Geyser Growl Half Marathon, Presented by Hillman Beer

Name: Geyser Growl Half Marathon, Presented by Hillman Beer
Start: 2026-10-17T08:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-10-17T12:00:00-04:00
Location: Lake Tomahawk Park

October 17 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Welcome to the fifth running of the Geyser Growl Half Marathon, Presented by Hillman Beer. This fun and scenic race during peak leaf season will take runners from the bucolic Town of Black Mountain to the revitalized Town of Old Fort, passing the historic Andrews Geyser along the way. We will finish at Hillman Beer Old Fort with hot soup and cold beer. This race has grown rapidly, fast becoming one of the most popular fall half marathons in the region. Come join us!

Race Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 – 8:00 AM

Registration

Registration for the 2026 race will open on Thursday, January 1 and will close on Thursday, October 15 at 9:00 PM or whenever it sells out.

Race Capacity:

The race is limited to 500 participants

Details

Date:: October 17
Time:: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Event Category:: Half Marathon

Online Registration

Venue

: Lake Tomahawk Park
: 401 Laurel Circle Dr
Black Mountain, 28711 United States + Google Map

Race Information

Entry Fees

Packet Pickup/Late Registration

Event Schedule

Friday, October 16

4:00-6:00 PM – Packet Pickup/Late Registration – TBD

Saturday, October 17

6:00-7:30 AM – Packet Pickup/Late Registration – Lake Tomahawk Park Pavilion (401 Laurel Circle Drive, Black Mountain)

6:30 AM – Shuttle leaves from Old Fort (must have purchased a spot)

8:00 AM – Half Marathon Start – Lake Tomahawk

10:30 AM – First shuttle leaves for Black Mountain (must have purchased a spot)

10:30 AM – Awards Ceremony (Approximate time)

11:30 AM – Final shuttle leaves for Black Mountain (must have purchased a spot)

Course(s)

After departing beautiful Lake Tomahawk Park, the first 2 miles of the course takes runners around Black Mountain before heading up Old US 70 to the crest at the Ridgecrest Conference Center. From there it is downhill on a combination of dirt and paved road, pass the Andrews Geyser, before heading into Old Fort where the race will finish at Hillman Beer’s Old Fort location.

There are six aid stations on the course, located approximately every two miles. Supplies are as follows:

Station 1 – Water only

Station 2 – Water and Gatorade

Station 3 – Water only

Station 4 – Water, Gatorade, Cookies

Station 5 – Water, Gatorade, Cookies

Station 6 – Water, Gatorade

This course is USATF Certified (Certification No. NC22020BDS). Click HERE to see the course map and turn-by-turn directions.

Elevation Chart

Time Limit

All half marathon runners have 3:30 hours to complete the course in order to be provided full police protection and aid station support. Those still on the course at this time will be asked to stay to sidewalks and follow traffic rules. Race officials will stay with all runners on the course to make sure they arrive to the finish line safely.

Additional Info.

Swag

All runners registered by October 7 are guaranteed to receive the official race shirt. After October 7, shirts will be provided as available.

Shuttles

Please see below in Parking for information on ticketed shuttle buses to Black Mountain and from Old Fort. You must purchase a ticket to ride either of the shuttles. This can be done during registration or prior to the race (based on availability).

Bag Drop

We will offer a bag drop near the start line (look for Bag Drop flag near the Penske truck) where you can leave a small bag with your bag drop bib stub attached. We will have it for you beyond the finish line once you reach Old Fort.

Photos

Race Photos, Courtesy of Paul King

Post Race

After your race you will have access to snacks, water, Gatorade and – back by popular demand – hot soup. In addition, all runners over 21 will be able to exchange the ticket on their bib for one Hillman beer .

The parking lot at Hillman will be roped off to allow both runners to gather and cars to park for both Hillman and other businesses. Please stay on the finish line side at all times.

Awards

Each finisher will receive a commemorative finisher medal.

Special awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers for
Overall finishers and the top three male and female Masters (40 & Over).

Age group awards will go to the first, second and third male and female in the following age groups: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-6 and 70 & Over. No double dipping!

The award ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 AM near the finish line.

Timing

Dogs

Parking

Runners have two options for parking for this race: (1) Park in Black Mountain in one of our designated spots and get a ride back after the race or (2) Park in Old Fort near the finish area and get a ride to the start line.

To assist you with these rides we will be offering shuttle rides to the start and from the finish line for $15 each way. You may purchase a shuttle ticket during registration and will be asked if you want to ride the shuttle pre-race or post-race.

If you did not purchase a shuttle ride when you registered, you can add it up until they are sold out. To do this, to to this link: https://raceroster.com/store/99111/listing

From there, you will need to enter your confirmation number and last name. If you have trouble finding this information, you can reach out to support@raceroster.com, or call +1 855 969 5515, and the Race Roster support team can provide you with this information.

Once you enter this, you can add the product to their cart, and will be taken through billing. The product will then be attached to your registration.

Pre-Race Shuttle from Old Fort to Start Line – Departs at 6:30 AM

Post-Race Shuttle from Old Fort to parking areas – Departs at 10:30 and 11:30 AM

We have 2 buses reserved for 2024, which means 88 slots are available for both directions.

Black Mountain Designated Parking Areas

Lake Tomahawk

St. Jame’s Episcopal Church (424 West State Street)

BLACK MOUNTAIN PARKING MAP

Old Fort Parking Area

Designated parking lots on Commerce Street, behind the Visitor’s Center on Water Street, and at the old mill between Water Street and South Railroad Street.

OLD FORT PARKING MAP

Cancellations & Transfers

Glory Hound Events has a NO REFUND/NO DEFERRAL policy for this event.

Transfers

You may transfer your registration to another person. There will be a $2 processing fee per transfer.

To transfer your registration to another person please log into Race Roster and select Transfer where prompted. All transfers must be completed by Thursday, October 16 at 9:00 PM.

This is the only way transfers or the selling of bibs between participants will be allowed. Anyone who is discovered to have purchased or accepted another person’s bib without submitting this form will be disqualified and banned from future races.

Results