Downhill at Dawn Half Marathon
Black Mountain, NC
- Half Marathon
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Downhill @ Dawn Half Marathon runs from Ridgecrest to Old Fort on a combination of paved and forested gravel roads. The course offers incredible views from the wooded mountains to beautiful streams and rivers, you will also run by the Old Geyser Park. Starting at 6:01 AM, runners escape … MORE
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(Net) Downhill at Dawn
The name gets your hopes up (all downhill?) and in the end delivers nicely if not totally. The course starts at Ridgecrest Conference Center with a 4 mile out and … MORE
The name gets your hopes up (all downhill?) and in the end delivers nicely if not totally. The course starts at Ridgecrest Conference Center with a 4 mile out and back segment west towards the town of Black Mountain. It’s downhill out and since it takes a little different route back, the uphill wasn’t as bad as it might have been. Then, from Ridgecrest east to the end in Old Fort, it is about as downhill as it can be, a few small ups near the end, and a cruel uphill driveway into the parking lot with the finish, but nothing bad. My watch had a total ascent of 410 ft and descent of 1,644 ft. It was very scenic running thru Appalachia, especially the downhill segment. Aid stations and portapotties every 2 miles (except mile 8, only aid station, they warned you at the start). The town of Old Fort makes for a scenic finish, there were bananas and other things but we went across the street to a cinnamon roll/coffee shop (next door to the owner/operator’s former grandparents’ house, where he lives now). There were shuttles back to the start but I didn’t use it so I can’t comment.
We stayed at the conference center the night before, so we had access to the restaurants in Black Mountain, and a short walk to the start in the morning.
Swag was a long sleeve tech shirt, a medal with the state’s outline, race name, and date, and a sticker for the race in the shape of NC. The production was excellent and it’s easy to see why this race sells out it’s cap of 350. Very recommendable.
NOT all downhill
The first 4-miles we’re rolling down an up hill so I would not say this is completely downhill. According to my Garmin the downhill did not start until 4ish mile. … MORE
The first 4-miles we’re rolling down an up hill so I would not say this is completely downhill. According to my Garmin the downhill did not start until 4ish mile. When the downhill started it was awesome. There was no transportation provided back to the start line that was a disappointment since I feel like my registration fee included this service. The post race snacks were less than desirable. A bag with a banana, cookies and pretzels.
Definitely doing it next year
The course was actually pretty hilly for the first three miles, but the following ten were basically downhill the rest of the way! Quiet a few miles are on gravel … MORE
The course was actually pretty hilly for the first three miles, but the following ten were basically downhill the rest of the way! Quiet a few miles are on gravel roads and you really have to watch your footing, but it if you like trail running you will have fun!
All the volunteers were super awesome! The post race food was great and they had cold towels🙌🏻
My Favorite Half Marathon EVER
I've run over 40 half marathons, and this is my hands-down favorite. I ran it for the first time in 2011, and I remember thinking, at about mile 8--I will … MORE
I’ve run over 40 half marathons, and this is my hands-down favorite. I ran it for the first time in 2011, and I remember thinking, at about mile 8–I will run this race for as long as I am able. I have returned every year since and have encouraged many fellow runners to give it a try. Here are just a few reasons that I love this race:
*Breathtaking scenery: just when you reach the part where you are about to begin running downhill, you see the beautiful sunrise over the mountains.
*Running through the Cherokee National Forest is exhilarating.
*There’s a part mid-race that is run on dirt. Some people don’t love this, but my legs enjoyed the break.
*The staff, volunteers, and fellow runners are friendly and helpful.
*It’s usually held in early June, a month when a good half is hard to find.
*If you stay at the Ridgecrest Conference Center (super affordable), you can look out the window of your room and see the start line–no parking and navigation hassles.
*Also if you stay at Ridgecrest, you will have your own bathroom to use right before the race, and the race finishes at a church, which of course has an indoor bathroom. Minimal interaction with portable toilets is a win in my book.
*The weather has been warm but manageable every year I have run it.
*It’s located near fantastic day trip options–Asheville, NC, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.
It's All Downhill "From Here"
This was my 1st time running this race. It is a simple expo at the Ridgecrest Conference Ctr. Race starts at dawn (6:01a). The first 3 miles involves some uphills, … MORE
This was my 1st time running this race. It is a simple expo at the Ridgecrest Conference Ctr. Race starts at dawn (6:01a). The first 3 miles involves some uphills, but then it happens. At least 7 miles of downhill, gravel, switch back running. So any time you lose in the uphills can be made up here. The last few miles have some more uphills, not as extreme as the first portion. Last half mile is on sidewalks and finish up at Old Fort First Baptist Church parking lot. Lots of support, water stops every 2 miles, great finish line support.