COURSE

The 2026 Asheville Marathon & Half takes runners on a scenic tour of Asheville’s most iconic neighborhoods, downtown streets, and riverside greenways. Both races start on College Street in the heart of downtown, quickly moving into the tree-lined streets of historic North Asheville. Runners will climb through classic neighborhoods along Charlotte Street, Griffing Boulevard, and Kimberly Avenue, passing stately homes and glimpses of the Grove Park area before winding into the rolling, Victorian-lined streets of Montford. The downtown stretch offers a lively mix of city energy and history, weaving past Wall Street, Battery Park Avenue, and Pack Square before heading toward the River Arts District.
MARATHONCOURSE MAP

Saturday, March 21, 2026
Start Time: 7:30 am

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*Course subject to change

HALF MARATHONCOURSE MAP

Saturday, March 21, 2026
Start Time: 7:30 am

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*Course subject to change

The half marathon course remains USATF-certified and unchanged from 2025. The marathon will be recertified and sanctioned before race day as a Boston-qualifying event, and will include refreshed sections now reopened after storm repairs, making this year’s race a true celebration of Asheville’s resilience and beauty.

Course Support

  • AVL Spring Water Water Stations
    • Half Marathon: Miles 4, 6.5, 9 & 12
    • Marathon: Miles 4, 6.5, 9, 12, 12.5, 15, 17, 19.5, 23, 24, & 25.5
  • Electrolytes: Gatorade available at all AVL Spring Water stations along the course
  • JAMBARs: At all AVL Spring Water stations beginning at Mile 9 through Mile 25.5
  • At select AVL Spring Water stations
    • Fruit chews, pretzels
    • Coca Cola (marathon only)
    • DJ's Pickles Pickle Juice (Marathon only)
    • Portajons/Restrooms: Start, Finish, and near every water station
    • Medical Stations: Available along the course at various AVL Spring Water stations

Course Time Limit

We encourage the seasoned and first time marathoners (including walkers) alike to take part. Course support, water stations and finish line will remain open for 6.5 hours (for both distances). This requires a 14:53 per mile pace.

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POST RACE PARTY

New Belgium Brewing is our finish line location and host for the post-race party! This means that after you run all those miles, you’ll head straight to one of Asheville’s most beloved spots to kick back, celebrate, and connect with the community. Enjoy live music, food trucks, craft beverages and more!

For Asheville, New Belgium has been more than just a brewery—they’ve been a force for positive change. When they arrived 8 years ago, they revitalized an overlooked part of our city and transformed it into an iconic place to gather. When their brewery was damaged by Hurricane Helene, they pivoted quickly to use their location to distribute water and support a community in need.