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South Mountains Marathons

location_on

Rutherford College, North Carolina, United States

calendar_today 10 Jan, 2026

About the Event

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

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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 (%)

air 9.2 /

water_drop 68.2%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat -0.3° / 9.3°

wb_sunny -4.4° / 5.7°

air 9.2 km/h

water_drop 68.2%

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.