Land and Lakes Relay

Event Overview

The Land and Lakes Relay is a team running event starting at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. The finish line is at Fonta Flora Brewery-Whippoorwhill Farm in Nebo, near Lake James.

Course Details

The course begins in East Asheville and travels east through Swannanoa, Black Mountain, and around Lake Tomahawk. It follows much of the Geyser Growl Half Marathon course into Old Fort, proceeds through downtown Marion, and ends in the Lake James area. The event has redesigned legs 6, 7, and 8 for this year and returned to the original leg 10 from 2023.

Team Format

Teams can have four or six runners. Each runner completes two or three legs of the relay, with distances ranging from 2.7 miles to 8.7 miles per leg. The traditional running order for a four-person team results in cumulative distances between 12.6 and 17.7 miles per runner. For a six-person team, cumulative distances per runner range from 9.1 to 12.5 miles.

Schedule & Logistics

Packet pickup is available on Friday before the race and on Saturday morning at the start location. Team start times are assigned between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM based on estimated team pace. All teams must begin their final leg by 5:00 PM. The post-race party is held at the finish line brewery.

Safety and Rules

For safety on open roads, runners must wear reflective vests and headlamps during the hours of 5:00-7:00 AM. The use of flashing lights is highly recommended at all times. Each team is expected to be self-supporting with their own fluids and food, though restrooms are available at most transfer points. Only one support vehicle per team is permitted, and no RVs, campers, or trailers are allowed.

Registration

Online registration is open. The event is capped at 60 teams. Team captains register and pay the full team fee, after which team members can join for free. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.