On September 7 and 8, runners will escape to the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to run a wooded course with stunning mountain views for the Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon and 5K.
This sought-after race has grown, drawing over 2,000 runners each year. The location of the race in one of the most peaceful and breathtaking areas of the country provides runners with more than a chance to race—but a chance to have the time of their life in the country’s most visited National Park.
With the tagline “run where you play,” Vacation Races, the organization hosting the event, selects some of the best places to run in the country for their races. Race Director Dehn Craig is thrilled to once again host a race in the Smokies.
“The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides our runners with an enjoyable course and diverse, amazing scenery,” said Craig. “We’ve been excited to see the abundance of runners this half marathon and 5K draws year after year.”
A race expo with bib and packet pickup will take place on Friday, September 6 at Talley Ho Inn located at 8314 TN-73 in Townsend from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Runners will receive a race shirt and are encouraged to bring a bag for vendor giveaways. Packet pickup will also be available on race morning before 6:00 a.m.
All parking will be located at the finish line located at Talley Ho Inn with a shuttle to the start line at Heritage High school. The half marathon is set to start at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8.
The 13.1-mile half marathon will follow an old road in the Smokies with an ascent of over 700 feet and a maximum elevation of 1,156 feet.
The 5K will take place the evening before the half marathon on Friday, September 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Talley Ho Inn. The course will follow the Townsend Historic Nature Trail.
Runners who wish to go the extra mile—or extra 3.1 miles to be exact—can enter the Black Bear Double which includes both the half marathon and 5K. Runners who complete the Black Bear Double receive a race shirt, Hydrapouch, two finisher medals and a Black Bear Double medal.
Those interested in hiking in the Smokies can qualify for Clubs or the Trifecta. The hikes include Bunion Club, along the eight-mile trail Charlie’s Bunion Trail, or the LeConte Club, along the difficult 11-mile Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte, the third-highest peak in the Smokies. The Great Smoky Mountains Trifecta includes activities like visiting Cades Cove, Laurel Falls and Clingman’s Dome. Details and rules for the Clubs and Trifecta can be found on the race website.
For runners visiting from out of town, the Townsend area offers many options for accommodations from resorts to hotels to cabins to campgrounds. Although the area is serene and scenic, travel to the Smokies is convenient. McGhee Tyson Airport is only a 30-minute drive to Townsend and has on-site rental cars, and for those driving, there is access through several major highways.
Blount Partnership Director Tourism Kim Mitchell finds runners travel to the area from over 30 states, so the easy-access to the area is critical.
“This side of the Smoky Mountains in the Townsend and Blount County area is peaceful and serene and provides the opportunity to be surrounded by nature while still having ease of transportation,” said Mitchell. “We’re excited to welcome runners to the Smokies and hope they enjoy our diverse selection of restaurants and accommodations.”
For more information or to register for the Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon and 5K visit the race website at greatsmokymountainshalfmarathon.com.