Bethel Half Marathon and 5k – October 12, 2013 – Bethel Community – Canton NC

This race is part of the Asheville Track Club’s Grand Prix series and that’s one of the features that helps draw the crowd. But I think there are two intrinsic aspects of the race that are equally as powerful if not more:

• First, it’s difficult to beat the outstanding hospitality and legendary home-cooked post race food. It started with their potato soup years ago but now they’ll have a few other soups as well, equally tasty and served up by some of the friendliest volunteers anywhere. Mind you, it’s not just soup, there’s a variety of other home-cooked foods (I remember some yummy pumpkin bread back in 2011.)
• Second, this is the flattest half marathon in Western North Carolina.  There’s a hill around mile three but after that there’s nothing much to speak of.

It’s a beautiful, scenic course. At time the weather can be perfect – crisp and cool at the start, warming up into the 60s by finish. Online registration is available at IMAthlete. Or, you may download a Bethel 2013 Race Entry Form. For more information, visit the race website.