Must race half before first marathon?

I didn't race a half before doing my first marathon, didn't know there was such a thing when I started training for my first, and probably ran four or more fulls before I ran a half.

Of course you'll run at least 13.1 miles several times in training for a marathon, so why would you "need" to race the distance?

Exactly.  You'll have multiple training runs that are well over half-mary distance, so who cares if any of them are in a race setting?

I was in a similair situation for my first marathon ... I had never run any race before I decided that i wanted to do a marathon.. Once my training group found out they really pushed me into doing a 1/2 since they thought I need that experience of being in a race.  The whole not going out to fast, dodging people blah blah.. while they did have a point once I pointed out the basic's  

1. I show up on race dayand get chip

d. i go to start line

5. either a gun goes off or someone yells go

II. I start running then stop after the finish line

they pretty much dropped the idea..

I will usually do two 20 milers or a 20 and a 22 miler before a marathon and I learned more for them as far as my nutrition, pacing, and confidence goes

The one advantage I could see if just so you have a better idea about how you will react to the pacing, nutrition, etc.  While I did long runs prior to my half, I didn't need to worry as much about nutrition and fluids because I knew I could also run to my car or whatever.  But when I raced the half-marathon I realized how VERY different it is than a 10k and would now be better prepared for a full marathon, if I were crazy enough to do that.  It's also totally mental, running that long with strangers, with no music, on a course you don't know.  Now that I know that, I might approach things differently.  Another advantage is that it's a much more fun way to knock out a long run.  You needed to run the distance anyway, why not do it supported in a fun environment and get a t-shirt!

I think that the same things would come from a long race of any kind. 

Yeah, really. Running, even racing, 13.1 miles has very little to do with running a marathon.

Uh, not really, not at that distance. Most people can run a half with minimal additional nutrition.

Well, I must be different than most people. I can't run for over 2 hours and 17 minutes without some added calories.  In any event, I learned a lot from that half marathon and thought of many things along the way that I knew would help me to understand an endurance event of that type (times two for the mary, of course).   Another thing was that I didn't realize how much dodging people at the beginning would wear me out, which I would guess also applies to a marathon.

And I should have also highlighted that I was saying how I thought it might help and not that it's necessary.  I know that the OP has racing experience which I still think goes a long way to being prepared.  It's a lot better than the girls I ran my half with who had zero nutrition plan, wore brand new outfits on race day, etc.  Clearly something someone with experience wouldn't do. 

There's a big difference between "minimal" and "without some," as there is between "can't" and "don't want to."

Have you run a marathon? If so, did that really compare to running a half?

Exactly .... by the end of a typical marathon training plan that 13.1 will be a welcome "easy" long run day .......

And seriously, would you actually "race" the half if you signed up for it??  Or just use it as a long training run?  I raced the one I did before Boston this year and podiumed my AG ..... guess what?  I probably peaked that day and it only helped to diminish my marathon performance 5 weeks later .....

I thought that at first read too but after re-reading it the 10 miler reference is about doing a 10 mile race, not a 10 miler of any kind, I think.  It makes more sense that way. 

Must?  NO

I've had a fall marathon in my plan since January.  I didn't plan to do any 1/2 marathons.  However, through the course of the year I've done THREE.  For each one, the decision/registration was <7 days before the race.  They just happened to "fit" in my schedule.  These were my first halfs and have completed two marathons in prior years with zero half-marathon experience.

While I know the races are very different, the half-marathons helped me build general race confidence (applicable to 10k's, tri's, marathons).  Sure pacing, nutrition, etc. are different, but it never hurts to have additional data points.  You learn something at EVERY RACE.  The primary reason for me was to have fun and push myself a bit.

So... If it works with your schedule and doesn't interfere with your main goal (marathon performance), go for it and have fun.  If not, it's no big deal.

I don't think it is necessary to do a half before attempting a full, especially with a goal of finishing.

I did a 15K and a 1/2 before I ran my first marathon and the main advantage was it gave me time to build a good level of aerobic conditioning before the fulll.  I would also say that it gave me some level of confidence, although the last 10K is always kind of a test of your strength (mental and physical).

As I have matured as a runner and continue to set harder goals, I use 1/2s and 30Ks to test my marathon race pace and nutrition.  That has been invaluable to me.

Good luck.

First race I ran was a 10K. Think I was running for five years, probably did 8 or so marathons, before I ran a 5K.