Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K
Townsend, TN
5K - Friday Sep. 6 (6:30pm)
Half Marathon - Saturday Sep. 7 (7:00am)
Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K
Townsend, TN
5K - Friday Sept. 6 (6:30pm)
Half Marathon - Saturday Sept. 7 (7:00am)
Escape to the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies" with a gorgeous course through the woods. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful half marathon!
Quick Info
Race Details
Date: September 6-7, 2019
Location: Townsend, TN
Weather: 63° – 85°F
Half Marathon
Start Time: 7:00am (9/7/19)
Course Type: Point-to-point
Stroller friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed? No
5K & Fun Run
5K Start Time: 6:30pm (9/6/19)
Course Type: Lollipop loop
Stroller friendly? No
Dogs allowed? No
Expo
Friday, September 6th, 2019
Talley Ho Inn - Townsend, TN
Bib & Packet Pickup
Expo pickup recommended. Other options
Registration Periods & Pricing
Early: $99 Nov. 16 – Mar. 3, 2019
Regular: $119 Mar. 4 – Jun. 23, 2019
Late: $139 Jun. 24 – Sep. 6, 2019
Refund Policy
Refunds available during Early Registration (no fee) and Regular Registration ($10 fee).
Deferral, Race Transfer, and Bib Transfer available during all registration periods ($20 fee).
Travel & Other Info
Fly Into
Knoxville (TYS) - 40 min.
Driving Directions: To Talley Ho Inn
Lodging
​​We recommend looking for lodging in Townsend, but Gatlinburg has lots of options as well, though it will be about a 45 minute drive to race HQ.
Previous Race Information
Race Packages & Pricing
Registration is now open!
Sign up today to get early bird pricing.
Registration Periods
Early: Nov. 16–Mar. 3, 2019
Regular: Mar. 4–Jun. 23, 2019
Late: Jun. 24–Sep. 6, 2019
*There is a limited number of entries to each race, and this event may sell out. If the event is sold out, registration will close regardless of registration period.
Half Marathon Course
Our Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon and 5K courses are scenic runs with gorgeous views of the Smoky Mountains and Tennessee countryside. Both events finish in front of the Talley Ho Inn in Townsend, TN - "The Peaceful Side of the Smokies"!
We'll have plenty of parking near the finish for all of our runners and spectators. The 5K starts and finishes in front of the Talley Ho on Friday September 6th. For the half marathon on Saturday the 7th, runners will be shuttled to the start and will finish at the Talley Ho.
>> 5K and Half Marathon course details
>> Black Bear Double details
Half Marathon Aid Stations
At our road half marathons our aid stations typically start at mile 3 and are every other mile after that with a bonus aid station around mile 12. They are not always right at the mile marker so check your race guide to find out where they will be exactly. Our 5K races typically have a single aid station midway through the race.
You can find toilets, water, Go Gnarly electrolyte drink and Honey Stinger gels at every aid station. Usually around mile 7 and 11 we'll have cut fruit and bananas.
At every aid station we'll have basic first aid supplies, and we normally station our EMT's near mile 7.
Our road half marathons and 5Ks are cup-free. That means we will not have disposable cups available for you to use. When you register you will have the option to receive a free hydrapouch with your registration or you can use you own hydration system.
Bib & Packet Pickup
Bib Pickup » You have 3 options for picking up your bib:
1. Pickup at the expo (recommended) ID required
2. Pickup at the start line ID required
3. Mailed 2 weeks before the race ($20)
Bring Your Own Bag » In our ongoing effort to eliminate waste we encourage you to bring your own bag to hold your bib, race shirt, and any goodies you pick up at the race exp.
Race Shirts » If you're unhappy with the fit of your race shirt, or couldn't order the size you wanted we'll host a shirt exchange at the finish line on race day. Note that sizes and quantities will be limited.
Traveling to the Smokies
Where to Stay
There are a few good sources for planning where to stay:
• Explore Townsend
• Peaceful Smokies
• NPS website
We recommend looking for lodging in Townsend, TN, but Gatlinburg has lots of options as well, though it will be about a 45 minute drive to race HQ.
The start, finish, and race expo will be at the Talley Ho Inn in Townsend, TN.
Where to Fly
If you're flying here you'll want to check for flights into McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Plan for a 40 minute drive from Knoxville.
Driving to the Race
Race HQ will be at the Talley Ho Inn in Townsend, TN. Find directions here.
Race Day
Race HQ will be at the Talley Ho Inn in Townsend, TN. We'll have plenty of parking near the start and finish for all of our runners and spectators. We will not have shuttles from around town, so please plan on driving to the start, or walking if you're staying at or close to the Talley Ho Inn. Here's a tentative schedule of events:
4:30 am - Finish line parking area opens
5:00 am – Start line bib pickup begins
5:20 am – First shuttle departs for start line
5:30 am – First prize raffle (every 5 minutes)
6:30 am – Last call for bib pickup / Pacers line up
6:45 am – Runners line up / Last call for gear check
6:55 am – National Anthem
7:00 am – RACE STARTS!
9:45 am – Awards Ceremony
When you finish the race, you'll grab a snack box, take some pictures, hang out and make friends for a while, and then we encourage you to go explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Club Hikes & Trifecta
2018 Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K Post-Race Info
Pictures & Testimonials
Other Half Marathons, Ultra Marathons, & Trail Races
Learn more about our race sponsors and their special offers!
