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!
Slight modifications may take place with race routes.
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
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.
GET TO KNOW YOUR MARATHON WATER STATIONS:
- Water Station #1 – Craven Street Bridge – Mile 3.5, 16, & 16.8
- Water Station #2 – French Broad River Park – Mile 5.2, 14.1, 18.5, & 25
- Water Station #3 (Green Moose Fuel) – near Carrier Park Pavilion/Short Michigan Ave – Mile 6.6 and 20
- Water Station #4 – Hominy Creek River Greenway Park – Mile 8, 11, 21, 22
- Water Station #5 – (Fleet Feet) – Carrier Park near picnic shelter – Mile 12.5 and 23
GET TO KNOW YOUR HALF MARATHON WATER STATIONS:
- Water Station #1 – Craven Street Bridge – Mile 3.5
- Water Station #2 – French Broad River Park – Mile 5.2
- Water Station #3 (Green Moose Fuel) – near Carrier Park Pavilion/Short Michigan Ave – Mile 6.6
- Water Station #4 – Hominy Creek River Greenway Park – Mile 8
- 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 and can be purchased on the store and at the race expo.
Spectator Shuttles: (tickets required, available for purchase online – $20)
- Pre-race shuttle to Downtown: From Doubletree Hotel and Hampton Inn to the start line (6am-7am), last boarding at 7am
- After the race start shuttle to the Finish area: From Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville to the Wedge at Foundation (7:30am-8:30am – time may shift due to race start times).
- Post race shuttle from Wedge at Foundation (9am-3pm)
- Back to Downtown Asheville
- To Doubletree Hotel and Hampton Inn
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.
Race Expo/Bib Pickup
Friday, March 17, 2023 - 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 26th at midnight. Packets will be mailed out approximately 1 1/2 - 2 weeks prior to race day.
Half Marathon
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Time: 7:30 am
Location: Downtown Asheville
--------------------
Course Type: Point to Point
Stroller friendly? No
Disability friendly? No
Dogs allowed? No
Weather: Spring in the mountains means anything can happen. Wear layers!
Marathon
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Time: 7:30am
Location: Downtown Asheville
--------------------
Course Type: Point to Point
Stroller friendly? No
Disability friendly? No
Dogs allowed? No
Weather: Spring in the mountains means anything can happen. Wear layers!
Registration Dates
SUPER EARLY June 29th 3pm to Sep 25th at midnight
EARLY Sep 26th to Nov 6th at midnight
REGULAR Nov 7th - Jan 1st
LATE Jan 2nd - Feb 26th
RACE READY Feb 27th - race day
Guaranteed Shirt Size Deadline - February 5
Ship Swag Deadline - Feb 26th
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.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
We are following current industry standards and State of North Carolina requirements for creating a safe race environment with the pandemic. The permit has been signed and approved with the City of Asheville for the 2022 event. As the public health situation changes, precautions could be updated to include required rapid COVID testing, regardless of vaccination status.
Above all else, we are striving to make this event as safe as it can possibly be for all our participants, volunteers, and staff. If you're feeling unwell (or uncomfortable participating), we want you to be able to stay home, stay safe, and join us virtually without feeling like you're losing out.
Here are our options for registered participants who can't make it to the race:
TRANSFER FROM IN-PERSON TO VIRTUAL: You can transfer your in-person registration to a virtual registration for free, or $10 the week of the race before the start of your race.
REFUNDS: Participants can request to be removed from the race for a $40 refund up until October 31st at midnight. After that date, no refunds will be given.
CANCELLATION: As we all know, the pandemic changes things quickly! We ask that you be flexible and patient as we may have to adjust things for this event up until the event takes place. If there are new limits on gathering restrictions set forth by the state of NC, we will adjust the start procedure to accommodate this limit and proceed with the event if possible. In the event that the U.S. or NC government, Buncombe County or City of Asheville declares a new stay-at-home order and we are not able to have the in person event, all ‘in person’ event registrations will automatically be converted to the Virtual Event.
If the race gets switched to a virtual event, you will have your swag mailed to you (shirt + medal) for free. These items can be picked up locally or mailed for free if you are from out of town.