Strawberry Jam Half Marathon

Half Marathon

December 1, 2022-March 31, 2023 – $70
February 11-April 30 – $80
May 1 – Race Day – $90

Friday, May 19 – 4:00-6:00 PM – Darnell Farms (2300 Governors Island Rd, Bryson City, NC)

Saturday, May 20 – 5:30-6:45 AM – Darnell Farms (2300 Governors Island Rd, Bryson City, NC)

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.

Swag

All runners registered by May 6 are guaranteed to receive a race shirt.  Any registrations after this date will be based on availability.

All finishers will receive a commemorative finisher medal.

Spectators

Spectators are welcome at the event and the festival at Darnell Farms, which begins at 11:00 AM.

Glory Hound Events Half Marathon Challenge, Presented by Marlene Clevenger-Premier/Sothesby’s Realty

The Strawberry Jam Half Marathon is one of four races in the Glory Hound Events Half Marathon Challenge, Presented by Marlene Clevenger-Premier/Sothesby’s Realty.  Complete all of our 2023 half marathons and you will get all sorts of cool things, including cash.  Read more about it HERE. 

After you finish your race, we will have bottled water, protein bars, and fresh strawberries.

The half marathon Awards Ceremony will start at approximately 10:30 AM at the stage adjacent to the finish line.

The annual Strawberry Jam Festival will begin at 11:00 AM.

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

Age group awards will go to the first, second and third male and female in the following age groups: 15 & Under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over. No double dipping!

Please plan on being present for the awards ceremony or make arrangements for someone else to pick up your award.

The race will utilize chip timing. A timing chip will be on the back of your race bib, which should be worn on your front and visible at all times during the race.

We love dogs but they are not permitted inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for an event.  For that reason, dogs are not permitted at the Strawberry Jam Half Marathon.

There will be a designated area at Darnell Farms for race parking on race morning.  Follow the signs and directions of farm staff to the designated area.

The Swain County Tourism Development Authority has a NO REFUND policy.

Transfers

To transfer your registration to another person please follow these steps:

1. Click on ‘My Account’ when logged into EnMotive
2. Go to your “Registrations” view and find the Registration you’d like to Transfer
3. Click on the action icon in the top right corner of the registration field
4. Select ‘Transfer Registration’
5. Enter the email address of the person you want to transfer the registration to
6. That individual will receive an email notifying them of the transfer, and they’ll be instructed on how to accept it

• The transfer will only be valid for 48 hours, so be sure they accept quickly!

Transfers may be made up to the end of online registration but please allow time for the other person to accept it.

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.

2023 Half Marathon Overall Results

2023 Half Marathon Age Group Results

2022 Half Marathon Overall Results

2022 Half Marathon Age Group Results

Would you still like to be part of this great event but don’t want to run? Volunteering is the perfect way to do that. We have spots available as course marshals and at the course aid stations. Please email visitorservices@explorebrysoncity.com if you are interested in volunteering yourself or have a group that wants to staff one of our aid stations.