Both courses will start at Darnell Farms just outside of Bryson City.
The half marathon course has been redesigned for 2023. This improved route will include a 1-mile loop at Darnell Farms then follow US 19 through Bryson City. Runners will go twice through the outer edge of Deep Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park before following a section of the Tuckeseegee River and then to the finish at Darnell Farms.
There is one point after leaving the Park that the course splits. One your first trip, follow the signs to Mile 8. On your second and final trip, follow the signs to Mile 11/Finish.
Please be aware there is significant washout in one place on Old River Road (around mile 12.5) that will cause you to slow down and proceed carefully.
Aid stations on the half marathon course will be located approximately every two miles. Water stations 1 & 2 will have water-only: stations 3-5 will have water and Gatorade and station 4 (which you will see twice) will have individual packets of salty pretzels.
Click HERE to see the Half Marathon turn-by-turn directions
Click HERE to see the Half Marathon course map.
Time Limit
All half marathon runners have 3 hours 30 minutes 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 yield to vehicles and follow traffic rules. Race officials will stay with all runners on the course to make sure they arrive to the finish line safely.