Geyser Growl Half Marathon
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Event overview
The Geyser Growl is a Half Marathon held in Black Mountain and Old Fort, North Carolina. The course starts at Lake Tomahawk Park in Black Mountain and finishes at Hillman Beer in Old Fort. Runners pass Andrews Geyser and run up Old US 70 to the crest at Ridgecrest Conference Center, then descend on a mix of dirt and paved roads into Old Fort. The course is USATF certified (NC22020BDS) and the race uses chip timing with the timing chip mounted on the back of the race bib.
Logistics and race details
The event is limited to 500 participants. Registration for 2025 opens on January 1 and closes on October 16. Entry fees are tiered: $70 (Jan 1–Mar 31), $80 (Apr 1–Aug 31), and $90 (Sep 1–race). Packet pickup and a bag drop near the start are provided. Six aid stations are placed roughly every two miles with water, Gatorade, and cookies at specified stations. Shuttle buses between Old Fort and Black Mountain are ticketed; shuttle rides cost $15 each way. All finishers receive a commemorative medal; awards are given to top three overall and top three Masters (40+), plus age-group awards across standard age brackets. There is a 3 hour 30 minute time limit for full police protection and aid station support. Post-race provisions include snacks, water, Gatorade, hot soup, and one Hillman beer redeemable by runners over 21. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.