Course Description

The Asheville Marathon & Half is a USATF sanctioned event and both courses are USATF certified. The race will remain a Boston Qualifier. *

Both races are point to point – start in Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville on Spruce Street, run downhill through the City of Asheville to the River Arts District.  The races are spectator friendly, with live music and an opportunity for a personal best at both distances. The marathon features a double loop section along the newly added River Arts District Greenway and along the French Broad River. 

After crossing the finish line, runners will get to partake in all the festivities at the Wedge at the Foundation!

* Watch for upcoming information on course upgrades! (Both courses will be USATF Sanctioned and Certified with new course changes.) 

 

Course 

Marathon 

Elevation gain: 440 feet, loss -649 feet. The flattest marathon in Western North Carolina with a net downhill elevation loss. Features: Point to point race starting in downtown Asheville, greenways, French Broad River, parks and finishing in the revitalized River Arts District at the Wedge at Foundation.

Half Marathon: 204 feet, loss -414 feet 

Marathon Course
Half Marathon Course

Water Stations

Our water stations will provide a variety of options and choices to support your race experience and personal preference. We offer water, gels, bars and electrolyte drinks.

We are pleased to announce UnTapped will be the official gel partner of the Asheville Marathon & Half!

Maple syrup is the foundation for UnTapped nutrition. A nutrient rich, low-glycemic carbohydrate, maple syrup won’t spike and subsequently crash your energy, as you may experience with other carbohydrates. Maple syrup is packed with nutrients, especially as compared to other, more inert energy sources. It inherently contains vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. These electrically charged minerals and compounds help your body do work, facilitate muscle contraction, and allow you to perform at your best.

Visit with them at the Race Expo and fuel up with their gels that will be featured at each water station along the course. Available flavors will include Salted Citrus, Maple UnTapped, and Coffee UnTapped.

We are also thrilled to announce JAMBAR will be the official nutrition/energy bar partner of the races!

JAMBARS were created by the co-founder of the original PowerBar, Jennifer Maxwell. Jennifer worked for four and a half years to create the perfect bar. “Everything in a JAMBAR you could eat off a spoon!” JAMBAR is featured in this month’s Runner’s World magazine as one of the top bars of the year for their Mango flavor! JAMBARS are

  • Certified organic & non-GMO
  • Crafted in small batches in the company’s own facility
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-Free
  • Made with real fruit and/or fair trade chocolate
  • Sweetened with authentic sweeteners from nature
  •  Offer 10 grams of protein per bar

JAMBAR also donates 50% of all after-tax profits to qualified nonprofits to support music, active living and community connections!
You’ll find JAMBAR at one of the water stations and at the finish line. Be sure to stop by and pick one up! With four delicious flavors to choose from, you’ll definitely “Get your jam on!”

GET TO KNOW YOUR MARATHON WATER STATIONS:

  1. Water Station #1 –  Craven Street Bridge – Mile 3.5, 16, & 16.8
  2. Water Station #2 – French Broad River Park – Mile 5.2, 14.1, 18.5, & 25
  3. Water Station #3 – near Carrier Park Pavilion/Short Michigan Ave – Mile 6.6 and 20
  4. Water Station #4 – Hominy Creek River Greenway Park – Mile 8, 11, 21, 22
  5. Water Station #5 – (Fleet Feet) – Carrier Park near picnic shelter – Mile 12.5 and 23

GET TO KNOW YOUR HALF MARATHON WATER STATIONS:

  1. Water Station #1 – Craven Street Bridge – Mile 3.5
  2. Water Station #2 – French Broad River Park – Mile 5.2
  3. Water Station #3 – near Carrier Park Pavilion/Short Michigan Ave – Mile 6.6 
  4. Water Station #4 – Hominy Creek River Greenway Park – Mile 8
  5. Water Station #5 (Fleet Feet) – near Amboy Road/French Broad River Gwy – Mile 10.2

Spectator Information

The races are spectator friendly, with live music and an opportunity for a personal best at both distances. The marathon features a double loop section along the newly added River Arts District Greenway and along the French Broad River. 

Spectators can attend the race and provide their own transportation, or they can purchase shuttle tickets for $20 online in the Race Store or at the race expo. 

SPECTATOR SHUTTLES: (tickets required, available for purchase online – $20) 

Pre-race shuttle to Downtown:
5:45AM Shuttles begin from Doubletree Hotel for hotel guests (rear of the hotel) to Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville (start line)
7:00AM Last shuttles leave for the start line from Doubletree Hotel

After the race start shuttle to the Finish area:
7:45 – 8:00AM After the race start, spectators can board the shuttle at the start line (with ticket) at Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville, to the finish area at Wedge at Foundation. 

Post race shuttle:
9AM – 2:30PM Post race shuttles pick up from Wedge at Foundation (near 12 Bones/Summit Coffee) and return runners and spectators to Doubletree Hotel and Downtown Asheville.

NOTE: Limited parking available at the Wedge at Foundation.

    Photography

    Although we have professional photographers on the course, runners are encouraged to bring a camera for special photo opportunities. You won’t want to miss the chance to capture this day with your own memorable photographs. See official photos on our Race Photography page.

    Biltmore Estate

    Race Expo/Bib Pickup

    Friday, March 15, 2024 - 11am-7pm

    Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 115 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

    • You have the option to have your shirt + bib mailed to you before the event so you can skip packet pickup! You can purchase this option from the race store for $15 during registration or from the race store up until February 25th at midnight. Packets will be mailed out approximately 1 1/2 - 2 weeks prior to race day. 

    Half Marathon
    Saturday, March 16, 2024
    Time: 7:30 am
    Location: Downtown Asheville
    --------------------
    Course Type: Point to Point
    Stroller friendly? No
    Dogs allowed? No
    Bag drop? Yes

    Weather: Spring in the mountains means anything can happen. Wear layers!

    Marathon
    Saturday, March 16, 2024
    Time:  7:30am
    Location: Downtown Asheville
    --------------------
    Course Type: Point to Point
    Stroller friendly? No
    Dogs allowed? No
    Bag drop? Yes

    Weather: Spring in the mountains means anything can happen. Wear layers!

    Registration Dates 

    SPECIAL PRICING March 28th 3pm to April 2nd at midnight
    SUPER EARLY April 3rd to September 24th at midnight
    EARLY September 25th to Nov 5th at midnight
    REGULAR November 6th to January 14th, 2024 at midnight
    LATE January 15th to February 25th at midnight
    RACE READY February 26th - Race Day

    Guaranteed Shirt Size Deadline - February 4
    Ship Swag Deadline -  Feb 25th

    Shuttles 

    Runners can be shuttled to the start line from either DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village or the Hampton Inn. Shuttle tickets are included in your registration fee, but are only for registered runners. Spectators who want to ride the shuttles need to purchase a ticket from the Race Store. Visit the Transportation page for more info. 

    Travel Info
    Fly Into
    Asheville Regional Airport — 25-30 minutes
    Greenville Spartanburg International Airport — 1 hr. 15 minutes
    Charlotte — 2 hours

    Lodging
    We recommend looking for lodging at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville or stay next door at the Hampton Inn. These two hotels are the most convenient locations to get a race morning shuttle to and from the race. We are also partnered with Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins, if you prefer a more private setting, nestled right on the race course! 

    HOTEL INFORMATION

    CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

    Did you register to participate in-person but can't make it on race day? You don't have to miss out! You can transfer your registration to the virtual event at any point before the start of the race. In the virtual event, you'll run anywhere you like, post your results, and have your swag mailed to you after the event.

    TRANSFERS: All participants can transfer into the virtual version of their event up until the start of the event. Email support@idaph.net to request the transfer. There will be no refunds for the price difference between events. Transfers during the week of the event will cost $10 (beginning Monday, March 11th). Transfers between participants are prohibited. Participants who run with another runner's bib will be automatically DQd and bandits will be banned from future iDaph events. 

    REFUNDS: We have a small, but mighty team that is working on all the details to produce this event safely for you and everyone in our community in attendance. We are incurring the expenses for production well before the day of the event, and we will not be able to provide a refund to you should you want to cancel your registration, or if the event itself has to be cancelled due to a change in the status of the pandemic, weather, an act of god, or other unforeseen circumstance.

    DEFERRALS: We do not allow deferrals from race to race. If you're unable to make it on race day, you may switch to the virtual option.

    CANCELLATION: In the event of an unforeseen circumstance, such as an emergency, an act of god, not receiving approval of final event permits, or change in pandemic status resulting in the inability to have the in-person event, we reserve the right to cancel the event and automatically convert all in-person registrations to the virtual option. Should this occur, your swag will be mailed to you for free.