2026 Greenbrier River Trail Marathon & Half Marathon 2026
- Date
- Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (New York)
- Location
- Marlinton, West Virginia
- Entry fee
- From $70
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
Registration is open.
Likely to sell out. 166 finished the Marathon in 2025, and this year's cap is 160.
We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details
Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Marathon | Marathon | Oct 4, 20268:00 AM | $90 | 160 |
| Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Oct 4, 20268:00 AM | $70 | 160 |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Full Marathon: $90 until Oct 4.
- Half Marathon: $70 until Oct 4.
Online registration closes Oct 4, 2026, unless the race fills first.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:17 AM, and the Full Marathon starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 2,450 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
711 1st Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
2025 results
All results (3 years)Full Marathon
Half Marathon
Aggregated from official results (Appalachian Timing Group (APTiming)) for 2026 Greenbrier River Trail Marathon & Half Marathon. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at 2026 Greenbrier River Trail Marathon & Half Marathon?
At the 2025 Full Marathon, the fastest tenth finished in 3:39:03 or better, the top quarter in 3:52:48, and half the field in 4:40:44; the last tenth came in after 6:43:15.
At the 2025 Half Marathon, the fastest tenth finished in 1:48:33 or better, the top quarter in 2:04:15, and half the field in 2:17:21; the last tenth came in after 3:28:24.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 4:26:44 | 3:40:18 |
| 30-39 | 4:38:22 | 2:57:23 |
| 40-49 | 3:47:11 | 3:22:40 |
| 50-59 | 4:11:32 | 3:39:32 |
| 60-69 | 5:50:52 | 3:52:08 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Down 16 percent since 2023.
All events combined, from official results.
2026 Greenbrier River Trail Marathon & Half Marathon Marathon year by year
From 2023 to 2025, the field went from 163 to 166 finishers, and the median time rose from 4:38:39 to 4:40:44.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 166 (-11%) | 4:40:44 | under 3:39:03 | 2:49:07 |
| 2024 | 187 (+15%) | 4:36:18 | under 3:28:19 | 2:52:16 |
| 2023 | 163 | 4:38:39 | under 3:33:47 | 2:42:28 |
From each year's official results for the Marathon; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Faster than most US trail marathons
The fastest quarter of the 2025 marathon field finished under 3:52:48, against 5:11:37 in a typical US trail marathon, so times here run 25 percent faster.
- Half Marathon: Faster than most US trail half marathons. The fastest quarter of the 2025 half marathon field finished under 2:04:15, against 2:16:23 in a typical US trail half marathon, so times here run 9 percent faster.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 4 the day usually runs from 48°F at dawn to 67°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 21% of days. Cold snaps dip to 36°F and hot years reach 75°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 711 1st Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954Map
- Course
- Trail
- Start elevation
- About 2,450 feet
- Results posted by the race
- 2018 Results, 2019 Results, 2020 Results
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Distances
- Half Marathon, Marathon
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 4, 2026), 2025 (Oct 5, 2025), 2024 (Oct 5, 2024), 2023 (Oct 7, 2023), 2022 (Oct 2, 2022), 2021 (Oct 3, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is 2026 Greenbrier River Trail Marathon & Half Marathon?
- Sunday, October 4, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $70 before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 4, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- What distances can I run?
- Half Marathon, Marathon.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 166 runners finished the Full Marathon; the median finish was 4:40:44 and the winner ran 2:49:07.
- Does it sell out?
- It can. 166 runners finished the Marathon in 2025, close to this year's cap of 160, so register early.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 marathon field finished under 3:52:48, against 5:11:37 in a typical US trail marathon, so times here run 25 percent faster.
- Where does it start?
- 711 1st Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954.
- Is there a course map?
- Yes, the organizers publish the route on Strava; the link is under Start location and course.
From the organizers
Experience the natural beauty of West Virginia at the Greenbrier River Trail Marathon and Half Marathon!
This year, we’re celebrating the 9th anniversary of the marathon and the 6th anniversary of the half marathon. Over the years, this beloved event has welcomed runners from all over the United States to the scenic Greenbrier River Trail for a race filled with peaceful river views, forested landscapes, and the unmistakable charm of Pocahontas County.
New this year, both races will feature out-and-back courses beginning and ending in downtown Marlinton. This updated route creates an exciting start-and-finish experience in the heart of the community while giving runners more opportunities to encourage one another along the trail.