Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon
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Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon
The Great Smoky Mountains weekend takes place in Townsend, Tennessee and includes a road half marathon and a Friday evening 5K. The event runs along the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and finishes at the Talley Ho Inn.
- 13.1 miles Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon
- 5 km Great Smoky Mountains 5K
The half marathon is a point-to-point, mostly uphill course with about 439 feet of elevation gain and five aid stations. It is an open course that shares some stretches of road with local traffic; runners are asked to keep to the right and follow course markings. The 5K is a mostly paved, relatively flat route along the Townsend Historical Trail, with one aid station and tree-lined views, starting and finishing at the Talley Ho Inn.
A Black Bear Double option pairs the Friday 5K and Saturday half marathon using the same bib; finishers receive medals for each race plus an additional Black Bear Double medal and a special swag item. Expo and bib pickup are held at the Parkman Hotel, and weekend parking and shuttles run from that location to the start area. The course is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The event operates a cup-free, zero-waste policy; participants should bring a reusable bottle, cup, or hydration pack for on-course fluids. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
