Fonta Flora 50K and Half Marathon
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Event Overview
The Fonta Flora 50k and Half Marathon takes place at Lake James State Park in Nebo, North Carolina. The event is organized by Tanawha Adventures and features a course consisting primarily of single-track trails along the banks of Lake James. The race starts and finishes at Fonta Flora Brewery's Whippoorwill Farm, located near Shortoff Mountain and the Linville Gorge. Portions of the event proceeds are dedicated to the development of local trails, including the Fonta Flora State Trail.
Distance Options
Participants can choose from several race formats:
- 50k: Approximately 31.5 miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain.
- 50k 2 Person Relay: Team legs are roughly 13.5 and 18.5 miles.
- 50k 3 Person Relay: Team legs are roughly 13.5, 12.5, and 6 miles.
- Half Marathon: Approximately 13.1 miles with 850 feet of elevation gain.
Course Details
The 50k course includes 30 miles of single-track trail, 0.75 miles of pavement, and 0.75 miles of gravel, with a time limit of 9.5 hours. The Half Marathon consists of 12.8 miles of single-track trail and 0.3 miles of pavement, with a time limit of 3.5 hours. The terrain features rolling trails intended to provide mountain scenery without steep mountainous climbs.
Logistics
Packet pick-up is available on the Friday evening before the race weekend at the brewery, or at the start/finish area on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Accommodations in the area include drive-in and hike-in campgrounds at Lake James State Park, as well as hotels in Morganton. As the event takes place during Halloween weekend, a costume contest is held for participants who complete the entire race in costume. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
