Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon/7K
- Date
- October 18, 2026
- Distance
- Half Marathon Trail Run · 7K Trail Run · Virtual Race
From the Organizer
The Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon and 7K offer runners a challenging and scenic experience deep within one of West Virginia’s most iconic natural areas. Set entirely inside Kanawha State Forest, this race takes you along winding forest roads and wooded routes surrounded by dense trees, rolling terrain, and the quiet atmosphere of the hills. The race will start and finish near the Gift Shop, with a scheduled 9AM start time.
Participants can choose between the Half Marathon for a longer, more demanding effort or the 7K for a shorter but still challenging run. As part of the Cryptid Race Series, this event blends forest adventure with local legend and history. Whether you are racing hard or enjoying the atmosphere, this event delivers a memorable fall running experience.
Shirts guaranteed to everyone who registers by October 8th at Midnight. After this time all extras will be first-come, first-served until supplies run out.
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
68°
Typical Low
44°
Chance of Rain
33%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Charleston Yeager Ap, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Charleston, WV
Population
47,918
as of 2023
Elevation
600 ft
Nearest Airport
CRW
Yeager Airport · 2 mi
Major Hub
CMH
John Glenn Columbus International Airport · 133 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon/7K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
132
Days to train
- Race
- Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon/7K
- Date
- October 18, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Charleston, WV
Childhood Language Center's Firecracker 5K Run/Walk
5K
Less than a mile away
Almost Heaven 5K
5K
12 miles away
Charleston Distance Run
Less than a mile away
Leah's Legacy
Less than a mile away
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 Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon/7K?
- Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon/7K is a running race held in Charleston, West Virginia on October 18, 2026. 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 Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon/7K?
- Sunday, October 18, 2026 in Charleston, West Virginia at 7500 Kanawha State Forest Dr, Charleston, WV. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon/7K?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon/7K
Oct 18, 2026