Mother Earth Brewing Ironclad Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, October 21, 2023, Kinston, NC • Course Map

Set for its 5th annual running this fall here in this small town along the coastal plains region of eastern North Carolina, the Ironclad Half Marathon is hailed by organizers as the state’s “most welcoming half marathon” thanks to its small-town feel and intimate race size, as just shy of 100 runners crossed the finish line in both events combined last year.

Starting from Grainger Stadium, the home of the Down East Wood Ducks of minor league baseball’s Class A Carolina League, runners will head out on a mostly flat and fast course through this town of just over 21,000 residents, whose history dates back to the early 1760s and features a number of Civil War-era historic sites nearby.

From the stadium, runners will make their way through downtown Kinston and pass by the CSS Neuse II, a full-scale replica of a Confederate Ironclad ship like those used in the waters off the coast here during the Civil War.

They’ll also pass by the Kinston Regional Jetport at the outermost part of the loop route, after which they’ll begin to head back into town. Organizers say you can expect the feel of small town Southern charm here in Kinston, and proceeds from the race will go back into the local community, to local nonprofits and charities.

Once you make your way all the back into town and to the stadium, runners will cross the finish line inside Grainger Stadium, along the first-base line after you pass around home plate.

Race Weather & Climate

Located in eastern North Carolina, about 100 miles southeast of Raleigh, Kinston typically sees some of its mildest and driest weather of the year in October, when temperatures average between the high 40s and the low 70s.

On race day (Oct. 21), the average low is 46ºF and the average high is 72ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Ironclad Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

7:30 am for the Half Marathon

Fees

$45 for the half marathon
$25 for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of Kinston’s Mother Earth Brewing Ironclad Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

www.ironcladraces.org

Comments

Ever run in the Mother Earth Brewing Ironclad Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, as well as anything you learned about the race that you think other runners/walkers should know.