CraftHalf Half Marathon

One of the larger Piedmont spring halves, with fields between roughly 380 and 730 finishers and a habit of selling out. Foothills Brewing and Junction 311 shut down the longest city block in Winston-Salem for the finish, and entry includes beer, food and the block party.

An out and back from Foothills Brewpub on West 4th Street, rolling through downtown neighborhoods and a park before a long descent that has to be climbed again. Timing mats sit on that mile 12 ascent with a prize for the fastest split, which tells you how much it hurts.

Early April in the Piedmont is mild and often humid, starting in the 40s or 50s and warming through the morning. Pollen is heavy this time of year, which catches out visiting runners more than the hills do.