Sunday, July 9, 2023 • Columbia, SC • Course Map
Set for its 11th annual running this year near South Carolina’s capital city at the height of the summer season, Columbia’s Harbison State Forest Half Marathon & 5K is part of a series of trail runs that take place from March through August around the state, which also includes races in the Clemson Issaqueena Forest as well as Table Rock State Park.
The July trail run takes runners through Harbison State Park, a 2,177-acre environmental educational park nestled along the Broad River, just nine miles from downtown Columbia. Runners in both the half marathon and the 5K follow out-and-back routes that start and finish inside the park, just off Lost Creek Drive.
From there, runners follow a clockwise route around the park, running along its 16 miles of trails that wind through its hardwood and pine forests, crossing through streams and winding around along the river before bringing runners back around to the finish line.
Here’s what past runners have had to say about the race, in comments from the old version of our site:
– Matthew Brian in Fort Mill, SC: “Very hot and challenging.”
– Bryan Hanna in Blythewood, SC: “Never run the race but have mountain biked them and they are rough due to roots from pine trees. Very rough!”
Race Weather & Climate
Located near the center of the state, just over 110 miles northwest of Charleston, Columbia typically sees its warmest and wettest weather of the year in July, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 58 degrees (in 1982) and as high as 109 degrees (in 1999).
- July 9 average low temp: 73ºF
- July 9 average high temp: 90ºF
Past Results
- 2018 XTERRA Harbison Half Marathon Results
- 2017 XTERRA Harbison Half Marathon Results
- 2016 XTERRA Harbison Half Marathon Results
- 2015 XTERRA Harbison Half Marathon Results
- 2014 XTERRA Harbison Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Harbison State Forest Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 7:00 AM – half marathon
- 7:10 AM – 5K
Fees
- $55 and up – half marathon
- $35 and up – 5K
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of Columbia’s Harbison State Forest Marathon or 5K trail run, register online at Active.com here.

Official Race Website
Comments
Ever run in the Harbison State Forest Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.