Cades Cove Loop Lope
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Cades Cove Loop Lope
The Cades Cove Loop Lope is the only organized footrace held inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 2026 event is scheduled for November 8, 2026. The 2026 edition is sold out and a waitlist is available.
Course options include:
- 5K course that crosses Sparks Lane to the finish line.
- 10-mile option around the entire scenic loop.
Registration opened on June 2, 2026 at 10 a.m. The published registration fee is $107, which includes a $7 processing charge. A limited number of reserved parking passes are offered for $150 and typically sell out quickly.
Proceeds benefit Friends of the Smokies and fund park projects and programs such as historic preservation, wildlife conservation, and native plant and grassland restoration.
Race packets and bibs are distributed at two scheduled pickup times and locations: Thursday, November 5, 2026 from 3 to 6 p.m. at River Sports Outfitters, 2918 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN; and Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Townsend Visitor Center, 7906 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
