South Mountains Marathons
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About the race
South Mountains Marathons on January 9, 2027 is a trail running event organized by Tanawha Adventures at South Mountains State Park near Connelly Springs, NC. The event this year focuses on the half marathon distance while longer distances are paused due to limited access to backcountry aid stations.
The half marathon covers 12.9 miles with approximately 2,600 feet of elevation gain. The course uses roughly 12.4 miles of trail and 0.5 miles of pavement, includes two creek crossings, and is supported by one full aid station. Some park trails remain closed because of lingering damage, and the half marathon route includes several new overlooks not previously used in the race.
The organizer describes the terrain as steep in places with notable climbs and cold footing possible in winter conditions. The stated time limit for the half is 4.5 hours. If severe ice or snow makes the date unsafe, the race may be postponed to January 24th; if the event must be canceled for other reasons and cannot be rescheduled on January 25th or 26th, the organizer may run a virtual version on the actual course.
Registration closes January 7 at 11:59 PM ET. Refunds follow the published schedule: 75% of entry fee to October 15, 50% to December 15, and no refunds after that. Transfers and deferments are not allowed. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
