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 half marathon is run entirely on private property on the scenic grounds of the Biltmore Estate. It will cover the east (mostly paved) side of the Estate and for 2021 ONLY, 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. New for 2021 (and only for this year!) the new point-to-point formatted race will begin near the Biltmore House and finish at 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 half 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. We are thrilled to offer for ONE YEAR ONLY, the half marathon runners can explore miles 7-12 on this wild 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 full marathon has 1,000 feet of elevation change.
After crossing the finish line, halfers will get to partake in all the festivities and delightful shops at the village. Do you have what it takes to tackle both sides of the estate “The Magical & the Wild Side” and make this early spring regal gala upon Biltmore your crowning achievement?
Course Profile
The Asheville Half Marathon course will be NEW and utilized ONLY for one year, at the 2021 race. This is YOUR opportunity to run the half marathon and explore both the east and west sides of the Estate.
The new, point-to-point, half marathon course has -762 feet of net elevation loss and +575 of net elevation gain. The course will start approximately one mile from the Biltmore House, run through the walled gardens, along the French Broad River, past the Lagoon and then over to the west side of the Estate. Runners will finish on the east side in Antler Hill Village.
Course Maps and Elevation Charts
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 as many water stations in 2021 as we have in previous years. Our food offerings will not be quite as robust either, there will only be packed foods. No pre-cut or open packaged foods. We highly encourage you to carry your own nutrition and hydration for the 2021 race.
Visit our Water Station page for more information.
Spectator Information
Due to COVID0-19, the Biltmore Estate and the Event will not be accessible to spectators during the March 2021 event.
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 19, 2021
Time: TBA
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, 115 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Half Marathon
Saturday, March 20, 2021
Time: Wave Starts - 7:30am until 8:50am
Location: Biltmore Estate
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Course Type: Loop
Stroller friendly? No
Disability friendly? Yes, non wheeled equipment only
Dogs allowed? No
Weather: Spring in the mountains means anything can happen. Wear layers!
Registration Dates
Exclusive Early Entry opening for 2020 Participants only - January 7, 2021 thru January 10th at midnight, General Public Registration opens January 11, 2021 (if spots are still available)
*Entries are limited and this race will sell out quickly.
Course Updates
The 2021 half marathon course will be like none other, a truly one-of-a-kind experience. We can't wait for you to experience running entirely on the estate over new terrain and with new views. The new course is designed with runner and community safety, social distancing and beauty in mind and will be run for the 2021 event only. We expect for the course to change back to the original half marathon course in 2022 and beyond.
Runners will have the privilege to run and explore the west side of the estate. This area is typically off-limits for guests and only our Marathon participants have had the honor of running on this side of the estate. For this year only, we have re-designed the course so that the start is close to the House and the finish is in Antler Hill Village (as it has been in the past). Visit the Course page for more info.
Shuttles
Due to the nature of this new course and for social-distance measures to be implemented throughout the race experience, runners will be shuttled to the start line from either DoubleTree Hotel in Biltmore Village or the AB-Tech parking lots. There is no on-site at the start line parking available for this year's 2021 race. Shuttle tickets are included in your registration fee. Temperature and COVID screenings will be implented prior to boarding the shuttle on race day. Face Coverings are required in the shuttle, before and after you start your run, Currently, face coverings are not required while you are running. 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
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
COVID-19 Guidelines
We are taking the COVID-19 virus very seriously and are taking the necessary precautions to put on a safe, socially distanced event for our runners. Please visit our COVID-19 Guidelines page. If you would like to skip Packet Pick-up, we will mail your race bib and swag for you if you register by . This option is available when you register online.
Refund Policy
The 2021 event registration has purposely been postponed for opening until we were closer to the event to ensure that the event would be possible given the pandemic and NC State restrictions on event gatherings. The permit for the 2021 event with the Biltmore Estate has been approved.
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.