The Cherokee - Tellico Plains, TN
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Event overview
The Cherokee is a trail ultramarathon held in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, in the Cherokee National Forest on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The race uses Tellico Plains High School as the start and finish location. Registration opens September 1 and closes July 17. The organizer states no refunds or deferrals.
Distances and entry rules
- 130K : 85 miles; 19,000+ ft gain; 26-hour strict cutoff; field cap limited.
- 70K : 46 miles; 10,000+ ft gain; 16-hour soft cutoff.
- Waucheesi Vert Challenge : 24 miles; 5,000 ft climb and 5,000 ft descent; summit of Waucheesi.
Eligibility for the 130K requires a prior 50K-plus finish within the past 18 months. An early start option is available for the 130K; entrants using it are not podium-eligible.
Course, services, and policies
Course highlights include Warrior’s Passage, Waucheesi Tower, Buck Bald, the Benton MacKaye Trail, the John Muir Trail, the Hiwassee River and Reliance, and sections of the historic Unicoi Turnpike. The event will offer on-course aid stations, themed day stations and lantern-lit night stations, a finisher celebration at the high school, and live coverage on YouTube with on-course tracking and interviews. Mandatory gear includes a water filter, a GPX file on device (paper map recommended), an antihistamine, a headlamp, and a whistle. Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers in each distance; finishers may receive a buckle and swag under stated registration conditions. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
