Answer the call of the wild, wintry trails at the South Mountains Marathons on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in the rugged beauty of South Mountains State Park, North Carolina. This year's event focuses on a challenging half marathon (12.9 miles) due to trail closures, offering a perfect mix of wide doubletrack, tight technical singletrack, and the race's signature element: hundreds of stairs. Runners will be treated to stunning views, icy creek crossings, and the sheer, rewarding climbs that define this classic mountain test, all culminating in a unique, hand-crafted ceramic finisher's medal.
With a 9:00 AM start on January 10th, this race is a true celebration of tough, old-school trail running, where the chilly air and steep terrain forge unforgettable memories. Limited to 200 entrants, it promises an intimate, community-focused atmosphere backed by full aid stations and the passionate organization of Tanawha Adventures, making it a must-do winter challenge for dedicated mountain runners.
Races Offered
1/2 Marathon
Jan 10, 2026
straighten
Distance —
21.1K
terrain
Type ——
timer
09:00
Weather Overview
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for January in Rutherford College.
Temp (°C)
Feels Like (°C)
thermostat-0.3° / 9.3°
wb_sunny-4.4° / 5.7°
Wind (km/h)
Humidity (%)
air9.2 /
water_drop68.2%
Temp (°C)
Feels Like (°C)
Wind (km/h)
Humidity (%)
thermostat-0.3° / 9.3°
wb_sunny-4.4° / 5.7°
air9.2 km/h
water_drop68.2%
About Rutherford College
Learn more about the host city, Rutherford College.
Rutherford College is a town in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 1,341. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton metropolitan area.
