Registration for Miami Marathon & Half opens Friday
If you’re dreaming of running through the heart of Miami surrounded by ocean views and cheering crowds in one of the nation’s premier distance races, the clock is ticking.
Registration for the 2026 Life Time Miami Marathon & Half presented by FP Movement opens Friday — and with demand growing every year, organizers say another rapid sellout is all but guaranteed. Only 18,500 spots are available, and they’re expected to disappear quickly for the fifth consecutive year.
In fact, the race has been filling up faster and faster. Registration for the 2025 edition closed on Aug. 29 of last year — two weeks earlier than the previous record sellout date for the 2024 race, and a full seven weeks ahead of 2023’s pace. Last year’s wait list swelled to more than 10,000 runners hoping for a last-minute chance to compete in this defining event on South Florida’s calendar.
The 2026 iteration — the 24th annual — will take place Sunday, Jan. 25.
“It’s the hottest ticket in town,” said race co-founder and Life Time chief running officer Frankie Ruiz. “Runners throughout the world have the Life Time Miami Marathon on their calendar. We are honored and thrilled with the enthusiasm that we see from runners who come back year-to-year to experience the special thrill of running Miami.”
As usual, Life Time Miami Marathon & Half will feature a flat, fast, USTAF-certified course that winds through Downtown Miami, Miami Beach and Coconut Grove. It’s also a Boston Marathon qualifier and considered one of the country’s most scenic and well-run distance events.
Participants will again include runners from all 50 states and nearly 70 countries. Those unable to snag a spot on registration day can add their name to a wait list, though that hasn’t guaranteed entry in recent years.
Along with the main event, the Life Time Tropical 5K is also set to return the day before — Saturday, Jan. 24. The shorter race offers runners a warm-up with tropical vibes, beginning on Watson Island and finishing at the southern tip of South Beach. It’s also a favorite among friends and family who want to join the festivities without tackling a longer distance. Registration for the 5K opens the same day as the marathon and half.
The Miami Marathon & Half is part of a portfolio of more than 30 endurance events organized by LifeTime, the health and wellness company that also produces the Chicago Half Marathon, UNBOUND Gravel, and the Leadville Race Series. Life Time operates more than 180 athletic country clubs across the U.S. and Canada, including several in South Florida.
“The unique culture and diversity of Miami brings such a special layer to the race experience that Life Time is proud to offer athletes from all over the globe,” said Samantha Bailey, senior marketing manager for Life Time Athletic Events. “It truly is a one-of-a-kind experience.”
In the 2025 races, Paul Eyanae from Kenya won the marathon with a time of 2:20:00, while Beth Marzigliano from Naples claimed the women’s title in 3:03:42.
In the Half Marathon, Solomon Kagimbi from Kenya became Miami’s first two-time men’s winner with a time of 1:04:27, while Nell Rojas from Boulder, Colo., matched the women’s course record at 1:13:53.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned racer chasing a personal best, don’t wait too long to commit. The race has become a signature South Florida experience — and those who delay might find themselves cheering from the sidelines.