New Bedford Half Marathon Draws Nearly 2,000 Runners

Annual race returns to city streets after pandemic hiatus

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:03pm

The New Bedford Half Marathon, a long-standing annual running event in the Massachusetts city, drew close to 2,000 participants on Sunday, March 15, 2026, marking the return of the popular race after a pandemic-related hiatus.

Why it matters

The New Bedford Half Marathon is a beloved community event that showcases the city's vibrant running culture and brings together thousands of athletes from across the region. Its return after a break signals a positive step in the city's recovery from the challenges of the past few years.

The details

The New Bedford Half Marathon, which first began in the 1970s, features a 13.1-mile course that winds through the city's historic streets and neighborhoods. This year's edition saw close to 2,000 runners take part, marking a strong turnout as the event made its comeback following pandemic-related cancellations in previous years.

  • The New Bedford Half Marathon took place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • The race has been an annual event since the 1970s.

The players

New Bedford Half Marathon

A long-standing annual running event in New Bedford, Massachusetts that draws thousands of participants.

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The takeaway

The return of the New Bedford Half Marathon is a testament to the city's resilience and its vibrant running community. The strong turnout for this year's race signals a positive step forward as the city continues to recover from the challenges of the past few years.