North Carolinas BEST SPRING HALF MARATHON celebrating running and Craft Beer!
Running is your Craft! Join us for the Charlotte's Premier Spring Race...the 8th Annual Craft Beer Half Marathon & 5 Miler presented by Ivy Rehab is on March 28, 2026. Celebrate running and the HUGE Charlotte Craft Beer scene with fantastic course through miles of the greenway in North Charlotte. The Half Marathon will run on HALF Greenway and HALF roads. This event has SOLD OUT all 7 years, so register early. The Half Marathon & 5 Miler will only accept 2,000 runners.
REGISTER NOW to guarantee your spot! Check Out our TRAINING PLANS
Run the race and stay for the FREE beer. Local breweries will have beer.
Race Start Times:
The Craft Beer Half Marathon, starts and finishes at Brixham Park in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, NC - 15810 Ballantyne Medical Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277
Saturday, March 28, 2026
8:00 AM – HALF MARATHON & 5 MILER
What do I get for participating?
The Most Swag for any Half Marathon in the area!
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Long Sleeve Shirt
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Custom Bibs with your name on it
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Medal Coaster Finisher Medals (do this race 4 times and you’ll have a set of coasters)
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Pint Glasses for the first 1,000 registered - Half Marathon participants only
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Can/bottle Koozies for all Half Marathon participants only while supplies last
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Drink ticket to local brews
Now that is a TON OF SWAG!
Packet Pick Up: You can pick up for friends and family. NO RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP...unless you purchased Will Call.
Thursday, March 26, 2026; 11PM – 3:00PM
Charlotte Running Company - Promenade
5355 Ballantyne Commons Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28277
Friday, March 27, 2026; 2PM - 8PM ---- PACKET PICK UP PARTY
OMB Ballantyne
15025 Bowl St,
Charlotte, NC 28277
For more information on Packet Pick Up and the PARTY, click HERE
WILL CALL PACKET PICK UP (for those who purchased it only) *Registration for Will Call ends on March 20th
Race Day - 7:00am-7:45am
Course:
This Half Marathon is HALF on the roads and HALF on the beautiful greenway paved trails.
*START - We will stage the start at Brixham Park. Your official time will be based off of your chip time (from when you cross the start mat until you cross the finish mat), so no need to panic at the start...we promise there will be beer left for you at the finish. HA!
Course Maps
Pacers:
We are excited to have the Charlotte Running Club Pace Team. Pace groups will be 1:35, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45, and 3:00. 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 would like to become a Pacer please email easzman@gmail.com
Training Plans:
We are excited to partner with Charlotte Running Company to provide training plans for our athletes....AND some FREE SWAG!
Coached Group Run Opportunities on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays each week
More Info HERE
Timing:
We have partnered with Start 2 Finish. All Half Marathon and 5 Miler participants will be timed and will receive their disposable timing tag during packet pick up.
Bag Check:
There will NOT be a bag check at this years event.
T-Shirts:
Every participant will be guaranteed a race shirt that signed up before March 15th. You will have a choice between long sleeve or short sleeve. 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:
Top 3 Males and Females overall and Top 1 in all divisions will receive awards.
Claiming Awards:
As results become available, runners will be able to claim their awards at the awards ceremony prior to the last participant finishing. We do NOT ship unclaimed awards. As an effort to highlight the local running stores and all they do for our community, awards will be gift certificates from the local Run For Your Life Stores.
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.
Time Limit:
There is a 3:00 hour time limit (13:45 mile pace) in the Half Marathon and a 1:15min time limit in the 5 Miler (15min mile pace). In order to comply with the agreement with the City of Charlotte, streets comprising the route must be reopened to vehicular traffic on a set schedule.
Dogs and Strollers:
Dogs and Strollers will NOT be allowed.
Medic/First Aid:
Should you need medical attention at the finish line, let a volunteer know and you’ll be escorted to the medical tent located very close to the finish line. There will be a medical tent located at the finish line in case of emergency or any minor medical needs. Announcements can always be made at the DJ booth as well. Any life threatening problems should call 911.
Water Stops & Potties:
There will be 6 water stops for the Half Marathon and 2 water stops for the 5 Miler. There will be Potties located on the course for the Half Marathoners; Mile 2.5, Mile 4.5, Mile 6.5, Mile 8.5, Mile 10, and Mile 12.
We will provide a water bottle at the finish line AFTER the race courtesy of HORNET MOVING. DO NOT get a water bottle before the race or there will not be any available to the rest of the runners.
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.
Expo:
BRING YOUR OWN WATER TO THE START. We will have water bottles for you AFTER the race.
At the Craft Beer Half Expo you will find exhibitors, great giveaways from our sponsors, and best of all, BEER from a ton of the areas best breweries. Local breweries will have beer to sample…must be 21 years of age. The Expo starts at 8:30 and ends around 12 pm. Use your free pint glass and sample. Food and Beverage not covered under USATF Sanction.
Entertainment:
We are excited to have LIVE music from Thirsty Horses Band at the Start and Finish line to energize the runners and maintain the fun!