Please CLICK HERE for your important need-to-know race day information!
UPDATE: 9/24/23 at 8:30AM
8k FINISHER MEDALS ARE SOLD OUT!
Runners can continue to register online for the race; however, anyone who registers after this time will not be given a finisher medal at the finish line. If there are no shows at the race, you may be able to get one. Please check at the Awards Tent near the finish line after you are done racing.
The 4th annual Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k presented by Hunter Subaru is back again for 2023 and is USATF sanctioned & certified!
Sanction Number: #142774
8k USATF Certification Number - NC22015DF
Half Marathon Certification Number - NC22016DF
Race date & course subject to change.
The in-person half marathon and 8k both wind through Hendersonville, NC (near Asheville) on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. There is also a Virtual Half Marathon and 8k running option for runners not able to attend the in-person event.
The Black Bear Half and 8k both offer a scenic, mostly flat course along the Oklawaha Greenway. The Half Marathon has less than 400 feet of elevation gain so you won’t want to miss it!
NEW Start times for 2023:
8k RACE START: 8:00am
Half Marathon RACE START: 8:20am
What's included with your race entry:
- Long sleeve, dri-fit race shirt, available in men's & women's sizes FREE (until Sunday, September 17th) for Half Marathoners
- Short sleeve, Bella Canvas shirt FREE (until Sunday, September 17th) for 8k participants
- Free finisher medal for all participants
- Hunter Subaru goody bag
- Chip-timing for accurate results
- Very well-marked (and mostly flat) course on a beautiful greenway
- Spectator friendly course
- One-of-a-kind prizes for overall and age group winners
Swag + Medals
HALF MARATHON SWAG
All participants will receive a commemorative medal after the race!
Register before September 17th at midnight and get a custom, long sleeve, dri-fit race shirt, available in men's and women's sizes FREE with your registration!
Register by September 17th to guarantee your size! After that date, shirts will only be available for $30 in limited quantities and sizes.
Pre-Event Shipping Option
If you're looking to skip the lines at packet pickup, this is the option for you! We'll ship your shirt and race bib to you approximately 1 1/2 to two weeks before the event so all you have to do is show up and run. This option is available for $15 either during registration or from the Race Store, through September 24th at midnight. PLEASE NOTE: The shipment will go to the address you register with. If you need to update that address, please email us at support@idaph.net.
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8K SWAG
All participants will receive a commemorative medal after the race!
Register before September 17th at midnight and get a custom, short sleeve, Bella Canvas shirt FREE with your registration!
Register by September 17th to guarantee your size! After that date, 8k shirts will only be available for $25 in limited quantities and sizes.
The 8k event will also have cash prizes for top finishers. Overall male and female winners of the 8k will win $100 each in cash prize money. Overall male and female 2nd place winners will win $75 each and overall male and female 3rd place winners will receive $50 each in cash prize money!
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Packet Pickup
Click HERE for Packet Pickup schedule and details.
This race is part of the Appalachian Trilogy!
CLICK HERE to register for all races in the Appalachian Trilogy Series at the same time and receive a discount at checkout!
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Run THREE iDaph Events Half Marathons in 2023 and get a gorgeous, bonus Appalachian Trilogy medal!
If you register for at least three out of four iDaph Events half marathons in 2023, you’ll get an awesome extra medal after the last one! The deadline to register for at least three of the races is July 9, 2023 at midnight (so we can order your medals!) Medals will be given out at the 2023 Black Bear Half Marathon event.
Here are the four eligible events to choose from. As long as you are registered for at least THREE of them by July 9th at midnight, you’ll get your extra medal!
| Date | Event |
| March 18th | The Asheville Marathon and Half (the full marathon also qualifies) |
| May 13th | The Jump Off Rock Half Marathon |
| June 11th | The RAD Half Marathon |
| October 8th | The Black Bear Half Marathon |
The Appalachian Trilogy events can be participated in either virtually, in person or a combination of both!
Want to CONNECT with others that are completing the Appalachian Trilogy? Join the Facebook Group!
There are only 200 spots available in the series.
Accept the challenge and earn your bling!
We've got donuts!
Bright Branch Farms will be providing apple cider donuts this year, so come hungry! We'll also have a variety of post-race recovery snacks and beverages available at the finish line.
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Event schedule
- Sat, October 7, 2023 12:00 PM - Packet Pickup at Hunter Subaru: 12pm - 3pm
- Sun, October 8, 2023 6:30 AM - Packet Pickup at Jackson Park: 6:30am - 7:30am
- Sun, October 8, 2023 8:00 AM - 8k Race Start
- Sun, October 8, 2023 8:00 AM - Black Bear Fall Market: 8am - 1pm
- Sun, October 8, 2023 8:20 AM - Half Marathon Race Start
- Sun, October 8, 2023 10:00 AM - 8k Awards Ceremony
- Sun, October 8, 2023 11:30 AM - Half Marathon Awards Ceremony
Contact information
- Event contact
- The iDaph Support Team
- support@idaph.net
- Phone
- (828) 684-0812
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
Half Marathon (in-person) Closed
Online registration closed-
Includes goody bag, finisher medal, and custom, long sleeve, dri-fit race shirt, available in men's and women's sizes, until deadline.
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$90.00Dec 8 – Jan 8
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$95.00Jan 9 – Jun 25
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$100.00Jun 26 – Aug 6
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$105.00Aug 7 – Oct 1
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$110.00Oct 2 – Oct 8
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8k (in-person) Closed
Online registration closed-
(FINISHER MEDALS ARE SOLD OUT) Includes goody bag, and custom, short sleeve, Bella Canvas shirt until deadline.
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$50.00Dec 8 – Jan 8
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$55.00Jan 9 – Jun 25
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$60.00Jun 26 – Aug 6
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$65.00Aug 7 – Oct 1
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$70.00Oct 2 – Oct 8
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Sponsors
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Presenting Sponsor
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Race Partners
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