What's the altitude in Asheville? (live, moving to, estate)

[EvanstonGirl]

Believe it or not, I have not been able to find this out through Google. Maybe because I can't find my glasses, and it's there in front of me. But I'm set to run a 15K race there on May 16, and my husband said, "You know, it will be harder because of the altitude." That never occurred to me -- I've been there recently, I knew it was higher than Chicago, obviously, but I didn't think it was high enough to make a difference during exercise. Anyone have any experience with exercising hard after moving to Asheville from sea level?

[young92]

Where is the race? DT Asheville is around 2000 - 2500 ft but some areas are around 5000 ft Depends on where you are.

My niece is a runner and lives near Chicago. She has more problems with our hills than she does the altitude.

[EvanstonGirl]

The race is through the grounds of the Biltmore estate. It has to be one of the most beautiful locations I can think of to run. There are two big hills in the first half; the second half is downhill or flat. I know the hills will give me problems -- I'll slow down or walk if I have to -- but was not even thinking about altitude.

[ShipOfFools42]

The Biltmore area is 2000-2100 feet in altitude. The altitude really doesn't seem to have much effect on me when I'm hiking and just generally exercising outside. I'm not a runner or anything, but I haven't noticed the altitude making it harder to breathe or anything. It's certainly not like the Rockies.

[waytosouth]

For the most part around Asheville altitude won't be a factor....the hills are what get most of the out of town runners I know. I hike a lot with my job and really don't start feeling a difference unless we are above 4,500 feet.

[EvanstonGirl]

Thanks to all for the great information. Sounds like I just need to prepare myself for the hills, and maybe some warm weather.