Another New Bedford Half Marathon goes into the record books (Murphy Smith '25)

The 2026 New Bedford Half Marathon took place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, drawing close to 2,000 runners to the city’s streets for the 13.1‑mile loop, one of the country’s premier early‑spring half marathons since 1978

 Read the full article here at Yahoo Sports.

Men’s Division

• Winner: Murphy Smith (Boston Athletic Association) – 1:02:32
  A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Smith said the race was in preparation for the Boston Marathon in 36 days. He noted the course had one more hill than expected but praised the “not too windy” conditions Yahoo Sports.

• 2nd: Aaron Gruen (Rhode Island Track Club, Harvard Medical School student) – 1:03:25

• 3rd: Benjamin Drezek (Tracksmith Hare AC) – 1:05:04

The race, hosted by the city and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, begins and ends in downtown New Bedford. It’s known for its mix of urban streets and waterfront views, with notable hills around miles 3 and 12 Half Marathon Guide. Mayor Jon Mitchell noted that just three weeks earlier, the course had been buried under 37 inches of snow Yahoo Sports.

Pictured:  Mens winner Murphy Smith extends his lead as he makes his way down Rockdale Avenue during the 2026 New Bedford Half Marathon.