Land and Lakes Relay
Swannanoa, United States • 28 Feb 2026
Event overview
The 2026 Land and Lakes Relay is the fourth edition of a point-to-point team relay that starts at Warren Wilson College in East Asheville and finishes at Fonta Flora Brewery-Whippoorwhill Farm in Nebo near Lake James. The race is limited to 60 teams. Team captains register the team and pay the full fee; team members register under the team without an additional fee. Packet pickup and a post-race party take place at locations on the day of the event, and there is a prior packet pickup at a downtown location the day before.
Course, format and logistics
The course runs east from Warren Wilson College through Swannanoa, Black Mountain, around Lake Tomahawk, into Old Fort, through downtown Marion and toward the Lake James area before the finish at Fonta Flora Brewery-Whippoorwhill Farm. Teams follow a multi-leg format; runners typically complete two or three legs depending on team size. Teams must check in at each transfer point and identify the next runner. Teams are expected to be self-supporting for fluids and food; restrooms are available at most transfer points. Vehicles are limited to one per team and some transfer points have limited parking. Dogs are not permitted on course or at transfer points. A post-race party at Fonta Flora includes team photos, awards by category, and a complimentary beer for participants aged 21 and over. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
- Legs range from 2.7 miles to 8.7 miles
- 4-person cumulative distances: Runner 1: 14.9 mi; Runner 2: 15.5 mi; Runner 3: 17.7 mi; Runner 4: 12.6 mi
- 6-person cumulative distances: Runner 1: 11.0 mi; Runner 2: 9.2 mi; Runner 3: 9.1 mi; Runner 4: 9.8 mi; Runner 5: 12.5 mi; Runner 6: 9.1 mi