Best Half Marathon Playlist: 36 Songs That’ll Pump Up Your Next Run

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase through my link. Information provided for educational purposes only. Please consult experts and professionals before taking action on the below.

Consider sponsoring this post to help us share this knowledge with others!


Best Half Marathon Playlist - Girl about to run with headphones on

Do you have a playlist of songs that just pumps you up?

You know what I’m talking about.  Maybe you’re having a great day and the sun is out.  You put the windows down and crank it up as you drive along.

If you’re a runner or are working your way to becoming one, I consider a great playlist a must.  When the home training runs get long, you need that little something that picks you up and gives you that extra push.

Here’s some suggestions for your play list as you work hard on your body and get healthy.

Do You Listen To Music When You Run?

Sure, you will meet people that don’t listen to music when they run.  In fact, some races don’t allow the use of earbuds to even listen to your favorite playlist.  But, I’m not here to tell you that.

I’ve used the songs below to train for five half marathons and one marathon.  All of these songs (plus about 30 more) made it to my playlist for the 2015 Philadelphia Marathon.  And if there was ever a time I needed motivation, it was running for 5 hours that day!

The playlist of songs below are rather eclectic.  It spans my love for country music and 90’s rock.  Yes, I’m a bit nostalgic.

But, these songs work.  They are great running songs.  I share them here because I used them and I believe that you can benefit from adding these songs to your playlist.  When the training runs get long, you need a pick me up.

Here’s the Best Half Marathon Playlist

  1. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
  2. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) by Luke Bryan
  3. Somewhere with You by Kenny Chesney
  4. Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers
  5. Tell Me Baby by Red Hot Chili Peppers
  6. My Own Worst Enemy by Lit
  7. 5-1-5-0 by Dierks Bentley
  8. Viva La Vida by Coldplay
  9. Move Along by All American Rejects
  10. How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox 20
  11. I Don’t Want This Night to End by Luke Bryan
  12. Drink to That All Night by Jerrod Niemann
  13. I Hold On by Dierks Bentley
  14. Bottoms Up by Brantley Gilbert
  15. Jump by Van Halen
  16. Lola Montez by Volbeat
  17. Shut Up and Dance with Me by Walk The Moon
  18. Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root
  19. Propane Nightmares by Pendulum
  20. Just Getting’ Started Tonight by Jason Aldean
  21. Cruise by Florida Georgia Line
  22. Somebody Told Me by The Killers
  23. That’s My Kind of Night by Luke Bryan
  24. Disease by Matchbox 20
  25. Unforgiven II by Metallica
  26. Spaceman by The Killers
  27. Uprising by Muse
  28. Apologize by One Republic
  29. One Headlight by The Wallflowers
  30. Long Hot Summer by Keith Urban
  31. (I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew
  32. Chillin’ It by Cole Swindell
  33. Red Dirt Road by Brooks & Dunn
  34. Burnin’ It Down by Jason Aldean
  35. Read My Mind by The Killers
  36. Counting Stars by One Republic

Find The Best Half Marathon Playlist That Works For Your Runs

So, there you have it.  My playlist of kick-ass, pick you up songs.  Sure, they may not all be your cup of tea.  That’s fine.

That said, I like to share whatever I do as a way to motivate and inspire you.  You some of the playlist, all of it, or none of it.  It doesn’t matter to me.

The point is that you find something that works for you.  Even more, I want you to get out there and enjoy you’re running time.  It’s some of the best moments of my life.  And I know you will feel the same way if you give yourself a chance.

What do you have on your playlist?  What songs are an absolute must for you to listen to during each workout or run?  Tell us below.

7 responses to “Best Half Marathon Playlist: 36 Songs That’ll Pump Up Your Next Run”

  1. Mustard Seed Money Avatar

    I have a mix of 90s and early 2000s rap. I love hearing House of Pain Jump Around or Vanilla Ice Ice Ice Baby 🙂 It always gets me hyped no matter how bad I feel during a workout 🙂

    1. David Domzalski Avatar

      Word to your mother! Haha. Love it!

  2. Andrew@LivingRichCheaply Avatar

    Great list. When working out, I think you can’t go wrong with the Rocky Soundtrack. I see Eye of the Tiger is #1 here…also like Gonna Fly Now and Hearts on Fire. Also get motivated with Eminem’s One Shot, Papa Roach- Last Resort, Bush- Machinehead…and probably some club/freestyle dance music from the 90s/early 2000s.

    1. David Domzalski Avatar

      Papa Roach!! Haha, love it. Can’t beat 90s and 00s. Lol. I’m very nostalgic with my music choices sometimes too.

  3. RaceBeats Avatar

    What a Perfect Playlist to motivate yourself ! Thanks for share

    1. David Domzalski Avatar

      Thanks! Please share it around! I have another playlist at http://runthemoney.com/nfl-players-workout-playlists/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *