If there’s one race I look forward to every single year, it’s hands down the Mother Earth Brewing Half Marathon & 5K held every October in Kinston, North Carolina. This race truly has it all—a beautiful course, fun atmosphere, incredible swag, and the best post-race spread I’ve ever seen.
Hosted at the iconic Grainger Stadium, the home of Kinston’s minor league baseball team, this race kicks off in a big way—literally. Each race begins with a cannon blast right in front of the stadium, setting an energetic tone from the very first step. Whether you’re running the 5K or the half marathon, you’re in for a well-organized, unforgettable experience.
The course itself offers a nice variety for runners. While it does feature some rolling hills, especially through the downtown Kinston area, there are also plenty of flat sections that allow you to get into a steady rhythm. It’s a great blend that keeps things interesting but manageable.
But let me tell you, the finish line is something special. You enter the stadium through the bullpen, then run along the third base line, pass home plate, and continue down the first base line to finish your race. It’s a memorable, stadium-style finish that makes you feel like a star athlete crossing home plate.
And now for the best part: the post-race food. I’m not exaggerating when I say this race has one of the most legendary food spreads around. After you finish, you’re greeted with a long table filled with food to replenish all that energy you just burned. We’re talking pizza, bagels, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, BBQ, mac and cheese, and more. It’s like a runner’s buffet dream come true.
If you’re a fan of a good cold beer after a run, you’re in luck. As part of the experience, runners get to enjoy free beer from Mother Earth Brewing, a local favorite. And don’t skip the ice cream sandwich from TundraTown, the local ice cream parlor. It’s a DELICIOUS chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich, and yes—it’s as amazing as it sounds.
Another reason I adore this race is the attention to design and detail. The race logo changes every year and is always creative and high-quality. If you run the half marathon, you get a HUGE medal featuring that year’s awesome logo—we’re talking as big as your face! The race swag is always top-notch quality and something you’ll actually want to wear.
Also, the place awards they give out are very unique! Last year they had pottery mugs and beer tap handles!! So Cool!
They also run some amazing promotions and giveaways leading up to race day, with chances to win free entries and prizes. It’s clear the organizers truly care about creating a fun and rewarding experience for every runner.
Whether you’re local to Eastern North Carolina or looking for a fall race to travel to, the Mother Earth Brewing Half Marathon & 5K needs to be on your list.
It’s the kind of race that reminds you why you fell in love with running in the first place. And as long as they keep hosting it, I’ll keep running it—and raving about it!
Check out some Tik Toks I have made of the race below!
REGISTER HERE: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Kinston/MotherEarthBrewingIroncladHalfMarathon5k?raceRefCode=woJTgAc6