Ironclad Half Marathon
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Mother Earth Brewing Ironclad Half Marathon and 5K : Kinston, NC (October 17, 2026)
The Mother Earth Brewing Ironclad Half Marathon and 5K is organized by Ironclad Races Inc., a Kinston-based nonprofit that donates event proceeds to local charities. The event is presented in partnership with Mother Earth Brewing, local businesses, volunteers, and an event board that aim to highlight the historic and cultural features of Kinston.
The event offers the following distances:
- 13.1 mile Half Marathon
- 5K
Registration pricing for the half marathon is tiered by date: $85 on opening day (January 2), $95 from January 3 to March 31, $100 from April 1 to July 31, and $110 from August 1 to October 15. 5K pricing is $45 on opening day and through March 31, and $50 from April 1 to October 15. Registration closes Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Proceeds benefit many local organizations. Named beneficiaries include HOPE Restorations, Hugo Volunteer Fire Department, Mary’s Soup Kitchen, S.A.F.E. Kinston, smART Kinston, Community Council for the Arts, Lenoir County Community Foundation, and others. The event has also collaborated with Mother Earth Foundation and Sound Rivers on installation of a Trash Trap on the Neuse River.
Participant counts reported by year include: 2019 : 410 half and 378 5K (788 total); 2020 (virtual) : 91 half and 79 5K (170 total); 2022 : 311 half and 236 5K (547 total); 2023 : 317 half and 303 5K (620 total); 2024 : 344 half and 284 5K (628 total); 2025 : 283 half and 338 5K (621 total). Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
