Every April, the Asheville Marathon runs past our front door.
Runners from across the country move through the Montford Historic District — past our porch, under the old pines, along the same streets that wind through one of Asheville’s most beautiful neighborhoods. It happens once a year. But the running? That’s year-round.
Pinecrest B&B is in the heart of Montford, about three miles from Biltmore Estate, and well-positioned for road and trail running throughout the region. If you’re a runner — or a walker who just needs to move in the morning — this is a particularly good place to stay. Here’s why.
Run the Asheville Marathon Course from Our Front Door
The Pinecrest 5K is a verified 3.1-mile loop through Montford that follows part of the actual Asheville Marathon course. Your route brochure includes turn-by-turn directions, so there’s no guessing — just lace up and go.
The loop takes you through tree-lined streets past Victorian homes and along quiet stretches that feel nothing like a typical city run. Nearly all of it is paved sidewalk, with a few short unpaved stretches — on those sections, hug the shoulder and face oncoming traffic.
We walked it recently and it took just under an hour, including a pitstop back at the B&B about a third of the way through — good to know that’s an option if you need water, a rest, or just want to check in before finishing the loop. For Asheville, the route is notably flat, which is saying something in a mountain city. Runners will cover it faster; walkers will find it completely manageable. Either way, the neighborhood makes it worth the effort.
Finish your loop and you’ll earn a spot on the Finisher Frame in our foyer. Sign the mat, tag us @PinecrestBB, and use #PinecrestFinisher — your name joins everyone who’s completed this route.
The Pinecrest Finisher Package
We put together a simple package for guests who want to run the 5K during their stay. For $15, it includes a homemade protein granola bar, an electrolyte packet, and our Pinecrest 5K route brochure with turn-by-turn directions through Montford.
Optional add-on: Recovery Massage — a 60-minute in-room massage with our therapist. Scheduled separately and subject to availability. Add it at checkout or contact us to make arrangements.
Add the Finisher Package from our list of Add-ons when you book your room.
For Trail Runners: Bent Creek and the Pisgah
If the 5K has you wanting more miles and you’re drawn to the woods, Bent Creek Experimental Forest is worth the 20-minute drive south of Pinecrest. With 25-plus miles of multi-use trails through rolling forested terrain, it’s the kind of place you can return to across multiple visits and never run the same route twice. For more elevation and a bigger adventure, the Pisgah Ranger District lies just beyond Bent Creek.
About the Asheville Marathon
The Asheville Marathon runs every spring, and the Montford portion of the course is one of the reasons runners love it — a genuinely beautiful route through a neighborhood that earns its reputation.
If you’re running the race and want to stay steps from the course, Pinecrest is a natural choice. Rooms fill early for marathon weekend, so book ahead if that’s your plan. We’re happy to talk through logistics — start times, packet pickup, where to eat the night before — whenever you’re ready.
What Runners Appreciate About Staying at Pinecrest
A few things that come up again and again when runners stay with us:
- Montford is quiet in the early morning. You can get out the door before 6 a.m. and hear nothing but birds.
- Breakfast is substantial. We take the morning meal seriously, and after an early run, that matters. Our granola is made in-house.
- We’re adults-only (12+). The house is calm, particularly in the early hours when runners tend to be up before everyone else.
- We know the area. Dan and Diane can give you current, specific route recommendations — not just what’s on a map.
Ready to run Asheville? Reserve your room and add the Finisher Package at checkout. Questions? Contact us — we’re happy to help you plan.