Fonta Flora 50K and Half Marathon
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Fonta Flora 50K and Half Marathon
The Fonta Flora 50K, Half Marathon, and relay events are held on trails and along the banks of Lake James State Park in North Carolina. The course starts and finishes at Fonta Flora Brewery's Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, NC, near Shortoff Mountain and the Linville Gorge. Portions of event proceeds support development of trails around Lake James, including the Fonta Flora State Trail.
Distances
- 50K
- 50K 3 person relay
- 50K 2 person relay
- Half Marathon
A new relay option includes two person and three person teams. Two person relay legs are roughly 13.5 and 18.5 miles. Three person relay legs are roughly 13.5, 12.5, and 6 miles, run in that order. Awards will be presented to top finishing relay teams in Male, Female, and Co-Ed categories; all relay teams compete together.
Event numbers include approximate course details. The half marathon is about 13.1 miles with roughly 850 feet of elevation gain and about 12.8 miles of single track. The 50 kilometer is about 31.5 miles with roughly 2,400 feet of elevation gain and about 30 miles of single track. Time limits are listed for each distance.
Packet pick up is held at Fonta Flora's Whippoorwill Farm on the Friday evening before the race and at the start area on race mornings. All runners must check in before the race.
Nearby lodging options include two campgrounds within five miles at Lake James State Park and multiple hotels in Morganton, about a 20 minute drive from the start. The event also holds a costume contest during the race with winners receiving a free entry to a Tanawha Adventures race in the 2026 calendar.
About the organizer: Tanawha Adventures allocates a substantial percentage of event profits to conservation and partners with local groups to support trails and public lands. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
