Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K
- Date
- April 3, 2027
- Distance
- 5K · Half Marathon
From the Organizer
The 2027 Catamount Climb Half Marathon and 5K will be hosted on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC along the banks of the Tuckasegee River. The 5K course is completely on campus and navigates through the heart of campus with moderate elevation change. The half marathon course starts on campus, and then heads off campus for a few miles before returning back to campus for the finish line.
The Catamount Climb Half Marathon and 5K (formerly known as Valley of the Lilies) is hosted by the Western Carolina University School of Health Sciences and the Department of Campus Recreation & Wellness. All race proceeds go to support student professional development and academic scholarships.
Race Packets
Each registered participant will receive a race packet that includes a race t-shirt, a race bib, and various coupons and other sponsorship materials. Finisher Medals will be given to all half-marathon finishers as well.
Packet Pick Up will occur the day before the race on April 2nd, 2027 3pm-7pm at the WCU Campus Recreation Center, and the morning of the race on April 3rd, 2027 6:30am - 7:30am at the WCU Campus Recreation Center.
Awards
Each registered participant will receive a race packet that includes a race t-shirt, a race bib, and various coupons and other sponsorship materials.
Half Marathon
Finisher medals are awarded to all half marathon finishers. Awards, which are custom placing medals, are given to the overall male and female winner, overall master's male and female winner, as well as the top three male and female in each age group: 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.
5K
Awards, which are custom medals, are given to the overall male and female winner, overall master's male and female winner, as well as the top three male and female in each age group: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
67°
Typical Low
38°
Chance of Rain
37%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Cullowhee, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Cullowhee, NC
Elevation
3,009 ft
Nearest Airport
AVL
Asheville Regional Airport · 37 mi
Major Hub
TYS
McGhee Tyson Airport · 62 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
299
Days to train
- Race
- Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K
- Date
- April 3, 2027
Coming Up
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14 miles away
Highlands Twilight 5K
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From Endurance Grid
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.
Running
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K?
- Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K is a running race held in Cullowhee, North Carolina on April 3, 2027. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K?
- Saturday, April 3, 2027 in Cullowhee, North Carolina at 379 Memorial Drive, Cullowhee, NC. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K
Apr 3, 2027