Limited time offer

Ends soon

2026 Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K

Name: 2026 Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K
Start: 2026-08-28T04:00:00Z
End: 2026-08-28T04:00:00Z
Location: 8314 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, USA

From $90

LIMITED TIME OFFER

5 +

2026 Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K

Not quite ready to register?

Save this event for later and come back to it when you're ready.

Booked 62 times in the last week

$90 - $289

Booked 62 times in the last week

About

Escape to the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies" with a gorgeous Half Marathon course through the woods. This point-to-point course is paved, and you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful destination! With the Smoky Mountain Half Marathon, 5K and Black Bear Double (Half Marathon + 5K) you can choose your own adventure.

Black Bear Double, 5k and Half Marathon

View details

Fri, Aug 28, 2026 - Sat, Aug 29, 2026

View logistics

Townsend, United States

View location

Where and when

Location

8314 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, USA

Start times

Friday, Aug 28, 2026

5k: 6:00 PM

Saturday, Aug 29, 2026

Half Marathon: 7:00 AM

Event summary

Here are the distances available for 2026 Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon & 5K

Black Bear Double

$289

Half Marathon

13.1mi

$189

5km

free - $90

Route information

Half Marathon

~21 km (13.1 mi), moderate difficulty, paved roads + walking paths. The elevation gain is about 727 ft (≈ 222 m). The course is point-to-point; finish line is at Talley Ho Inn in Townsend.

Open-road sections (traffic may be present), especially on main roads. Runners are expected to stay to the right, follow course markings, and respect traffic.

Evening run on the Friday before. Starts and finishes at the Talley Ho Inn, using local trails/walking paths. More relaxed but still with good organisation.

What's included

Finisher’s medal, race shirt, and swag (incl. special items if you sign up for the Black Bear Double – both the 5K + Half Marathon)
Chip timing and official finishing results
Aid stations along the half-marathon course with water, hydration (e.g. “Gnarly”), bathrooms, and basic first aid
Expo & packet/bib pickup at Talley Ho Inn the day before, plus race-morning options
Race day gear check, shuttle service to the start line, race announcements, post-race awards ceremonies

How to get there

8314 TN-73, Townsend, TN 37882, USA

Get full directions

By Plane

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) ~30 minutes by car; Nashville (BNA) and Atlanta (ATL) are further away.

Accommodation

Talley Ho Inn is central for race start/finish, but lodging is limited and books up fast. Other lodging options are available around Townsend or in nearby towns.

Parking & shuttles

Parking is available near Talley Ho Inn at the finish line.

On race morning, parking opens around 4:30 am at the finish area.

Shuttles run from parking areas to the start line (boarding approx. 5:15-6:00 am). There is no parking at the start.