I am excited to share my Race Recap for the Asheville Half Marathon 2022. Spoiler alert: I had a fantastic weekend in Asheville, North Carolina. Here is my snapshot of the weekend and half marathon.
Asheville Half Marathon 2022
This race typically runs through the historic Biltmore Estate grounds. However, last and again this year, the course was changed to run through downtown Asheville instead. These changes were due to covid and The Biltmore pulling the permit. For me, that was not a big deal but some runners chose to opt into the virtual race instead. Due to this change, the course was less hilly. A win for me!
Getting to Asheville
While not too far mileage wise, Asheville is not that easy to get to from the DC area. Options are an 8 hour drive or connecting flights. We chose to fly and connected through Atlanta one way and Laguardia one way.
Lodging
There are a number of hotels to choose from at various price points. We decided to make it a couples weekend with another couple and stay at The Biltmore resort. It is a beautiful property with much to see and do.
Packet Pick Up
Asheville marathon and half marathon is typically a smaller race and this year there were about 575 half runners and 375 marathon runners. Packet pick up was pretty basic with not too much shopping and expo to explore. We were in and out in just 15 minutes.
The race t-shirt was kind of blah in black tech material. There were both male and female cuts. Not too much other race swag to speak of.
Start line
Logistics for this race were super easy with ample parking at the start. My only complaint was that there were only 10 porta-johns and we had to wait in line for over 25 minutes and just made it to the start line minutes before go time.The race began without too much fanfare. The weather was perfect at around 50 degrees and partly sunny. I was pretty nervous as I always am. I had big goals I hoped to achieve.
The course
The Asheville race course ran through downtown Asheville and along the French Broad River. The first 2 miles were a little narrow and crowded and then things spread out quite a bit. We had some rolling hills the first 2 miles with the rest of the course feeling pretty flat.
There were 5 water stops with porta Johns on the course. Ample supplies for both the half and full marathon runners. This was a point to point course starting in Pack Square Park and ending in the River Arts District.
My race pace
I started off pretty fast and felt good. The first few miles flew by. I had set my Garmin to keep me in a pace range and my watch had no problem telling me I was starting fast. Coming off of a solid training block, I was confident I could hold this pace for a few more miles. I ended up holding my 9:20-9:45 ish pace for the first 6 miles. Miles 7-10 were around 10-10:10 pace. I knew I was still on track to hit my goal.
Miles 11 and 12 were the hardest for me. We hit a muddy unpaved path for a mile and I needed to mentally regroup. I walked for about 30 seconds in both miles and just got my head back into the game. Mile 13 I saw my husband and this gave me a good mental boost. We both knew I was going to PR this race and I picked it up again.
I was so happy to see that finish line! My husband was there waiting for me and that gave me a nice push at the end. I am so happy to have smashed my A goal and finished with a 3 minute PR at 2:12 with a 10:04 average pace. I placed 19/57 in my age group.
Overall thoughts
Asheville half marathon is a well-run, small race with easy logistics. The town has lots of restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The Biltmore Estate is a centerpiece attraction with numerous activities, wine tastings, and tours. I found it to be a fantastic venue for a race.
I worked really hard the past 3 months to train for this half and could not be happier with how it turned out. You are never too old to chase new dreams. Thanks for sticking with me I know this was a long one! I so appreciated all the kudos you all sent me this weekend. Running friends are the best friends.
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Laura, Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
Fantastic running, Deborah! Congrats on your PR, too! That’s not easy to do when the first two miles are crowded and hilly.
Doesn’t it make a difference if we see a familiar face along the race route? So glad your husband was there cheering you on.
I hope your running friend was happy with her results too. What a fantastic weekend!
Thanks still smiling and feeling happy about how it all played out
Congrats again on your PR! This sounds like a great race. Its too bad its kind of hard to get to from this area. Hope you are recovering well!
I am feeling great and looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow
Congrats. It sounds like everything went perfectly. You certainly deserved that PR. So happy for you.
What’s next?
Thanks so much! I have cherry blossom next weekend so will take it easy until then
You totally spanked that PR, Deborah!! So proud of you!! I’d love to do this race…I hadn’t heard much about it until now. We toured the elaborate house (castle? LOL) when our oldest was in 1st or 2nd grade, and she was awestruck (as was I). We did not have a chance to see much of the grounds, though, so that just means I need to get back there someday 😉 Congrats on your awesome race!!
Thanks Kim still smiling. It is a fun place to tour around and the estate is just gorgeous.
CONGRATULATIONS! I agree 100%, you’re never too old to chase new goals. This race sounds great. Asheville is somewhere I’ve never been, but I would love to go. I’m so glad you had a great experience- you trained really hard and you deserve it!
Thanks Jenny I was really happy with how it all worked out.
The Biltmore Estate is on my list! I’ve always wanted to go there and now that I know that there is a race there…I might just have to copy your trip next year.
CONGRATS ON YOUR PR!!!
thanks so much! I do recommend it for a racecation weekend
What an amazing, incredible weekend and race adventure! I am so, so happy for you and proud of you! What a triumph!
I know you worked so hard for this and I am so happy the entire weekend was so fantastic! Way to go!
Thanks, Jenn really appreciate that. It is fabulous when it all comes together the way you planned
Woohoo! You really did work hard for your PR. You earned it and deserved it! A muddy path would throw me off. Glad it didn’t derail you.
Flying home from NC through NYC makes no sense!
Thanks I am really happy with how it worked out all around. Yes, getting there from here is not so easy
I could not be happier for you! I completely agree with your statement that you are never too old to chase new dreams. Hard work pays off. You are on a roll and I hope you keep crushing those PRs.
Asheville is on our sister trip list, but yeah, the logistics of getting there make it tough for a weekend getaway! I still want to go, especially after reading about your trip.
Thanks Wendy appreciate your support the whole way! I do think it would be a great place for a sister getaway for you both. Lots to do. There may be a direct flight from Chicago
Wonderful, your hard work paid off, and such a beyoootiful medal, too. Congratulations!
Thanks so much Liz really appreciate it!
Great race!! Such a wonderful feeling to know you’re going to hit your goal before the finish line. I do like the race shirt! Very much my style. The Garmin pacing feature is really nice. Well, until it’s barking about being too slow. haha!
ha ha yes I do like the Garmin pacing feature just for a backup to keep me where i need to be
Whoa the Biltmore looks like a castle! Have you ever done Newport? You might enjoy the houses there.
Congrats again my friend. So proud of you!
The Biltmore was like a castle and so much to see on the grounds. Thanks again 🙂
Congrats on the big PR!
thanks
You worked hard for that PR and it is wonderful to see your hard work pay off! Congrats again on a great race!
Thanks so much Michelle
Finally looking up your race recap! Since Asheville is a town we really want to visit, I am of course very interested. I had no idea it was such a small race — I’d just always assumed it was very large!
Congrats on your awesome PR!
thanks! I am really proud of how it went. Yes, it is a really small race. They usually have one on Sat and one on Sunday but this year just one. Not sure how that might change again going forward