Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon
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Event overview
The Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K takes place August 28-29, 2026 in Townsend, TN, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The weekend includes a half marathon, a 5K, an expo with bib pickup at the Talley Ho Inn, and a double option called the Black Bear Double that combines both races into one weekend. The event is wheelchair and stroller accessible and notes humid conditions are possible.
Distances
- Half Marathon
- 5K
Course and logistics
The half marathon is a point-to-point course on paved roads and walking paths with an elevation gain of 727 ft and a maximum elevation of 1,097 ft. The course is open to vehicle traffic in places, so runners share the road with cars and must stay within cones. The race is marked with pink reflective ribbons and signage.
Aid and safety: the half marathon has five aid stations; a medic is located at mile 9. Amenities on course include toilets, water, Gnarly Hydrate, Honey Stinger gels, and fruit at later stations. The event is cup-free; participants are asked to carry a reusable bottle or cup. There is a 4-hour time limit for the half marathon (about 18 minutes per mile). Parking and race shuttles stage at Talley Ho Inn; spectators may meet runners at the finish but should not park along the highway. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.