Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon
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Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K
The Great Smoky Mountains event takes place in Townsend, TN, on August 28-29, 2026. It includes a point-to-point half marathon and a separate 5K road race, and offers a weekend option to run both events as the Black Bear Double.
Distances
- 13.1 miles Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon
- 5K Great Smoky Mountains 5K
The half marathon runs along the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with a point-to-point finish at the Talley Ho Inn. The course is open to traffic in places and is marked and supported with multiple aid stations. The 5K follows the Townsend Historical Trail, starts and finishes at the Talley Ho Inn, and is relatively flat with gentle rolling sections. Aid station counts are listed for each distance.
Race weekend logistics include an expo and bib pickup at the Talley Ho Inn, parking at the finish area, and shuttles to the half marathon start. There is no parking at the start line and no post-race shuttles. The event follows a cup-free policy; runners should bring a reusable bottle, cup, or hydration pack. The course is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Awards include place medals for top finishers by gender and masters categories, and finisher medals for all finishers. Live results and event photos are provided online. Volunteers can earn race credits. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
