South Mountains Marathons
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Event overview
The South Mountains Marathons are a collection of trail races held in South Mountains State Park in North Carolina. For 2026 the event is limited to a half marathon only, due to trail closures from Hurricane Helene. The half marathon is scheduled for January 10, 2026. The event is organized by Tanawha Adventures and supports the Foothills Conservancy.
Course details and aid
The half marathon distance is 12.9 miles with approximately 2,600 feet of elevation gain. The route includes about 12.4 miles of trail and 0.5 mile of pavement, and contains two creek crossings. The course mixes wide double-track and tighter single-track trails and includes significant climbing. There is one full aid station located at about 5.5 miles. Aid station supplies include water, sports drink, assorted soft drinks, bananas, potato chips, pretzels, cookies, candy, Goldfish, trail mix, and PB&J.
Entry, limits, and awards
Registration opens August 15. There is a limit of 200 entrants per day and registration closes on January 8. Early entry pricing and later pricing are noted on the event page. Refunds are available on a sliding scale before specific deadlines; transfers and deferments are not allowed. Top three overall male and female finishers receive hand-made awards. All finishers receive hand-crafted ceramic medals. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.