ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Runners laced up their shoes and hit the pavement for the New Belgium Asheville Marathon and Half Marathon.
The race began in downtown Asheville, taking participants of all skill levels through historic neighborhoods and wrapping up at New Belgium Brewing in the River Arts District for a well-deserved celebration.
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Runners from 43 states in the U.S. and six countries ran in this year’s marathon and half-marathon.
Daphne Kirkwood, the event organizer, says it was nice to see a big turnout given the harsh winter the region went through.
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“These people have been training all winter long for this and so just to get here in March and so to the start line injury free,” Kirkwood said. “We had a rough winter here locally and people are coming from all over the U.S., and so it’s quite the journey for them to even make it to this starting line.”
Each year, the race includes a charity component, with this year’s charity partner being United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, centering on youth opportunity and community resiliency.