The race is still months away, but registration is available.

The fifth annual Mother Earth Brewing Ironclad Half Marathon and 5K is slated for Oct. 19 and spots are filling up. Considered the most welcoming half-marathon in Eastern North Carolina, the route takes runners through most of Kinston, starting and finishing at Historic Grainger Stadium.

The cost to run the 5K race is $25 and the half-marathon is $55.

Race director Amy Albritton said the event came from humble beginnings and started with about 100 participants. Now, there are plans to accommodate 1,000 this year.

“A group of us were together and the big driving force was that we wanted to bring people to Kinston, to show them there were great things happening in this community. We also wanted to put on a quality race that we felt was really affordable.

“I think one of the reasons that it has been successful is that we’re intentionally wanting to grow it slowly. Each year we’ve allowed a certain amount of runners, therefore I’m growing it at a rate that we can manage it and not lose some of the perks in terms of the race. We’re known for its hometown feel and if I grow it too quickly, I think that’s something we would lose.”

Albritton said it’s possible for anyone to finish the 5K and even the half-marathon, but it will take dedication.

“Nothing good comes easy,” Albritton said. “You’re going to have to work at it but it’s definitely doable. You could actually start training at the end of July and you would be ready for the half-marathon. We design it so that you have a little additional time so you can do intervals —that would be run/walk. If I were to tell a beginner how to start, I would say ‘why don’t you start walking first and try to get yourself to walk a 15-minute mile. Then, try to walk three miles in 45 minutes. Once you’re able to tolerate that, then I’d start doing some run/walk.”

For additional information or to register, go to ironcladraces.org.