Bent Creek Classic – North Carolina Arboretum – Asheville, North Carolina – June 17, 2006

The Bent Creek Classic is held at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, just off Brevard Road (Route 191).  The 10k and 5k races start at the same location but start in opposite directions (it’s a little startling at first to have a race in which two huge clumps of people start running in opposite directions).  Along the course the 10k and 5k pass each other going in opposite directions.

The course is a combination of paved surfaces and gravel roads/paths.  It has its fair share of hills.  The finish is a long, gradual uphill on paved surface – the same ground that you cover when you enter the Arboretum by car and head for the parking area.