🏃‍♂️🎉 Fellowship of the Idiot Run – 23 Years of Idiocy! 🎉🏃‍♀️

March 21, 2026

It’s official — we’re celebrating the 23rd year of the Fellowship of the Idiot Run (FOTI)! This legendary run is proudly put on by the Uwharrie Brewing Running Club along with Jason Britney, and it continues to be one of the most unique and beloved long runs around.

🗓️ Important Dates

February 21
Last day to register and receive a personalized race bib with your name.

March 7
Final day to order Fellowship of the Idiot T-shirts, hoodies, and tank tops.

💸 Cost & Donations

Returning Idiots:
 This is a FREE event — but donations are strongly encouraged to help cover the cost of:

• Police & Sheriff support
• Emergency Medical services
• Food & snacks
• Permits, bibs & insurance
• YMCA Pavilion rental
   (With 300–400 participants, it takes a village… of Idiots 😉)

New Idiots:
 $19.70 registration (for the legendary 19.7 miles) This helps cover your official FOTI shirt and race expenses.

📅 Why the Date Change?

Traditionally, FOTI is held three weeks before the Myrtle Beach Marathon and two weeks before the Ellerbe Marathon — the perfect long training run.  This year, we’ve moved it to March 21st due to ensure we have enough time to deliver a truly first-class Idiot experience.

⏰ Start Times & Format (Rolling Start!)

We’re keeping the popular rolling start format from last year — with a little more flexibility.

Start Window: 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM

Finish Cutoff: 9:45 AM (no exceptions)

You may start anytime within the window, but you must finish by 9:45 AM. Use the pace guide below to plan wisely:

🧮 Pace Guide

11:25 min/mile or faster:
 Start anytime between 5:00–6:00 AM

12:57 min/mile:
 Start no later than 5:30 AM

14:28 min/mile:
 Start at 5:00 AM

👉 If you’re faster than 11:25 pace, you’re golden — pick any start time you like.

🗺️ The Course

The Fellowship of the Idiot Run is a 19.7-mile, non-timed run that takes you:

From the Stanly County Family YMCA

Up to the top of Morrow Mountain

And back to the YMCA

Expect hills, sunrise views, camaraderie, and plenty of character-building miles.

Route: FOTI Route

💡 Donations and FOTI apparel purchases are greatly appreciated — they’re what keep this incredible run alive year after year.

👕 Becoming an Idiot

First-time finishers of the full 19.7 miles earn:

• The coveted Fellowship of the Idiot Ringer T-Shirt
• And official recognition of your IDIOT Title

The shirt is legendary — and yes, it will quickly become one of your favorites.

⚠️ Important: You must complete the full 19.7-mile course to earn the shirt.

🏃 Shorter Distance Options

Training for a half marathon or just want fewer miles? We’ve got you covered:

12-Mile Option:
 Turn around at the corner of Valley Drive & Morrow Mountain Road

14+ Mile Option:
 Turn around at the front gate of Morrow Mountain State Park

(These options do not qualify for the Idiot shirt — but they do qualify for bragging rights.)

🚻 Facilities

Bathrooms & showers available at the YMCA starting at 7:00 AM

Please bring your own towel

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Run

• Amazing volunteers and on-course support
• A stunning sunrise from the top of Morrow Mountain
• Great food and snacks at the finish
• An unforgettable community vibe only the Fellowship of the Idiot Run can deliver

📦 Packet Pick-Up

Friday, March 20, 2026
 📍 Uwharrie Brewing
 ⏰ 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
 121 N. Third St., Albemarle, NC 28001

Saturday Morning (Race Day)
 📍 Stanly County Family YMCA Pavilion
 ⏰ 4:30 AM
 427 N. First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001

👉 The Pavilion is located in the YMCA Park, next to the playground, across the street from the YMCA.

Aid Stations & Radio Crew:

We will have aid stations at approximately the following mile markers:  2.5, 4.5, 6.0, 8.2, 9.81, 11.36, 13.6, 15.5, 17.0 18.0
We will have Gatorade and Gu's at 4.2 (Big Chair)  and Top of the Morrow. 

Also, the Stanly County Amateur Radio Club will be stationed along the course.  If you need any help, stop and ask them.

SPONSORS:

Our Primary Sponsor is: First Bank.  Without their support, we wouldn't be able to put this race on. Please support this business. Thank You.

Secondary Sponsors:

• Visit Stanly
• YMCA of Stanly
• Stanly Amateur Radio

History of the Idiot Run:

Back in the winter of 2003, Peter Asciutto, Derek Blalock, Joe Korzelius, Ryan Owens, Craig Gunkle, Lee Allen and Larry Hyde were training for various marathons.  The friends decided to meet one morning at the Stanly County Family YMCA, in the dead of the winter, to run to the top of Morrow Mountain and back.  They started their legendary journey at 5:00 am with the temperature at 20 degrees.

By the time they got to the six-mile mark, their water bottles were frozen, as was the water they dropped along the course the previous evening. Word of their travels made it to the local newspaper and the Stanly News and Press ran an article about their adventure.   

Renee Asciutto, wife at the time of Charter Member Peter Asciutto, was getting a massage a few days after the story ran in the paper.  During her massage, Greta, the massage therapist asked her, "Did you read in the paper where those Idiots ran to the top of Morrow Mountain and back in the freezing temperature."  Renee quickly replied, "My husband is one of those Idiots."  

Thus the Fellowship of the Idiots was born.

The Idiot Store will be posted soon!Lets go idiots!

For questions, you can call  Joey Collins 704-984-0921 or email: vatechhokies1989@gmail.com