South Mountains Marathons
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
About the race
The South Mountains Marathons are a collection of trail races held in South Mountains State Park in North Carolina. The event typically includes multiple distances, and the courses feature a mix of wide double track and tight technical single track, steep grades, many stairs, and multiple creek crossings. For 2026 the event will be held only as a half marathon because of trail closures in the park.
Distances normally offered include:
- 31.3 miles approximately 7,500 feet elevation gain
- 26.5 miles approximately 6,000 feet elevation gain
- 12.9 miles approximately 2,600 feet elevation gain
Course details vary by distance. The 50k and marathon list five and four aid stations respectively, while the half marathon uses one full aid station with a cutoff at Aid 1. Full aid stations provide at minimum water, Gatorade, and assorted soft drinks, plus snacks such as bananas, chips, pretzels, cookies, candy, Goldfish, trail mix, and PB&J. The event notes time limits for each distance.
Registration opens August 15 and there is a limit of 200 entrants per day. Half marathon entry fees are listed with pricing tiers and a tiered refund schedule; transfers and deferments are not allowed. If the in-person race is canceled, organizers may run the event as a virtual run on the course on rescheduled dates; virtual runs do not qualify for refunds or transfers.
Awards include hand made awards for top three overall men and women and hand crafted ceramic finisher medals by a local artist. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
