The Cherokee - Tellico Plains, TN
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The Cherokee - Tellico Plains, TN
The Cherokee is an ultramarathon event scheduled for July 17, 2027 in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, held in the Cherokee National Forest and organized by East Coast Adventures. The event offers multiple distances on trails that include steep climbs, river crossings, and historic routes.
Distances:
- 130K 85 miles, 19,000+ ft gain, 26-hour strict cutoff
- 70K 46 miles, 10,000+ ft gain, 16-hour soft cutoff
- Waucheesi Challenge 24 miles, 5,000 ft climb and 5,000 ft descent, 12-hour cutoff
The 130K has a limited field and requires prior completion of a 50K or longer race within the past 18 months. The Waucheesi Challenge prohibits crew, pacers, and drop bags. Aid stations are themed by day and lantern-lit by night. The course passes features such as Warrior’s Passage, Waucheesi Tower, Buck Bald, the Benton MacKaye Trail, the John Muir Trail, the Hiwassee River, and sections of the historic Unicoi Turnpike.
Mandatory gear includes a water filter, a GPX file on a watch or phone (paper map recommended), an antihistamine, a headlamp to be used throughout the event, and a whistle. Race coverage was livestreamed on YouTube in 2026, and finish festivities and awards are held in Tellico Plains with top three awards by gender for each distance and finisher recognition including a buckle. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
