More new races coming to Asheville in 2014: Another half-marathon and a Spartan race

Here’s the word on two more new races coming to Asheville.

The Asheville Marathon at Biltmore Estate in March, held for the first time last year, is adding a half-marathon option. Registration opens Wednesday.

Also, organizers of Spartan races have announced that they’re bringing a Spartan Super to Asheville next year. There are no details yet. The Spartan series is one variety of obstacle course races that have exploded in popularity in recent years. The Spartan Super is an 8-mile run with obstacles. (The Spartan Sprint is a 3-mile run with obstacles, and the Spartan Beast is a 12-mile run.)

This news follows on the recent news of two other new races planned for Asheville next year: yet another half-marathon, and a half-Ironman.