
From the Organizer
A North Carolina / Blue Ridge Mountain Marathon Experience! North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and the spectacular New River valley are the backdrop for the New River Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K. The New River, one of only 14 American Heritage Rivers, is framed with views of horse farms, Christmas tree farms, the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and the spectacular surrounding river valley.
Experience why runners are raving:
“I can honestly say New River Marathon is my absolute favorite race~the course is stunning and the people are genuinely kind!” (50 Stater)
“It’s like a jog through the Garden of Eden!”
“Only Big Sur rivals the beauty of the New River Marathon!”
“One of the most spectacular scenic courses in the land!”
Wooden finisher medallions locally crafted from Blue Ridge Mountain wood, locally crafted awards, Stick Boy Bread Co. Kitchen finisher goodies and much more. USATF certified.
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New River Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
May 15, 2026