Kings Mountain Marathon & Half Marahon 

Date: April 21, 2012

Start Time: 8:00 AM

A Historic Challenge for 400 Brave Adventurers

It was a little army and a little battle, but it was of mighty portent.

In 1780, atop Kings Mountain the Patriot Militia toppled the Royal Loyalists in the Revolutionary War. When the smoke cleared on the mountain’s steep western ridge, the Patriot Militia stood victorious.  

 “This is a place of inspiring memories. Here less than a thousand men, inspired by the urge of freedom, defeated a superior force entrenched in this strategic position.” – President Herbert Hoover, October 7, 1930, atop Kings Mountain.  

President Teddy Roosevelt once called this small but strategic victory the “turning point of the American Revolution.” 

And to this day, the battle’s spirit lives on in the inhabitants of York County, South Carolina. Folks here carry a certain dignity because of their home’s unique place in history. And why shouldn’t they? 

It’s beautiful and rugged land they live on.

Which is why it won’t surprise you to hear that exactly 230 years after the famous triumph, a small band of runners came directly to Kings Mountain for their own “battle.” 

A freak snowstorm and a last minute race cancellation had left them with little choice. 

You see, just like the Patriot militia, they had something to prove. And if they could just get a race organizer to meet a few simple demands, they were going to fight for it.

So they got in touch with Jefferson Nicholson, Co-Founder of Adventure Geek Productions, and inside an hour, the battle was on!

Only this time the enemy wasn’t a red coated army. It was the terrain itself. Specifically, 26.2 miles of it.  

They called the challenge Kings Mountain Marathon. 

 Directions

We suggest using the following address for Navigation/GPS and Google Map (NOT MAPQUEST) purposes. 

Lake Crawford Rd 
Clover, SC 29710 
 

The Event Time-line
6:00am - 7:30am Registration/Check-in
8:00am- Race Start
10:45am Half Marathon Awards Presentation

1:45pm Marathon Awards Presentation 

All race finisher will receive a custom finisher’s medal and a pair of awesome custom event arm warmers to us during those colder races.

Pre-Race Course, Safety and Venue Announcements will be made at 6:45, 7:15 and 7:45.
You do not need to attend all three sessions but you need to attend at least one.

The Course

Your number one job as an event participant is to know thy course! The courses plotted out on MapMyRun.com provide awesome resources like a 3D Fly Over, turn by turn directions, and course elevation information.

Your study materials can be found at http://www.kingsmountainmarathon.com/course.html 

All turns on the course will be marked with signs and colored duck tap arrows on the ground (unless it’s on the gravel road then look for just signs).

The Half Marathon Course will be marked with BRIGHT GREEN duct tape arrows.

The Marathon Course will be marked with BRIGHT PINK duct tape arrows.

THESE COURSES ARE NOT CLOSED TO TRAFFIC. Though these courses are not closed to traffic the most vehicle traffic you will see will be from folks involved with the event and from regular park visitors on the main state park road. The course runs WITH the flow of traffic.

So...PLEASE STAY TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD AND NOT RUN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

Also since the course is open, your friends and family are more than welcome to set up a cheer/food/water/aid station or stations along the course.   

The Half Marathon will have a water/Gatorade/first-aid stop approximately every 2 miles along the course. Some of the aid stations may not have volunteers working them. It depends on which groups actually show up on race day. Aid stations will have Water, Gatorade, Hammer Gels (every 4 miles), a first aid kit for self-medication, a roll of Toilet Paper (in case you need to hit the woods [yes, it happens!]), pretzels and orange slices. If you need more course supplies than that we suggest you consult your Physician, Nutrionist, and carry your own supplies.

There will be 2 porta-potties on the course. The first one will be located at the half way point (6.5mi) for both races - 6.5 for the half and 11.8 for the full. The second porta-potty will be at mile 16.8 for the full marathon.

Participants may start the course early and we'll let a round of folks go at 7:15am. But know if you start early you may not receive as much race course support due to volunteer scheduling and you will NOT be scored with the main event and will not be eligible for age group or overall prizes.  

Pre-Race and Race Day Packet Pick up
A Pre-Race packet pickup will be available at the Kings Mountain SC State Park from 5pm - 7:45pm-est. We'll be under a brown tent exactly where the starting line will be. You may pick up your packet for someone else and vice versa.  

Race Day Packet Pick Up and Race Day Registration will be available at the start/finish area on Saturday morning from 6:00am-7:50am.

Race Timing
Race Bib numbers must clearly visible on your upper body! Even though the race will be chip timed this year it helps our timers out by following bib placement guidelines. If you don’t follow these directions you risk the chance of not having an accurate time recorded or a time penalty.

Please help us get the word out about this awesome event! Send all your friends and family to www.KingsMountainMarathon.com!

Our final t-shirt order will go in Monday 4/16 so anyone who registers after Tuesday or on race day is not guaranteed an event shirt.

Volunteers Needed
There is no I in team, but there is a U in Volunteer, and we need you!

If you're part of a group or organization looking for some additional exposure then come lend a hand during this year’s Kings Mountain Marathon & Half Marathon and we'll let everyone know who you're with and what you’re up to within the community.

Race Review

Liberty Ladies Seeing America 26.2 miles at a time! libertyladies.weebly.com
2010 King Mountain Marathon Race Review PDF

 2010 Pictures https://public.me.com/langforg

Pre-Registration Fees

Half-Marathon - $40

Marathon - $80

Race Day Registration Fees

Half-Marathon $50

Marathon $100

All participants will receive their race bib and event shirt at check in.

All half and full marathon finishers will receive a metal finishers medal and other awesome gifts!

Sponsors

WhyMarathon.com

RoadID.com

VisitYorkCounty.com

2010 Results for both the half and full marathon can be found HERE.

2011 Race results can be found HERE!

Official event photos can be found HERE!

Contact Information & Volunteers Opportunities

 Race Directors: -Jefferson Nicholson, (571) 318-6907 , jefferson@adventuregeekproductions.com

                         -Kristen Thomas, 803-487-1052, kristen@adventuregeekproductions.com

Awards

Top three overall male and female for each race

Best Theme dressed participant

GeezerJock (oldest finisher)

Age group awards will be determined based on the size of the finishing field.

Directions

From I-85: Take exit 8, turn left onto Hwy 161, go across NC/SC state line and park entrance will be on the right. 

From I-77: Take exit for Hwy 5 toward Rock Hill. Follow Hwy 5 through Rock Hill to York. In York, turn N onto Hwy 321, then bear left onto Hwy 161, entrance will be on the left.

MILES TO

Charleston, SC: 200

Columbia, SC: 91

Florence, SC: 131

Greenville, SC: 70

Charlotte, NC: 30

Raleigh, NC: 174

Atlanta, GA: 206

Augusta, GA: 146

About the Parks

Kings Mountain State Park

A big, hilly, woodsy park with lots to do, Kings Mountain State Park has been a regional favorite for generations.

Built originally by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Kings Mountain has miles of trails, equestrian facilities, group camping barracks, campgrounds, two fishing lakes with boat rentals and the popular Living History Farm.

The farm is a realistic replica of a typical Piedmont farm from the early to mid 1800s. Buildings include a house, barn and gin, and there are gardens and animals, including cows, chickens and a bunch of friendly cats.

Regularly scheduled special events at the park bring in local crowds and the park also is adjacent to Kings Mountain National Military Park, site of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle.

Kings Mountain National Military Park

Did you know Kings Mountain National Military Park is not a Civil War park? Did you know that most battles/skirmishes of the Revolutionary War took place in South Carolina? If not, then welcome to Kings Mountain National Military Park, the “turning point” of the Revolutionary War, where on October 7, 1780, an hour long battle changed the course of the Revolutionary War.

By exploring our Visitor Center, which includes a 26 minute film, exhibit area and 1.5 mile battlefield trail, you will learn why the battle occurred, who the Overmountain men were and how the outcome of the battle changed the course of the Revolutionary War.

Every October 7^th, the Park honors those who fought at Kings Mountain by holding a morning wreath laying ceremony at the US Monument and a program in the amphitheater at 3:00, the time the battle began. Throughout the year, the Kings Mountain Backcountry Militia, along with other revolutionary war demonstration groups, hold special events show casing militia service, weapons, equipment, life skills such as leatherworking, blacksmithing and woodworking as it would have been in the 1700’s. Please check our special events page for dates and event details. 

So come, take a step back in time, and enjoy our little known piece of history!

Erin K. Broadbent

Superintendent

Lodging

http://www.sciway.net/hotels/gaffney.html

Refund Policy

85% of your entry fee will be refunded until April 20th, 2012. No refunds will be issued for any reason after April 19th, 2012. Event entries are transferable between persons, events during the same year. By registering for this event you agree to these refund terms.

The race will take place rain or shine. Race directors may edit the course for safety and/or for highway regulations or may cancel this in the event of severe weather. No Refunds will be given if you or the race directors are forced to cancel plans for this event.