The Location
In the Asheville Half, held on the grounds at Biltmore Estate, runners will explore 13.1 miles through America’s largest backyard. The Asheville Marathon halfers will wind through hardwood forests, meadows, gardens, and extraordinary views of the estate. Along the way, runners will pass landmarks including Biltmore House and gardens, America’s largest and most esteemed private residence. The 250-room French Renaissance chateau, perched over 8,000-acres of meticulously-tended gardens, is host to a million visitors a year. To learn more about Biltmore, visit www.biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE.
General Info
The marathon & half are run entirely on private property on the scenic grounds of the Biltmore Estate. It will cover the east (mostly paved) side of the Estate, marathon runners will also get to run onto the west side of the Estate (dirt farm roads). During the event, vehicular traffic will be very limited and controlled, however you may experience some traffic, please pay attention and stay to the side of the roads. Bib chip timing will be used for the event. Pre-race training on location prior to the event is prohibited since the entire course is on the private property of the Biltmore Estate.
The privilege of running around the estate on race day is exclusive to race day only. There is no pre-event course preview or running allowed due to the private nature of the estate and the off-limit areas that our event covers during the events.
Course Description
Like sprockets on a cog, runners will travel round and round at dizzying paces as they make their rounds upon the grounds of this enchanted estate. Participants will take in all manner of breathtaking sights and sounds as they complete loop after loop of the estate and its proximity. The course will be a loop race will begin and finish near Antler Hill Village and its many shops and attractions. Runners will be led to the site of the world-renowned Biltmore House itself, almost close enough to reach out and touch the doors to the main entrance.
Immediately thereafter, the journey will proceed into the Walled Garden. As the House’s splendid architecture gives way to horticultural marvels, the meandering route winds along the Azalea Garden and lagoon.
With the broad-shouldered French Broad coursing within its nearby banks, there will occur a transition to dirt carriage roads. Here, marathoners will head towards the “wild west side” of the estate via a beautiful white bridge. The west side is typically off-limits to estate gates and our marathon runners have only had the privilege of running on this side of the estate. Runners will finish their estate tour and return to the east side to finish at Antler Village.
Depending on the device you are using, the half marathon has approximately 500 feet elevation change and the marathon has 1,000 feet of elevation change.
After crossing the finish line, runners will get to partake in all the festivities and delightful shops at the village.
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. Due to COVID we will not be offering pre-cut or open packaged foods.
Visit our Water Station page for more information.
GET TO KNOW YOUR MARATHON WATER STATIONS:
- Deerpark – Mile 2 – Water Only
- Biltmore House – Mile 5 – Gels, electrolyte drink
- 42Bearpen – Mile 7 1/2 & 23 1/2 – electrolyte drink, Gels, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
- French Broad River – Mile 9, 22 1/2 & 24 1/2 – electrolyte drink, Gels, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
- – West Side Bridge – Mile 11 (marathon only) – electrolyte drink, Gels, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
- Alta Vista – Mile 12 1/2 & 13 1/2 (marathon only) – electrolyte drink, Gels, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
- Pine Top – Mile 15 1/2 (marathon only) – electrolyte drink, Gels, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
- Line House Road/Finish – Mile 18 & 20 (marathon), Mile 11 & 12.5 (half marathon) — GATORADE electrolyte drink, Gels, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
GET TO KNOW YOUR HALF MARATHON WATER STATIONS:
- Deerpark – Mile 2 – Water Only
- Biltmore House – Mile 5 – Gels, electrolyte drink
- Bearpen – Mile 7 1/2 – electrolyte drink, Gels, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
- Lagoon– Mile 9 – electrolyte drink, Gels, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
- Line House Road/Finish – Mile 11 & 12.5 (half marathon) – Gels, electrolyte drink, Coke, Bars, Fruit & Cookies
Spectator Information
Spectators will be permitted in the race hub and start and finish line. Due to the closed roads on the estate spectators will not be permitted to drive around on the course. Along the French Broad River, near Antler Hill Village, and at the ‘West Side Bridge’ there will be great spots for family and friends to see the runner several different times during the event. This area will be the designated cheering locations and spectator viewing. For more detailed information, visit our Spectators page. Spectators are required to have an Estate ticket. These are available for purchase for $25 + tax, a 2 day spectator ticket is $41+tax.
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 18, 2022 or Saturday, March 19, 2022
Time: TBA
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 115 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Half Marathon
Saturday, March 19, 2022 & Sunday, March 20, 2022
Time: Mass Starts - 7:30am
Location: Biltmore Estate
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Course Type: Loop
Stroller friendly? No
Disability friendly? No
Dogs allowed? No
Weather: Spring in the mountains means anything can happen. Wear layers!
Marathon
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Time: Mass Starts - 7:30am
Location: Biltmore Estate
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Course Type: Loop
Stroller friendly? No
Disability friendly? No
Dogs allowed? No
Weather: Spring in the mountains means anything can happen. Wear layers!
Registration Dates
EARLY Sept. 21st to Sept 30th at midnight
REGULAR Oct 1-Dec 31
LATE Jan 1 - March 1
RACE READY March 2nd - race day
Shuttles
Runners can be shuttled to the start line from either DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village or the AB-Tech parking lots. Shuttle tickets are included in your registration fee. Visit the Transportation page for more info.
COVID-19 Guidelines
We are following current industry standards, as well as Biltmore Estate & State of North Carolina requirements for creating a safe race environment with the pandemic - permit has been signed and approved with Biltmore Estate for the 2022 event. This could include required rapid COVID testing, regardless of vaccination status.
Travel Info
Fly Into
Asheville Regional Airport — 25-30 minutes
Greenville Spartanburg International Airport — 1 hr. 15 minutes
Charlotte — 2 hours
Driving Directions to Biltmore Estate
Google Maps Directions
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. Visit our Hotel page for more info.
Google Map Directions to DoubleTree
Refund Policy
In order to plan this event in the short time-frame that we have left to us before the March race, our team will be working full-time beginning in January 2021, to provide this world-class race experience to you. We also will be purchasing race materials such as shirts, finisher medals and awards. Due to the expenses we will be incurring for production of this event prior to the event taking place, should a government shutdown occur due to the pandemic or an act of God take place, 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. We are in good faith taking every step possible to ensure that the 2021 event will take place. However, there are things that are outside our control, including government shut-downs. In the event of a government shutdown, all in person race entries will be switched to virtual/self-serve race option.
Above all else, we are striving to make this race as safe as it can possibly be for all our participants, volunteers and staff. If you are feeling unwell (or uncomfortable participating) we want you to stay home, stay safe and join us next year without feeling like you're losing out. In order to make that happen, we are offering flexible options so participants can make responsible decisions based on their help. Please see the Guidelines page for more information about these options.