Race Day 2025
Mountain Fork Half Marathon Race Day Information
Packet Pick-Up & Race Day Registration will be held from 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at the City of Norton's Reservoir Trailhead located off State Route 619 and three miles above downtown Norton (Driving Directions). Runners will park at the registration site and will then be shuttled by Mountain Empire Older Citizens' bus service to the start/finish line at the High Knob Observation Tower between 8:30-8:45 a.m. Runners will then be shuttled back to their vehicles after the race.
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Restroom Facilities: We will have 1 portable toilet at the registration site and 1 portable toilet at the race start/finish line.
Race Start: The race begins at 9 a.m. and will start and finish in the High Knob Observation Tower parking area. As detailed above, runners will be shuttled from the registration site to the race start/finish using Mountain Empire Older Citizens’ bus service. Shuttles will run between 8:30-8:45 a.m. Runners will then be shuttled back to their vehicles after the race. Race day announcements will be held at 8:55 a.m. Total elevation gain for the Mountain Fork Half is 1,600 feet.
Course Directions:
​• Runners head down the High Knob Observation Tower approach road and then turn left onto the paved Forest Road 238.
• Travel a half mile on FR 238 before turning left again onto State Route 619.
• Travel State Route 619 almost 1.7 miles before turning left onto Forest Road 704.
• Travel Forest Road 704 for 5.5 miles before transitioning onto State Route 706.
• Travel State Route 706 for just under 0.4 miles and turn left at junction for Forest Road 238/Robin Road/Robinson Road.
• Travel Forest Road 238 for 5.2 miles back to High Knob Observation Tower approach road.
• Make a slight left onto approach road and climb .15 miles to the finish line.
We will have course marshals at most road intersections. Directional arrows will also be posted on signs at junctions and critical sites along the course.
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The race route is an OPEN course. Please be aware that vehicles will be on the road throughout the race. Please make sure you are as visible as possible — this race includes sharp and blind curves. Avoid running in the middle of the road or into blind curves. We also cannot close the parking lot at the summit for the race, so be aware there might be vehicles coming and going from that area as you finish. The finish line will be located in the parking area.
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Timing/Finish Line: We will be hand timing this race. We ask that all runners have their bibs on display as they cross the finish line. If your bib is not visible to race timers, your time might not be recorded.
Awards will be presented to the top three men and women overall winners and the overall masters man and woman (age 40 and up). We will also have age group awards for the top three men and women in the following categories: 29 and under; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; and 60 and over. We will also have finisher medals for all runners that cross the finish line. Race results will be posted online.
Shuttle: Runners will be shuttled to the race start/finish area. Race day registration, packet pick-up, and parking for the race will be held two miles from the race starting line in a large gravel parking lot (Norton Reservoir Trailhead) on City of Norton property. Driving Directions.
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Aid Stations: We will have aid stations located at approximately the 2.3-, 5-, 7.8-, and 11.5-mile markers. The middle two aid stations (5 miles and 7.8 miles) will also have fruit. We also ask that you try to dispose of your water cups near the road's edge to avoid volunteers having to hunt for cups or tackle steep hillsides to collect them.
Time limit: All runners must complete the course by 1 p.m.
Spectators/Parking: The parking area where the race will start and finish is small with only 20 spaces. There will be volunteer vehicles, rescue vehicles, and shuttle buses using some of these spaces so parking will be limited for spectators. If you have spectators and they don’t mind a short walk to and from the start/finish line, please contact race director for directions to a gravel lot approximately 0.8 miles from the start/finish line that can be used for parking. Spectators can also ride the shuttle bus.
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Weather Outlook: We will post a weather outlook closer to the 2025 race date.
