HalfRuns
Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K

Catamount Climb Half Marathon & 5K

Race Date

Apr 3, 2027

Location

Cullowhee, NC

Standout76

The Experience

The 2027 Catamount Climb Half Marathon and 5K will be hosted on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC along the banks of the Tuckasegee River. The 5K course is completely on campus and navigates through the heart of campus with moderate elevation change. The half marathon course starts on campus, and then heads off campus for a few miles before returning back to campus for the finish line. The Catamount Climb Half Marathon and 5K (formerly known as Valley of the Lilies) is hosted by the Western Carolina University School of Health Sciences and the Department of Campus Recreation & Wellness. All race proceeds go to support student professional development and academic scholarships. Race Packets Each registered participant will receive a race packet that includes a race t-shirt, a race bib, and various coupons and other sponsorship materials. Finisher Medals will be given to all half-marathon finishers as well. Packet Pick Up will occur the day before the race on April 2nd, 2027 3pm-7pm at the WCU Campus Recreation Center, and the morning of the race on April 3rd, 2027 6:30am - 7:30am at the WCU Campus Recreation Center.  Awards Each registered participant will receive a race packet that includes a race t-shirt, a race bib, and various coupons and other sponsorship materials. Half Marathon Finisher medals are awarded to all half marathon finishers.  Awards, which are custom placing medals, are given to the overall male and female winner, overall master's male and female winner, as well as the top three male and female in each age group: 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. 5K Awards, which are custom medals, are given to the overall male and female winner, overall master's male and female winner, as well as the top three male and female in each age group: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

Logistics

Race Day

Saturday, April 3, 2027

Start Time

8:00 AM

Giveaway

T-Shirt

Start Location

379 Memorial Drive, Cullowhee, NC, 28723

Directions

Course Info

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

road

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Elevation Gain

0'

Net Drop/km

0 m (Flat)

Separation

0.0%

Also Offers

5K13.1 Miles

Quality Score

Standout76
Methodology
Heritage20/20

10 years running

Size12/15

~265 finishers a year

Momentum5/5

growing or steady

Loyalty20/20

25% returning runners

Course & details3/15

2 timing sources

National draw5/10

runners from 7 states

Front-pack speed3/5

winner 1:21:13

Weather8/10

typical high 65°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

44°

Afternoon (High)

65°

Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish

0.1"

Precipitation

10 mph

Wind

68%

Humidity

Historical Finish Times

How 1,103 finishers actually crossed the line across 10 years.

Most recent

2026

Total finishers

1,103

Median time

2:10:29

Latest turnout

133

States

21

10%
25%
75%
90%
1:15p50 median ≈ 2:053:45

Turnout by year

20182026

'18'19'21'22'23'24'25'26
See full results

Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.

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