2024 Lake James Races 7 Miler & 5k
JOIN US FOR THE LAKE JAMES RACES 7 MILER & 5K
April 13, 2024 | Nebo, NC
The Lake James Races 7 Miler & 5k races start and finish at Fonta Flora’s charming Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, NC and take runners on the beautiful trails of Lake James State Park. With stunning views and light rolling hills, both courses are perfect for either a beginner trail runner or a seasoned runner.
The 7 Miler starts at 9AM and the 5k starts at 9:15AM. Both courses start with a loop around the Fonta Flora field to spread out runners before entering the trail. Both races are chip timed and are rain or shine. There is a 2 hour course aid time limit.
Runners will receive a commemorative race t-shirt and medal included in their registration. A victory Fonta Flora beer is included in registration for those 21+ at the Orchard Bar! Must be able to provide a valid ID.
Sponsored by Blue Ridge Power, JamBar, and Fonta Flora Brewery.
Part of the 2024 Chasing Pints Running Series
6 Unique Breweries ~ 6 Unique Races is Western North Carolina’s newest way to race to the taps.
The 2024 Chasing Pints Running Series includes six different brewery races across Western North Carolina with a variety of distances! Explore new breweries, get your miles in, and toast to your achievement at the finish line with a different beer from a different craft brewery. Every race in this series includes a post-race beer in registration for runners that are 21+. Become a Six Pack OR Partial Pack Runner for savings and special prizes! Register for the series before May 24th to receive a discount on registrations!
The Lake James Races 7 Miler & 5k is one of the two spring races in the 2024 Chasing Pints running series.
EVENT PARKING
Runner parking is located to the right of Fonta Flora Brewing in 2 large gravel lots. Fonta Flora’s main parking lot will be closed to runners. Please follow direction from signage and parking volunteers.
The road to the runner parking lots will be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic at 8:55AM and be opened only when the races have started and runners have cleared the road.
Lake James Races 7 miler & 5K AWARDS
An amazing custom award for the following:
- Top 3 Male & Female
- Top Male & Female Masters (40+)
- Top Male & Female Grand Masters (50+)
Age Group awards will be given out to the top 3 male and female times in the following categories: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 & Up.
7 Miler Course Description
Runners will start by looping the Fonta Flora Brewery field to spread out the group before entering the single track trail. After ~1.2 miles, runners will cross over the Lake James State Park road with aid from course marshals and enter Paddy’s Creek Trail. Roads will not be closed so pay attention to vehicles.
At ~2 miles, runners will veer left to follow Mills Creek Trail and cross the Lake James State Park Road with aid from course marshals a ~2.5 miles. Roads will not be closed so pay attention to vehicles. The trail will drop into the beach portion at ~4.7 miles where there will be an aid station.
Runners will follow signage to Paddy’s Creek trail and continue straight until Lake James State Park road. Runners will cross road with aid station course marshals and turn left onto Over Mountain Victory Trail. At ~7.3 miles the trail will end at Fonta Flora Brewery. A sharp right, sharp left will lead to the finish line. The gravel road to the runner parking will not be closed, please pay attention to vehicles. There is a 2 hour course aid limit.
5K Course Description
Runners will start by looping the Fonta Flora Brewery field to spread out the group before entering the single track Overmountain Victory Trail. After ~1.2 miles, runners will turn left into Paddys Creek parking lot and entering the Discovery Trail Loop. The course turns right and follows the Discovery loop, a single track gravel trail for ~1 mile. There will be an aid station at this parking lot.
After the Discovery loop, runners will leave the Paddys Creek parking lot and turn right back to follow the Overmountain Victory Trail. At ~3 miles the trail will end at Fonta Flora Brewery. A sharp right, sharp left will lead to the finish line. The gravel road to the runner parking will not be closed, please pay attention to vehicles.