One of the greatest destination half marathons in North Carolina! Asheville is truly an American treasure and a running destination with great shopping and world-class beer, arts, and dining. Runners will want to sample the many unique breweries, bars and clubs that the city has to offer! Asheville is one of America's most picturesque cities with beautiful homes, mountains and attractions bordering the Blue Ridge Parkway!
The 13th Annual Asheville Half Marathon - 10k - 5K begins and ends in Pack Square on August 29, 2026. Starting at 7AM, this course covers some of the best parts of Asheville. It runs through the Brewery District, then tours the Arts District, and then follows the French Broad River as you head up north to Beaver Lake. After Beaver Lake you will head past the Grove Park Country Club, then towards Weaver Park, and next to UNCA campus. Runners will then take Broadway Street back to downtown. Participants will LOVE the challenge of running or walking the hills in Asheville.
Participants love the challenge of racing through the hills of Asheville at the end of August, one of the best times to visit with great weather, amazing views and beautiful fall colors filling the city. Yes, that's right...there are hills here. Ha!
The Asheville Half Marathon will be capped at 2500 participants for the 2026 event. There will be NO RACE DAY Registration so be sure to sign up early! ALL registration ends August 28, 2026.
If you're a runner, this is the one to run!
Race Start Times:
The Asheville Half Marathon & 10K, starts and finishes at Pack Square 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801
Saturday, August 29, 2026
7:00 AM – HALF MARATHON & 10K
7:05 AM - 5K
8:30 AM - 11:00 AM AWARDS CEREMONY
Start/Finish:
Runners and walkers start at 7:00 AM at Pack Square. You will start and finish uphill...ugh! We ask everyone to be near the Start Line by 6:45 AM. You must wear your Bib Number to be allowed on the race course. DO NOT STOP AT FINISH LINE - KEEP MOVING ONTO PACK SQUARE PARK!
Finish Festival will be in Pack Square Park from 7:30 AM to 12:00 noon. Join us for entertainment, vendors, food, refreshments and fun to be had by all!
BRING YOUR OWN WATER TO THE START. We will have water bottles for you AFTER the race.
What do I get for participating?
Besides running in one of the most beautiful places on the East Coast;
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Running Tech Shirt (Half Marathoner - 10K/5K)
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Custom Bibs with your name on it (Half Marathoner - 10K/5K) - must sign up before August 1st
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Incredible Finisher Medals (Half Marathoner - 10K/5K)
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Live Music Entertainment
PACKET PICK UP:
Friday, August 28th, 2026; 2:00PM – 7:00PM
Asheville Brewing Company
77 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
For more information on Packet Pick Up, click HERE
WILL CALL PACKET PICK UP (for those who purchased it only)
Race Day - 6:00am-6:45am
*Located at the Red-ish Asheville Half Marathon Tent in the grass at Pack Square Park.
COURSE:
The 13.1 Asheville Half Marathon and 10K begins and ends in Pack Square and runs through the streets of Asheville and along the French Broad River. Participants will LOVE the challenge of running or walking the hills in Asheville. If you're a runner, this is the one to run!
Half Marathon Course
COURSE
PACERS:
We are currently looking into getting pacers together. The pace groups will be 1:35, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, and 2:45. You do not need to sign up for a group, just show up to the start line and look for the pacer signs. If you are interested in being a Pacer, please email Ginna at [email protected]
TIMING:
We have partnered with SVE Timing Services to time this year’s event using RM Timing Systems. All Half Marathon and 10K participants will be timed and will receive their disposable timing tag during packet pick up. If you have questions with results, please email [email protected]
T-SHIRTS:
Every participant will be guaranteed a runners tech shirt that signed up before August 1st. You will have a choice between a men’s or women’s cut shirt. Shirts are ordered based on the sizes indicated during online registration.
NO SWITCHING SIZES – NO EXCEPTIONS!
VIRTUAL RUNNER:
Couldn’t get into the race this year or you couldn’t make it to the race? Maybe the time limit for the course closure is an issue for you. We have you covered…VIRTUAL RUNNER! See Details HERE
DIVISIONS:
Overall, Masters, 12 and under, 13-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+.
AWARDS:
We want to support the local businesses for awards. Top 3 Males and Females Overall in all 3 races will receive awards. Top 1 Male and Females in all divisions for the half, 10K, and 5k will receive awards. Award gift certificates courtesy of Jus' Running and Fleet Feet - Asheville
Claiming Awards:
Awards will be given and called out during the awards ceremony around 10am. We do NOT ship unclaimed awards.
NOTE: Sisu Events reserves the right to add/delete categories and awards prior to race based on participation.
REFUNDS AND TRANSFERS:
Registration fees are non-refundable. Event registrations are non-transferable between individuals, events, or years. There will be no deferrals. You will be able to transfer into the Virtual Event up until August 10th, 2026.
TIME LIMITS:
There is a 3:00 hour time limit in the Half Marathon and a 1:45 time limit in the 10K. In order to comply with the agreement with the City of Asheville, streets comprising the route must be reopened to vehicular traffic on a set schedule. If you feel unsafe or the police have to leave their post for an emergency, you will be allowed to run on the sidewalks to finish. Use your own judgement and be safe.
DOGS AND STROLLERS:
While we LOVE dogs and LOVE kids, for your safety Dogs and Strollers will NOT be allowed for this event.
MEDICAL/FIRST AID:
Should you need medical attention at the finish line, let a volunteer know and you’ll be escorted to the ambulance located very close to the finish line. Announcements can always be made at the DJ booth as well. Any life threatening problems should call 911.
WATER STOPS/PORTOS:
Water and portos will be provided throughout the run roughly every 2 miles.
We will provide a water bottle at the finish line AFTER the race. DO NOT get a water bottle before the race or there will not be any available to the rest of the runners.
Portos will be set up in Pack Square Park at the start/finish area.
WEATHER POLICY:
Races are held, rain or shine, unless Sisu Events determines that conditions are too dangerous. This will be based on a prudent decision made on race weekend or race day by Sisu Events and local law enforcement officials. If the race is canceled due to inclement weather, there will be neither refunds nor transfers. This position is consistent with USA Track & Field recommendations and with the protocol of sharing the risks associated with the sport of running. In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, Sisu Events reserves the right to alter, cancel or eliminate any/all portions of the race.
PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION:
Many hotels are in walking distance and/or offer shuttles to and from downtown Asheville. The beginning of the race is steps from Pack Square.
Downtown Parking Information
POST RACE EXPO:
DO NOT STOP AT FINISH LINE - KEEP MOVING ONTO PACK SQUARE PARK!
Finish Festival will be in Pack Square Park from 7:30 AM to 12:00 noon. Join us for entertainment, vendors, food (pre-packaged food for sanitary purposes), refreshments and fun to be had by all!
ENTERTAINMENT:
We are excited to have LIVE music at the Start and Finish line to energize the runners and maintain the fun!