Fonta Flora 50k
& Half Marathon
ABOUT
The Fonta Flora 50k and Half Marathon will be held along the trails and banks of Lake James State Park in North Carolina. Come and enjoy the gentle rolling trails along the shores of Lake James and experience lake and mountain scenery without mountainous trails. Each race will start and finish at Fonta Flora Brewery's Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, NC in the shadow of Shortoff Mountain and the Linville Gorge. After you finish this beautiful race, be sure to enjoy a pint at the brewery!
Date & Time
50k: December 14th, 2024
Half: December 15th, 2024
50k Check in Begins: 7:00 AM
50k Check in Ends: 7:45 AM
Half Check in Begins: 8:00 AM
Half Check in Ends: 9:45 AM
50k Start: 8:00 AM, Saturday
Half Start: 10:00 AM, Sunday
Location: Fonta Flora Brewery
Whippoorwill Farm
Registration & Entry Fees
Registration opens March 29th at 8am.
Half: $75 - March 29th-May 31st
$85 - June 1st-Dec 12th
50k: $95 - March 29th-May 31st
$105 - June 1st-Dec 12th
75% Refunds granted until July 15th.
50% refund granted until September 10th.
Afterward, no refunds will be given.
No transfers or deferments at any time.
Awards
Top three M & F overalls receive:
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Hand-made award from local artist
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Gift Certificate to Mountain Running Company
Top M & F Masters (40+) receive:
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Gift Certiicates to Mountain Running Company
All finishers receive our beautiful handmade pottery finisher medal made by local artist Hannah Thrower!
Course Information
The Numbers
Half Marathon:
Elevation Gain: ~ 800 feet
Time Limit: 3.5 hours
Miles of Single Track Trail: ~ 12.5 miles
Miles of Pavement: ~ 0.7 miles
50K:
Elevation Gain: ~ 2,400 feet
Time Limit: 9.5 hours
Miles of Single Track Trail: ~ 30 miles
Miles of Gravel: ~ 0.75 mile
Miles of Pavement: ~ 0.75 miles
Course Description
Both races will start in a big field with mountain views into the Linville Gorge to thin out runners and then will hit a nice stretch of steam side singletrack. You will then hit the rolling mountain bike trails through dense forest, before spending the rest of the day on beautiful singletrack along the banks of Lake James. You will then run the stream side section of trail back to the Whippoorwill Farm and beer!!! The 50k will add a bit of gravel and seven miles of butter new trail on the Fonta Flora State Trail with excellent views of the lake and surrounding mountains!
Aid Stations
Half:
Aid 1: 7.2 miles - 12:00 pm cutoff
50k:
Aid 1: 7.1 miles - 10:00 am cutoff
Aid 2: 13.8 miles - 12:00 pm cutoff
Aid 3: 21.7 miles - 2:00 pm cutoff
Aid 4: 26.2 miles - 3:30 pm cutoff
Aid stations will have at a minimum: Water, Gatorade (flavor varies by station) and assorted soft drinks. Pre-packaged Foods include: potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, M&Ms, snickers, gummy bears, granola bars, bananas.
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Extra Information
Packet Pick Up
Early Packet pick up will be held at Fonta Flora Whippoorwill Farm (same as start) in Nebo from 4:00-7:00pm, Friday evening before race day. Come swing buy and enjoy a drink and some camaraderie with fellow runners while your there at this amazing brewery!
Race Day packet pick up will be held at the Start/Finish (the farm) from 7:00 - 7:45a on Saturday and 8am to 9:45am on Sunday . We'd prefer to have you pick up early.
All runners must check in before race.
Where to Stay
If you prefer the great outdoors to hotels, Lake James State Park has two stellar campgrounds within 5 miles of the start. One is drive in car camping and the other is walk in, however the walk in sites are a very short walk and are basically car camping. Plus, they have really nice views of the Lake. More information can be found here.
If looking for more cozy accommodations? Well, you can find great information on hotels, AirB&B's, and more here.
Rules
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Stay on marked trails
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Do not cut switch backs
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No alcohol allowed within park boundaries
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Be courteous to other trails users
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No littering
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Obey any race official's request
Maps and Sponsors
50 Kilometer Map
Half Marathon Map
