
Race Date
Oct 18, 2026
Location
Charleston, WV
The Kanawha State Forest Half Marathon and 7K offer runners a challenging and scenic experience deep within one of West Virginia’s most iconic natural areas. Set entirely inside Kanawha State Forest, this race takes you along winding forest roads and wooded routes surrounded by dense trees, rolling terrain, and the quiet atmosphere of the hills. The race will start and finish near the Gift Shop, with a scheduled 9AM start time.
Participants can choose between the Half Marathon for a longer, more demanding effort or the 7K for a shorter but still challenging run. As part of the Cryptid Race Series, this event blends forest adventure with local legend and history. Whether you are racing hard or enjoying the atmosphere, this event delivers a memorable fall running experience.
Shirts guaranteed to everyone who registers by October 8th at Midnight. After this time all extras will be first-come, first-served until supplies run out.
Race Day
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Start Time
9:00 AM
Giveaway
T-Shirt
Start Location
7500 Kanawha State Forest Dr, Charleston, WV, 25314
Course Type
Loop Course
Terrain
road
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Also Offers
Median Finish
2:38:17
12:05/mi
Winning Time
1:43:26
7:54/mi
Finishers (2025)
46
States Represented
7 / 50
Gender Split
FASTER 25%
2:14:41
MEDIAN
2:38:17
SLOWER 25%
3:10:59
Start (Low)
44°
Afternoon (High)
64°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.1"
Precipitation
10 mph
Wind
69%
Humidity
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