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Fonta Flora Brewery, Nebo, NC

Saturday, April 12th & 13th, 2025 – Registration Opening 11/29/2024!
Half Marathon 8:30AM | 7 Miler 9:00AM | 5k 9:15AM

April 12 & 13, 2025 | Fonta Flora Whippoorwill Farm | Nebo, NC

The Lake James Half Marathon, 7 Miler & 5k races start and finish at Fonta Flora’s charming Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, NC and take runners on the beautiful trails of Lake James State Park. With stunning views and light rolling hills, both courses are perfect for either a trail beginner or a seasoned runner.

NEW THIS YEAR! 2 DAY EVENT! 5k RACE OPTIONS BOTH DAYS!

Saturday, April 12 Half Marathon & 5k: The Half Marathon starts at 8:30AM and the 5k starts at 9:15AM.

Sunday, April 13 7 Miler & 5k: The 7 Miler starts at 9AM and the 5k starts at 9:15AM.

Bundle your registration for one event on both days and save 10%!

Race Registration includes a Finisher medal, commemorative race shirt, Fonta Flora beer on us (21+), & a donation to the Lake James Environmental Association the Catawba Riverkeeper.

All races are chip timed and are rain or shine. Dogs and strollers are not allowed for all races, but are welcome to stay back at the brewery! There is a 3.5HR course limit for the Half Marathon and 2HR course limit for the 7 Miler.

REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE

Events Nov 29 – Jan 31Feb 1 – Mar 2 March 3 – April 11
Half Marathon$75$80$85
7 Miler$55$60$65
5k$45$50$55
Half Marathon (SATURDAY) & 5k (SUNDAY)$108$117$126
Half Marathon (SATURDAY) & 7 Miler (SUNDAY)$117$126$135
5k (SATURDAY) & 5k (SUNDAY)$81$90$99

Non Profit Partner

Catawba Riverkeeper is the only non-profit, on-the-water advocate for the entire 8,900 miles of waterways in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin. They provide accurate, science-based information about your water and the issues affecting it.

Non Profit Partner

Lake James Environmental Association’s mission is to protect and enhance the long-term environmental health and natural beauty of Lake James and its watershed. The Lake James Half Marathon, 7 Miler & 5k proudly supports LJEA.

Event Schedule

Early Packet Pick Up 4/11/25

4-6PM at Mountain Running Company –  4 S Tunnel Rd Suite 230, Asheville, NC 28805

Online registration CLOSES 12PM

Saturday 4/12 

7:30AM-9:00AM Packet Pick Up

8:30AM Half Marathon Race Start (3.5 Hour Course Limit)

9:15AM 5k Race Start

10:15AM Tentative 5k Awards

11:30AM Tentative Half Marathon Awards

Sunday 4/13

8:00AM-9:00AM Packet Pick Up

9AM 7 Miler Race Start (2 Hour Course Limit)

9:15AM 5k Race Start

10:15AM Tentative 5k Awards

10:30AM Tentative 7 Miler Awards

Awards

Half Marathon, 7 Miler & 5k Top Awards

1st Place Male & Female $50 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award

2nd Place Male & Female $35 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award

3rd Place Male & Female $25 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award

Top Male & Female Masters (40+) $15 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award

Top Male & Female Grand Masters (50+) $15 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award

Age Group Awards

Fonta Flora pint glasses for Age Group awards will be given out to the top 3 male and female times in the following categories.

19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 & Up.

Virtual runners are not eligible for an award.

Half Marathon Course Description

Runners will start by looping the Fonta Flora Brewery field to spread out the group before entering the single track trail. After ~1.2 miles, runners will cross over the Lake James State Park road with aid from course marshals and enter Paddy’s Creek Trail. Roads will not be closed so pay attention to vehicles.

At ~1 mile, runners will cross the road with course marshal help to enter the Paddy’s Creek Trail. At mile ~2.2, runners will briefly cross the beach on the Mills Creek Trail and continue into the single track trail. Around mile 4.9, runners will turn right onto the Lake James State Park Road.

After mile ~5.4, runners will turn right into the Wimba Parking lot (aid station) and will turn right on the West Wimba trail. Runners will follow the West Wimba trail loop and return to the parking lot. Runners will turn right onto Lake James State Park Road and follow the road back to the Overmountain Victory Trail.

Runners will turn right onto Over Mountain Victory Trail. A sharp right from the trail onto the gravel road, sharp left will lead to the finish line. The gravel road to the runner parking will not be closed, please pay attention to vehicles. There is a 3.5 hour course aid limit.

There is 930ft of elevation gain in the Half Marathon. 

Half Marathon Course Map

7 Mile Course Description

Runners will start by looping the Fonta Flora Brewery field to spread out the group before entering the single track trail. After ~1.2 miles, runners will cross over the Lake James State Park road with aid from course marshals and enter Paddy’s Creek Trail. Roads will not be closed so pay attention to vehicles.

At ~2 miles, runners will veer left to follow Mills Creek Trail and cross the Lake James State Park Road with aid from course marshals a ~2.5 miles. Roads will not be closed so pay attention to vehicles. The trail will drop into the beach portion at ~4.7 miles where there will be an aid station.

Runners will follow signage to Paddy’s Creek trail and continue straight until Lake James State Park road. Runners will cross road with aid station course marshals and turn left onto Over Mountain Victory Trail. At ~7.3 miles the trail will end at Fonta Flora Brewery. A sharp right, sharp left will lead to the finish line. The gravel road to the runner parking will not be closed, please pay attention to vehicles. There is a 2 hour course aid limit.

There is 425ft of elevation gain in the 7 miler.

7 Miler Course Map

5k Course Description

Runners will start by looping the Fonta Flora Brewery field to spread out the group before entering the single track Overmountain Victory Trail. After ~1.2 miles, runners will turn left into Paddys Creek parking lot and entering the Discovery Trail Loop. The course turns right and follows the Discovery loop, a single track gravel trail for ~1 mile. There will be an aid station at this parking lot.

After the Discovery loop, runners will leave the Paddys Creek parking lot and turn right back to follow the Overmountain Victory Trail. At ~3 miles the trail will end at Fonta Flora Brewery. A sharp right, sharp left will lead to the finish line. The gravel road to the runner parking will not be closed, please pay attention to vehicles.

5k Course Map

Event Site & Parking

There is a main parking lot for Fonta Flora that will be open to runner parking but will fill up fast. There is an overflow gravel/grass parking lot adjacent to Fonta Flora for extra parking. We highly encourage carpooling! Look out for “EVENT PARKING” signs & volunteer directions.

The road to the runner parking lots will be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic at 8:55AM/9:10AM and be opened only when the races have started and runners have cleared the road.

REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY

Kick It Event Management (Kick It Events) & Lake James Races have a no refund policy. Our team works year round to produce our high quality events. Even if the event is canceled we have incurred expenses with planning of the event that are non-refundable. Please see the guidelines below.

The Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection Program.

  • Adding on the Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection Program is a service provided outside of Kick It Events.
  • This purchase is subject to the Protecht Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before purchasing.
  • Kick It Events DOES NOT promise a refund with the purchase of the Race Roster Enhanced Protection Program.

Refunds

  • No refunds will be given if you signed up for this race by accident. Double check the city, date and time BEFORE registering.
  • There are no refunds for injury or illness.
  • There are no refunds for work or event conflicts.
  • There will be NO REFUNDS if the event needs to be postponed.
  • If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund.
  • We do not allow deferrals.

Postponement

  • In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed at the race directors discretion. There will be NO REFUNDS if the event needs to be postponed.
  • Inclement weather determination is at the discretion of the race directors. We are looking for dangerous conditions for our runners and volunteers or an impassable race course.
  • The postponement announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather we reserve the right to postpone the race up until race morning. A Postponement announcement will be by 5am race morning.
  • If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund. We will do our best with a virtual event or socially distanced race. Please understand that we purchase your race items months ahead of time and we will get these items to you if the event is canceled last minute.
  • Race postponement will be emailed out to runners using the email used during registration, posted on the race website (https://kickitevents.com/lake-james-races/) as well as posted on our social media platforms.
  • In the event the race is postponed and you would like your race swag mailed to you, you will be required to pay the shipping cost for your race bib and race swag.
  • Race updates will be sent to the email address you registered with. Always make sure that your email is correct. In the event that the postponement date needs to be canceled, there will not be another postponement and there will not be any refunds.

Cancelation

  • In the event the race needs to be canceled there will be no refunds.
  • The cancellation announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather we reserve the right to cancel the race up until race morning.
  • We will always try to postpone the race if needed but sometimes permitting, weather etc does not allow for a postponement.
  • If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund. We will do our best with a virtual event or socially distanced race. Please understand that we purchase your race items months ahead of time and we will get these items to you if the event is canceled last minute.
  • Race cancellation will be emailed out to runners using the email used during registration, posted on the race website (https://kickitevents.com/lake-james-races/) as well as posted on our social media platforms.
  • Race updates will be sent to the email address you registered with. Always make sure that your email is correct.

Transfers

  • You may transfer your registration to being a virtual runner up to 5 days before the event using the transfer button on the registration page.
  • You may transfer your registration to another runner or to a different distance up to 5 days before the event using the transfer button on the registration page.
  • After the 5 day cut off please reach out to Info@kickitevents.com for help with transferring