A runner's complete guide to finding your next marathon, half marathon, ultra, 5K or other race

By Henry Howard

Whether you're training for your first 5K or planning your next ultra-marathon adventure, finding the right race can feel overwhelming. With thousands of events happening across the country — and more overseas — each year, where do you even start? The good news is that several excellent websites have made searching for and registering for races easier than ever.

Here is an overview of a dozen top race listings by category to help you discover your next challenge, from quick 5Ks to epic ultra marathons.

Comprehensive

Running in the USA

• Link: https://runningintheusa.com/

• About: This comprehensive directory bills itself as the largest online collection of races and clubs in America.

• What it offers: Running in the USA provides searchable databases organized by distance, including dedicated sections for half marathons, marathons, ultras and more. Races can be filtered by month, making it easy to plan your racing calendar throughout the year. The site also includes information about Boston Marathon qualifying races, races with challenges, triathlons, and duathlons. Additional features include a directory of running clubs to help runners connect with their local community.

• Background: Running in the USA has grown into one of the most comprehensive race directories available, serving as a one-stop shop for runners looking for events of any distance. The platform is particularly strong for runners seeking local events and wanting to connect with the broader running community in their area.

Active.com

• Link: https://www.active.com/

• About: Active.com is one of the oldest and most established race registration platforms, serving millions of runners annually.

• What it offers: Active.com provides a massive searchable database covering 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, marathons, triathlons, cycling events, and more. The platform includes training plans, articles, product reviews, and calculators for pace, body mass index, and caloric needs. Runners can register directly through the platform, view race results, and access a mobile app for on-the-go registration and race discovery. The site also features charitable races and allows filtering by activity type, location, and date.

• Background: Active.com has been a leader in the endurance event space for many years. While it charges registration fees (typically around 8-9% plus a base fee), it offers powerful advertising tools for race directors and has one of the largest participant databases in the industry. The platform integrates with various timing companies and offers runners the convenience of storing all their race registrations in one account. Some users note that the platform's marketing strength means races listed here often get significant exposure.

RunSignup

• Link: https://runsignup.com/

• About: RunSignup has rapidly grown to become one of the largest race registration platforms in North America.

• What it offers: RunSignup provides free race registration setup for race directors, with features including customizable registration forms, free race websites, email marketing tools, fundraising capabilities, and RaceDay CheckIn apps. For runners, it offers a searchable race calendar spanning all distances from 5Ks to ultras, with mobile-friendly registration, saved profile information for quick signup, and integration with over 2,500 US-based event calendars. The platform charges participants 8.1% of the registration fee (minimum $2.99), which is generally lower than many competitors.

• Background: Founded with a mission to make race management accessible and affordable, RunSignup has attracted thousands of races by offering comprehensive tools at competitive prices. The platform is particularly strong in supporting community races, charitable events, and smaller local runs. Race directors appreciate the free setup, robust reporting features, and excellent customer service. The system integrates seamlessly with timing software and includes modern features like an AI chatbot to reduce participant support questions by up to 80%.

RunGuides

• Link: www.runguides.com 

• About:  Not as well known as some of the other sites for marathons, but offers a solid mix of options.

• What it offers: RunGuides lists running events in North America, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Runners can sort by month, or, if they have a specific distance in mind, use the distance filter to display select distances only. One thing I really like about this site is that you can click on a state or city to begin to narrow your search. Additionally, runners can search a list of local running clubs to learn about options in their community.

• Background: Based in Vancouver, Canada, RunGuides Media launched the site in January 2013. It has grown to serve millions of runners each year.

Marathons

MarathonGuide

• Link: https://www.marathonguide.com/

• About: For over two decades, MarathonGuide has been the trusted resource for marathon runners worldwide.

• What it offers: MarathonGuide provides an extensive marathon calendar covering U.S., Canadian and international races. The site includes past results, runner reviews, race news and press releases. Runners can read detailed comments from past participants, view elevation profiles, and access training tools including pace calculators, result predictors, and pace wristband creators. The platform also tracks Boston Marathon qualifying races and provides comprehensive race statistics.

• Background: With over 20,000 daily visitors, MarathonGuide has established itself as the site where marathoners begin their race search. Many race organizers report that more website traffic comes from MarathonGuide links than from any other source. The platform offers free resources including multiple training calculators, newsletter subscriptions with training advice, and a verified accounts system for race directors.

  
  

FindMyMarathon

• Link: https://findmymarathon.com/

• About: This specialized site takes marathon searching to the next level with detailed analytics and comparison tools.

• What it offers: FindMyMarathon offers course elevation profiles, race details, and course-specific pace bands (both free digital versions and purchasable waterproof snap-on bands). The site features PR Scores and Course Scores for over 500 marathons to help runners determine which races give them the best chance to set a personal record or qualify for the Boston Marathon. Advanced search tools allow filtering by location, state/province, or keywords. Side-by-side race comparison tools help runners evaluate multiple events simultaneously.

• Background: FindMyMarathon was created by runners who understand that not all marathon courses are created equal. The analytical approach helps data-driven runners make informed decisions about which races best suit their goals

  
  

Half Marathons

• Link: https://www.halfmarathons.net/

• About: While many other sites on this list all incorporate half marathons into their databases, this site is dedicated to the 13.1-mile event.

• What it offers: Those interested in half marathons can search their state of choice by month and by city or within a certain geographic distance. Runners can dive deeper into the options by selecting road or trail, scenery, difficulty level and more. For each race, you’ll find the history of the half marathon and the course, the most recent year’s course maps, elevation profiles, runner reviews, pricing, and how to sign up.

• Background: Started in 2006 by Atlanta-based journalist Terrell Johnson, HalfMarathons.net was one of the first online directories for races. The site was on a mission to create the most comprehensive online resource for runners to discover local and exciting half marathons across the United States. Today, the race database has grown to encompass thousands of races in the U.S. and worldwide. The site also provides free training plans to get you race ready and advice to keep you moving as obstacles pop up along your training journey. 

  
  

Ultra Marathons

UltraSignup

• Link: https://ultrasignup.com/

• About: When it comes to ultra races, UltraSignup stands head and shoulders above the rest. Founded specifically to serve the ultra running community, this platform has become the go-to resource for races of 50K and beyond.

• What it offers: UltraSignup provides comprehensive registration services for ultra marathons across North America and beyond, with a particular focus on trail running events. The platform offers race directors affordable tools including timing alternatives for smaller races that can't afford chip timing, along with result uploading and participant management features. For runners, it provides a searchable database of ultras with detailed race information, automatic email notifications about races in your area, and a complete history of your ultra running results.

• Background: UltraSignup has built a reputation for exceptional customer service, with race directors praising their around-the-clock support and user-friendly interface. The platform bridges the unique needs of ultra race organization with the specific requirements of ultra runners, who need detailed information about cutoffs, elevation gain, aid stations, crew access, and navigation.

UltraRunning Magazine Calendar

• Link: https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/

• About: For a comprehensive view of what's happening in the ultra world, the UltraRunning Magazine calendar is an invaluable resource.

• What it offers: This calendar features trail races and road ultras throughout North America, with filters for different distances. The site includes historical data showing average finisher numbers over the past five years, helping runners gauge race size and popularity. As part of UltraRunning Magazine's website, it also provides race reports, results, and editorial content about the ultra running community.

• Background: UltraRunning Magazine has been the voice of the ultra community for decades, and their race calendar reflects that deep expertise and connection to the sport. The publication features six issues per year packed with race reports, finisher results, tips, and runner profiles.

American Trail Running Association (ATRA)

• Link: https://trailrunner.com/race-calendar/

• About: ATRA has maintained the oldest and largest trail race-only calendar on the web.

• What it offers: The ATRA calendar features over 9,000 trail running and ultra races from 5K to ultra distances across the country and internationally. Races meeting ATRA's Event Standards Program requirements are specially marked, providing runners assurance about safety and organization quality. The site identifies ATRA race members and youth-appropriate events. Individual ATRA membership includes a quarterly Trail Times newsletter, exclusive drawings for free race entries, and access to a monthly e-newsletter.

• Background: Founded in 1996 as a Colorado non-profit, the American Trail Running Association was created specifically to serve the mountain, ultra and trail running community. The organization's mission encompasses promoting safe and sustainable trail running, encouraging trail conservation, and advocating for trail access. ATRA partners with race insurance providers and publishes educational content about running responsibly on trails. The organization has built strong credibility in the trail running community through its Event Standards Program, which provides guidelines for race directors and educational resources for participants about trail safety and environmental awareness.

  
  

Others

Race Roster

• Link: https://raceroster.com/

• About: This comprehensive platform owned by ASICS serves events of all sizes and distances.

• What it offers: Race Roster provides end-to-end event management including registration, fundraising tools, virtual event capabilities, in-person check-in apps, and results management. The platform integrates with Salesforce for advanced marketing campaigns and offers both in-person and virtual event solutions. Features include comprehensive participant management, real-time results display, photo integration, and fundraising tools for charity events.

• Background: Race Roster has grown from a Canadian startup to the second-largest registration provider in the US, with recent acquisition by running shoe brand ASICS strengthening its position in the endurance event space. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, strong customer support, and comprehensive feature set that serves events from small community 5Ks to major multi-day endurance challenges.

  
  

Athlinks

• Link: https://www.athlinks.com/

• About: While primarily known as a results database, Athlinks also functions as a race discovery tool.

• What it offers: Athlinks maintains what it claims is the most comprehensive database of endurance race results anywhere in the world, covering running, triathlon, swimming, cycling, mountain biking and adventure racing. Runners can search for races, claim their results, track personal records and build a complete race history. The "rivals" feature lets you compare yourself to athletes with similar results, while the social networking aspect allows you to follow friends and see what races they're entering. Live results integration provides real-time updates during events.

• Background: Founded as a social networking site for competitive endurance athletes, Athlinks was acquired by ChronoTrack in 2013. The platform serves as both a results database and a community hub where runners can connect with competitors, track personal progress and discover new events through their social network. The system automatically finds and matches race results to user profiles, creating a comprehensive racing resume over time.

  
  

Tips for using these resources

Cast a wide net: Don't rely on just one site. Different races list on different platforms, and smaller local races might only appear on regional sites.

Sign up for newsletters: Most of these platforms offer email notifications about races in your area. This passive approach ensures you don't miss registration for popular events.

Read reviews: When available, always read comments from past participants. They'll tell you about course difficulty, organization quality, swag and post-race experiences.

Check registration dates: Popular races sell out quickly. Some marathons and ultras fill up within hours of registration opening.

Compare prices: Registration fees can vary significantly between platforms due to different service fee structures. Factor this into your race selection.

Join the community: Whether it's following runners on Athlinks, joining an ATRA membership, or connecting with local clubs through Running in the USA, the social aspect of running enhances the experience and helps you discover races through word-of-mouth.

The Bottom Line

The race registration landscape has evolved dramatically over the past decade, with specialized platforms emerging to serve every niche of the running community. Whether you're a road warrior chasing marathon PRs, an ultra runner seeking remote mountain challenges, or a casual jogger looking for fun local 5Ks, these websites make it easier than ever to find your next starting line.

Start exploring these resources, bookmark your favorites, and get ready to fill up your race calendar. The hardest part isn't finding races anymore — it's choosing which ones to run!

Have you discovered an amazing race through another site? Email me here and I will update the list from time to time.