Photo Ignacio Moreira / Unsplash
- Half
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest Half Marathon
Run the Oktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K!
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2027 edition
Next up
Countdown
334
days to 2 Oct 2027
- Distance
- Half Marathon
- Course
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- Climb
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- Entry
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About
The race
Run the Oktoberfest Half Marathon! Celebrate autumn, craft beer & running with a half marathon in the mountains of North Carolina. Start and finish at Hi-Wire Brewing’s River Arts District Beer Garden, 284 Lyman St. Asheville. Experience the true essence of autumn in Asheville, North Carolina, as you indulge in a delightful celebration of craft beer and running at the Oktoberfest Half Marathon. After a catastrophic 2024 race day that saw 30 feet of water cover the majority of our race course, we rebounded beautifully in 2025. Come be a part of it!! Join us on October 3rd, 2026, for an unforgettable experience at the Oktoberfest Half Marathon, and savor the perfect blend of autumn magic, craft beer, and the thrill of running. Register now and secure your spot in this must-attend event, proudly brought to you by Kick It Event Management! Course is USATF Certified Brand new course were plotted in 2025 due to the damage done to the River ARts District in 2024. We love our new course and you will too.
Location
Asheville, NC, United States
North America · typically 15°C (59°F) on race day
Open in OpenStreetMapBefore you go
Pro tips
Racing it
- 01
Cool Morning Start
With a 07:30 start and a typical race-day temperature of 15.2°C, expect a cool morning. Wear disposable layers or plan a warm-up that keeps you warm before the gun.
From the start time, temperature
- 02
Loop Course Logistics
The loop layout means you start and finish at the same spot: Hi-Wire Brewing’s River Arts District Beer Garden. You can leave a bag or meet friends there without worrying about transport between points.
From the layout, description
- 03
Mountain Terrain
The race is in the mountains of North Carolina, but no elevation profile is published. Be ready to adjust effort if you hit climbs or descents you didn't expect.
From the description
- 04
New Course Since 2025
The course was newly plotted in 2025 after flood damage, so don't rely on older maps or past race reports. Study the current course info before race day.
From the description
- 05
Direct Entry
There's no ballot, so you can register directly without a lottery. That means you can commit early and plan your training around the race date.
From the entry
In Asheville
Getting Around
Downtown Asheville and the River Arts District get busy on race morning. Use the city's greenways or walk if you're nearby, and expect road closures around the start and finish.
Spectator Views
Spectators can watch from the River Arts District, where the loop course brings runners past multiple times. Between laps, they can explore the district's galleries and riverfront.
Post-Race Recovery
After the race, recover with a walk along the French Broad River or through a downtown park. Asheville's relaxed mountain vibe makes it easy to unwind.
Written by AI from the course data and the race's description; city tips are general knowledge. Check race-day details with the organizer.
Every year