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April 4, 2026 | Nebo, NC | Fonta Flora's Whippoorwill Farm
The Lake James 7 Miler & 5k races start and finish at Fonta Flora's charming Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, NC and take runners on the beautiful trails of Lake James State Park. With stunning views and light rolling hills, both courses are perfect for either a trail beginner or a seasoned runner. All races are chip timed and are rain or shine.
The 7 Miler starts at 9AM and the 5k starts at 9:15AM. There is a 2 hour course aid time limit.
Dogs & strollers are not allowed in either races but are welcome to stay back at the brewery.
 | Included in Race Registration: Wooden Finisher Medal Commemorative Race Shirt Fonta Flora Beer (21+) Donation to Lake James Environmental Association |
Can't make it to race day but still want the swag? Virtual options available! We'll mail the race shirt, medal, and bib to you after the event. US shipping only.
2026 Finisher Medal
| 2026 Race Shirt
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Countdown to event
Registration fees Spots remaining: 676
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
Lake James 5k Spots remaining: 166
Price changes in 4 days 23 hours-
Includes a finisher medal & race shirt.
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Register for Lake James 5k$50.14
Early Bird Pricing
Now registering Jun 1 – Dec 14 -
$55.49Dec 15 – Mar 1
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$60.83
Last Call Pricing
Mar 2 – Apr 3
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Lake James 7 Miler Spots remaining: 161
Price changes in 4 days 23 hours-
Includes a finisher medal & race shirt.
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Register for Lake James 7 Miler$60.83
Early Bird Pricing
Now registering Jun 1 – Dec 14 -
$66.18Dec 15 – Mar 1
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$71.53
Last Call Pricing
Mar 2 – Apr 3
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Virtual 7 Miler or 5k Limited spots available
Run a 7 Miler, or 5k in your own time and own space. Your swag will be mailed to you the week after race day. Shirt sizes are limited after 3/12. Virtual Participants are not eligible for awards.
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Register for Virtual 7 Miler or 5k$44.79
Includes race shirt, bib & Finisher medal.
Jun 1 - Apr 3
Course Details
Course Descriptions:
All courses will start with a loop around the Fonta Flora field to spread out runners. Click the course maps below for more info.
Courses are subject to change due to trail conditions at the Race Director's discretion.**
 | The 7 Mile course includes single track trail and 2 road crossings. There is 425ft of elevation gain in the 7 Miler. There is access to 3 aid stations on this course. |
 | The 5k course includes a single track trail and a 1 mile gravel single track trail. There is 123ft of elevation gain in the 5k. There is 1 aid station on the course that runners pass 2x. |
** course subject to change
Awards
7 Miler & 5k Top Awards
1st Place Male, Nonbinary, & Female $50 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award
2nd Place Male, Nonbinary, & Female $35 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award
3rd Place Male, Nonbinary, & Female $25 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award
Top Male, Nonbinary, & Female Masters (40+) $15 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award
Top Male, Nonbinary, & Female Grand Masters (50+) $15 to Mountain Running Company & Custom Award
Fonta Flora pint glasses for Age Group awards will be given out to the top 3 male, nonbinary, and female times in the following categories.
19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 & Up.
Virtual runners are not eligible for an award.
Kick It Event Management (Kick It Events) & Lake James Races have a no refund policy. Our team works year round to produce our high quality events. Even if the event is canceled we have incurred expenses with planning of the event that are non-refundable. Please see the guidelines below.
The Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection Program.
Adding on the Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection Program is a service provided outside of Kick It Events.
This purchase is subject to the Protecht Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before purchasing.
Kick It Events DOES NOT promise a refund with the purchase of the Race Roster Enhanced Protection Program.
Refunds
No refunds will be given if you signed up for this race by accident. Double check the city, date and time BEFORE registering.
There are no refunds for injury or illness.
There are no refunds for work or event conflicts.
There will be NO REFUNDS if the event needs to be postponed.
If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund.
We do not allow deferrals.
Postponement
In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed at the race directors discretion. There will be NO REFUNDS if the event needs to be postponed. The postponement date will be April 11, 2026 if the Race Director determines it's necessary.
Inclement weather determination is at the discretion of the race directors. We are looking for dangerous conditions for our runners and volunteers or an impassable race course.
The postponement announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather we reserve the right to postpone the race up until race morning. A Postponement announcement will be by 5am race morning.
If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund. We will do our best with a virtual event or socially distanced race. Please understand that we purchase your race items months ahead of time and we will get these items to you if the event is canceled last minute.
Race postponement will be emailed out to runners using the email used during registration, posted on the race website (https://kickitevents.com/lake-james-races/) as well as posted on our social media platforms.
In the event the race is postponed and you would like your race swag mailed to you, you will be required to pay the shipping cost for your race bib and race swag.
Race updates will be sent to the email address you registered with. Always make sure that your email is correct. In the event that the postponement date needs to be canceled, there will not be another postponement and there will not be any refunds.
Cancelation
In the event the race needs to be canceled there will be no refunds.
The cancelation announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather we reserve the right to cancel the race up until race morning.
We will always try to postpone the race if needed but sometimes permitting, weather etc does not allow for a postponement.
If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund. We will do our best with a virtual event or socially distanced race. Please understand that we purchase your race items months ahead of time and we will get these items to you if the event is canceled last minute.
Race cancellation will be emailed out to runners using the email used during registration, posted on the race website (https://kickitevents.com/lake-james-races/) as well as posted on our social media platforms.
Race updates will be sent to the email address you registered with. Always make sure that your email is correct.
Transfers
You may transfer your registration to being a virtual runner up to 5 days before the event using the transfer button on the registration page. If you wish to be virtual after Wednesday 4/1, you must pay the $10 flat shipping fee.
You may transfer your registration to another runner or to a different distance up to 5 days before the event using the transfer button on the registration page.
After the 5 day cut off please reach out to Info@kickitevents.com for help with transferring to different events.
Event Parking Info
Event Site & Parking
There is a main parking lot for Fonta Flora that will be open to runner parking but will fill up fast. There is an overflow gravel/grass parking lot adjacent to Fonta Flora for extra parking. We highly encourage carpooling! Look out for “EVENT PARKING” signs & volunteer directions.
The road to the runner parking lots will be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic during race start times and be opened only when runners have cleared the road.
Event schedule
- Fri, April 3, 2026 4:00 PM - Early Packet Pick Up Starts at MRC 4 S Tunnel Rd Suite 230, Asheville, NC 28805
- Fri, April 3, 2026 6:00 PM - Early Packet Pick Up Ends at MRC 4 S Tunnel Rd Suite 230, Asheville, NC 28805
- Sat, April 4, 2026 8:00 AM - Packet Pick Up Begins
- Sat, April 4, 2026 9:00 AM - 7 Miler Race Start
- Sat, April 4, 2026 9:15 AM - 5k Race Start
Contact information
- Event contact
- Rhianna Scott
- Website
- Visit website
Sponsors
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Host Sponsor
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Award Sponsor
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Non Profit Partner
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