that were awash with reddish autumn color, with just enough yellow and orange mixed in, then by the coastline with “long rocky beaches” and beauty right out of the Barry Manilow song, and through New England towns with colonial houses that looked like they were lifted from Revolutionary times. —Ann Z.