Oktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K Event Information
Interested in running either the Oktoberfest Half Marathon or the 5K? Get your event information here, including registration and race day info!
RACE INFORMATION
Join us for the Oktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K on October 3, 2026, starting and finishing at the Hi-Wire River Arts District Beer Garden.
The Half Marathon starts at 7:30AM with a loop through the River Arts District. You’ll pass through areas still recovering from Helene, along with historic neighborhoods and greenways. We provide course aid throughout, and the time limit is a generous 3 hours — even the last finisher gets an official time. Registration includes a race t-shirt, a personalized bib, chip-timed tracking, a Hi-Wire beer (21+), and a finisher medal.
Neither race allows strollers or dogs on the course.
The 5K starts at 7:45AM and runs mostly along the River Arts District greenway. Same perks as the Half Marathon: race t-shirt, personalized bib, chip timing, a Hi-Wire beer, and a finisher medal.
Organized by Kick It Event Management, which has been putting on races across Western North Carolina for years, including several other beer-and-running events in the area. If you’ve run one of our other races, you know what to expect — well-marked courses, real support on the ground, and a good time at the finish.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday
3:00pm-7:00pm ~ Hi-Wire River Arts Beer Garden. Packet Pick Up and late registration
Saturday
6:15-7:15am ~ Race Day packet pick up
7:30am ~ Half Marathon Start (3 HOUR TIME LIMIT course support ends at 3 hours. You will still receive an official time)
7:45am ~ 5k Starts
8:30am ~ 5k Awards (tentative)
10:30am ~ Half Marathon Awards (tentative)
