12 running, fun run, and walking events in Maryville, Tennessee

WANDERERS' 5k TRAIL RACE and KIDS TRAIL MILE

TIME & PLACE: 5K starts at 2:00pm. Kids Race starts at 1:30pm. Starts/finishes at McArthur Pavilion at Maryville College in Maryville TN.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 5k course meanders through the woods , crossing hills, dales, rocks, roots, streams, and grassy knolls. Kid’s Trail Mile precedes main race at 1:30pm, running a similar fun course in the woods. You can view the course here: Wanderers Route

POST RACE: We'll have our usual post-race fare at the Pavilion after the race. Once we cheer everyone in, we'll head over to TriHop Brewery in Downtown Maryville for more fun. The Drift Boat Cowboys will be on-stage and your bib will get you a discount on your recovery fluids!

REGISTRATION AND FEES (NO REFUNDS AND NO BIB TRANSFERS): Registration fees above, KTC member discount accepted. Not a member of KTC? Sign up here!

SPECIAL SERIES REGISTRATION OFFERS: Sign up online for 7 for $109 Season Pass, or Kids 7 for $29 Kids Pass bundle deals and SAVE BIG! Trail Series Season Passes Expires June 1.

T-SHIRTS: Special limited edition T-shirts will be printed for the series. This is the same shirt as at all other Treadin’ Trodden Trails races; one shirt per runner PER SEASON please. Taking multiple shirts reduces monies we are able to donate to trail-friendly causes.

TTT SERIES AWARDS: At the end of the trail race season, we will be awarding the top 3 in each division free race entries. We will announce the winners at the KTC Holiday Party in December. To qualify for series awards, you'll need to be a member of KTC and you will need to have volunteered two times during the course of the trail race season.

RESULTS: Results will be available on the Knoxville Track Club website: www.ktc.org, and on Runsignup.com.

COURSE ETIQUETTE: We reserve the right to disqualify anyone who exhibits unsportsmanlike conduct or is abusive to volunteers.

AID STATIONS: Aid will be provided, but in an effort to be greener, we urge all runners to carry their own water with a handheld or collapsible cup. We also strongly recommend that anyone sensitive to insect stings or bites carry their own medication. Finally, we urge that everyone do some pre-race training offroad, as there is no substitute for experience. We want you to have a good time.

SAFETY POLICY CLARIFICATION: Our primary goal is to keep everybody safe out there in the woods. We've had some interest by younger folks in running the longer races, and we're all over that idea, but we are also concerned about their safety. For the remainder of the season (and moving forward), if a runner is under 12 years old, he or she will need to be accompanied by an adult in order to run the adult race (i.e. not the kids mile).Also, and this is less of a safety concern and more of a concern for the welfare of our volunteers: We need to start enforcing the 18:00/mile minimum pace. This has been our policy all along but we've gotten a little lax and this keeps our volunteers in the woods far longer than they should have to be. Moving forward, each race will have a sweeper, and runners will need to be moving at greater than an 18:00/mile pace to stay in the race. Don't get caught by the sweep!

DON'T TAKE A BIB IF YOU'RE NOT RUNNING. This is safety-related - we want to make sure that everybody who starts the race stays safe. If you take a bib, we think you're running the race. Then when you don't show up at the finish, we have to try and track you down and make sure you're not lost in the woods or hurt. So please -- if you're not running the race, don't take a bib. Also, if you have to drop out of the race, please let one of the race officials know so you are accounted for. Also, don't crunch or fold the bib, or tear off the bottom. We need an unspoiled bib to record your time and finish place.

INFO FOR RUNNING OR VOLUNTEERING: We love our volunteers! Please connect with us if you'd like to volunteer ([email protected]), and you can find openings at the "Volunteer" link above

KTC SAFETY POLICY: The Knoxville Track Club Board of Directors has approved an Event Safety Policy, viewable here: Weather Policy. Please familiarize yourself with it.

This 5K is a walk/run to support recovery from addictions of all types. Race on your own or do it with a team of 5! Teams are less per runner and you can fundraise to pay for the team's registration. Net proceeds will allow us to continue to help our recovery community. Please visit our website for more information on our organization.

Individual Racers - Register between January 1, 2026 - February 16, 2026 for a reduced price of $35!!

Registration cost will go up to $40 on February 17, 2026.

Team Racers - Register between January 1, 2026 - February 16, 2026 for a reduced price of $30 per person!!

Registration cost will go up to $35 per person on February 17, 2026.

++There is NO GUARANTEE of receiving a T-shirt after March 6th due to Order Deadline++

Check our our Facebook Event to stay up to date to all the activities for the day->4th Annual Race for Recovery

Be a hero for the kids! Join us at the Maryville Greenbelt Amphitheater on Saturday, April 25, 2026 for our seventh annual Heroes for Hope 5K & Fun Run fundraiser. Let's join forces and get moving to raise awareness for child abuse prevention. All proceeds benefit New Hope Children's Advocacy Center. Remember to register before April 10th to ensure you receive a t-shirt.

Did you know that 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before the age of 18? At New Hope, our mission is to restore hope to abused or traumatized children and their families in Blount County. We believe every child deserves a healthy, safe childhood.

Use your superpower to take a stand against child abuse, and register for our race today!

AGE GROUPS:

• 5K - Adult

• 5K - Child (10 and under)

• Fun Run - Child (10 and under)

• VIRTUAL 5K - All Ages

• Sleeping But Supporting - Sponsor a Child’s Race Entry

FUN RUN & TRADITIONAL 5K:

The Fun Run will start at 8:00am, and the in-person 5K will start at 8:30am on Saturday, April 25, beginning and ending at the Maryville Greenbelt Amphitheater.

VIRTUAL OPTION:

The virtual option may be run anywhere, any time. Your time must be submitted before 11:59pm on race day (April 25).

PACKET PICK-UP:

Packet pick-up will be available for on Friday, April 24 from 3-6pm at the Maryville Greenbelt Pavilion next to the Amphitheater.

**If you are running with a Champion, T-Shirt, or Superhero level sponsor group, your packet will be delivered to your place of business.

T-SHIRTS:

If you select a t-shirt option in your registration by April 10, your t-shirt will be available during packet pick-up and at check-in on race day.

Registrations submitted after Friday, April 11 will not be guaranteed a t-shirt. (Be sure to register early!)

SPONSOR A CHILD’S RACE ENTRY:

Not able to run or attend but still want to make a difference? You can sponsor a child’s race entry for local Elementary Run Club participants who otherwise would not have the means to join. Your gift gives them the opportunity to experience the Fun Run or 5K and be part of this special event while supporting child abuse prevention.

RACE DAY PARKING:

Public parking for the 5K is located:

• Between Broadway & Church Street

• Across from Dandy Lions Gifts

• Parking garage between Harper & Broadway

RACE DAY CHECK-IN:

Race day check-in will be available from 7:30-8:15am at the pavilion next to the Amphitheater.

THE COURSE:

Visit HERE to view our certified course map.

RESULTS:

Because the course is very narrow in parts, we will have a staggered start time. Every start time will be announced by air horn or whistle. Runners will be scored on chip time. Results will be available after the race on the "Results" page. Winners of each age group will be announced and awarded at the end of the 5K.

RACE GROUPS:

Male: <10, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, >60

Female: <10, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, >60

SUBMIT YOUR TIME:

The virtual race can be run anywhere, any time through the end of race day. Participants will have the option to submit their time via the RunSignup race page under "Results." See below for instructions:

1. On this page's menu, select "Results"

2. Select "Submit Virtual Results"

3. Find your registration by searching either first or last name, email, or DOB

4. On your registration, click "Submit Virtual Results"

5. Add your time and click "Submit Results"

SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

We are excited to partner with several local businesses to make this a fun, family-friendly event. If you are a business interested in sponsoring the race financially or through in-kind services, please email Marketing & Events Director Anna Ferrell at [email protected]. We would love to partner with you!

OTHER INFORMATION:

All children must be accompanied by a legal guardian or caregiver at all times during the event. Children may not be left unattended during or after the Fun Run.

Please ensure that all pets remain on a leash at all times.

This race will be a rain or shine event! No refunds.

Keeping with tradition, Harmony's 14th annual Mudder's Day Madness Mud Run is the Saturday before Mother’s Day, May 9th, 2026. During our traditional 5K, the course spans across Montvale’s muddiest trails with 20 obstacles. From Adversity Hill to the Tire Traverse to the A-Frame Climb, runners from ages 8 and up can race on their own or with a team. Costumes are encouraged and celebrated! In addition to our 5K, we also have a family friendly, untimed Fun Run for anyone ages 4 and up! The Fun Run distance is about 1.2 miles and will include trail running, field running, obstacles, and mud, of course! Early bird pricing ends after February 28th, so register today!

Medals will be presented for fastest 3 male & 3 female 18+ overall, and for the fastest 3 male & 3 female 17 and under overall only. Trophies will be awarded to the largest team, best team costumes, and fastest team! All participants will get swag and a participation pin! Vendors, food trucks, refreshments, and music will be onsite for all to enjoy. NEW THIS YEAR! 1 free beer for every 21+ registered participant after the event! We'd like to give a huge thank you to Peaceful Side Brewery for making this possible by sponsoring our beer tent again this year!

Funds raised from this event will support Harmony’s therapeutic programming at Camp Montvale which includes our equine therapy program and therapeutic camps for foster and adoptive children and families.

• Parking does not open until 8:15. Please do not arrive before 8:15am. ALL participants/spectators must park in the designated, fenced-in parking area at the front of the property. (Accessible parking is available. Please ask parking attendant for more information.) There will be a short walk to get to the event. Due to traffic flow concerns, all participants should leave their car parked until after they complete the race. Participants who pick up their race packets on race day will need to stay at the event until they are finished with the race; leaving/re-entry will not be permitted. Feel free to enjoy breakfast and/or coffee from one of our food trucks while waiting for your start window.

• Racers can begin bag check at 8:15am and groups will begin running as soon as 10am.

• All teams must have a minimum of 4 participants. If any team does not have 4 teammates by April 30th, the members of the team will be changed to individual runners.

• All 5K participants and teams will be timed! Teams that want to compete in the fastest team category will be timed at the 4th teammate to cross the finish line's time.

• Ages 8 and up are allowed to register and participate in the 5K. The trail is challenging, we ask that parents or guardians stick close to their children on the course.

• Ages 4 and up are allowed to register and participate in the Fun Run. It will begin at 11:15am. Parents - while this course is not as challenging as the 5K, it will include difficult terrain, obstacles, and mud, so please use your best judgement in allowing children to participate without you. Waivers for all participants will be signed prior to running.

• You will be running on uneven terrain with wet and muddy obstacles for both the 5K and Fun Run courses. Therefore, the use of headphones, baby strollers, bicycles, roller blades, and pets are prohibited.

• You do not want to lose a shoe, so we highly recommend that you tape your shoes! We will have very limited tape available on a first come first serve basis. Please plan to bring your own tape.

• Changing areas and outdoor showers are available post-race.

• Any runner remaining on the course 12:30pm will be picked up by race personnel.

REGISTRATION

Online registration is available through May 3, 2026. Guaranteed shirt cut-off is April 2nd! Shirts and bibs must be picked up in advance of the race. Participants who registered after April 2nd will have first come first serve shirt options at packet pickup.

If space allows, we will reopen the event for registrations during the week of the race. Once the race is at capacity, we will close registration. Therefore, REGISTRATION ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT IS LIKELY NOT AN OPTION AND SHOULD NOT BE COUNTED ON.

WINDOWED START TIME FOR 5K

The race will have windowed start time corrals: 10:00-10:30, 10:30-11:00, and 11:00-11:30. You may cross the start line at any time during your chosen time window! You must select your windowed corral when you register. Each corral is capped at a predetermined number of registrants. If the window you prefer is full, choose any open window and then contact us at [email protected] to make the correction. Teams should choose a window prior to registration and share with all team members for their registration. Any team or individual interested in competing should place themselves at the beginning of whatever window chosen to avoid as much congestion as possible. We recommend all participants who intend on walking the course select the first window, as all participants still on the course at 12:30pm will be picked up by race personnel.

RACE PACKET PICK-UP

Please let us know if you will be picking up packets for 4+ people prior to you picking up! We will need the pickup person's name, the other participants names, and the location of packet pickup in order to be prepared for you. Please email [email protected] with this information.

Monday, May 4th from 4-7pm- Xul Beer Company, 213 E 5th Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917

Wednesday, May 6th from 9am-5pm- Harmony Office, 118 Mabry Hood Road, Suite 200, Knoxville, TN 37922

Thursday, May 7th from 4-7pm, Peaceful Side Brewery, 106 Everett Ave., Maryville, TN 37804

Limited packet pick up is available on race day. Please arrive at/after 8:30am to pick up packets race morning. NOTE: Parking does not open until 8:15. Please do not arrive before 8:15am. ALL participants/spectators must park in the designated, fenced-in parking area at the front of the property. (Accessible parking is available. Please ask parking attendant for more information.) There will be a short walk to get to the event. Due to traffic flow concerns, all participants should leave their car parked until after they complete the race. Participants who pick up their race packets on race day will need to stay at the event until they are finished with the race; leaving/re-entry will not be permitted. Feel free to enjoy breakfast and/or coffee from one of our food trucks while waiting for your start window.

Racers can begin bag check at 8:15am and groups will begin running as soon as 10am.

T-SHIRTS

T-shirts guaranteed for all who register by April 2, 2026.

MEDALS

Medals will be presented for fastest 3 male & 3 female 18+ overall, and for the fastest 3 male & 3 female 17 and under overall only.

Team award trophies will be given on event day for the Largest Team, the Fastest Team (teams that want to compete in the fastest team category will be timed at the 4th teammate to cross the finish line's time), and the Best Dressed Team. To compete in Best Dressed please check in with the Harmony Family Center table in the Runner's Village prior to the race.

TIMING

Race Day Events will be timing this event. Contact Martin Coleman at [email protected] with any questions.

This event is timed electronically with a timing chip attached to your race bib. Your race number/chip is programmed to coincide with your individual race number. During the event, you will cross mats that will record your time from your disposable race bib. Please do not BEND, TEAR OR ALTER your race number. Runners must wear the bibs on the FRONT of their person, and must wear the bib number associated with their name.

RESULTS

Race Day Events will be timing this event. Results will be available at www.RunSignUp.com.

INFORMATION

For information on running, sponsoring, or volunteering on race day please contact [email protected]

WEATHER DELAY/CANCELLATIONS

The Race Director will monitor the weather and make a decision if any action will be taken to modify the race. Possible changes include: altering the start time, altering the course, or in extreme situations cancellation of the event. Visible lightning occurring within 30 minutes of the scheduled start will cause the race to be postponed for a minimum of 30 minutes. Additional sightings will continue to delay the race in 30-minute increments up to a maximum of 3 delays.

Race personnel reserve the right to delay, cancel, or suspend the race or modify the course due to inclement weather. As stated on registration and race pages, there are no refunds or transfers. Participants must abandon the race if ordered to do so by the race personnel, medical staff, fire/paramedics or police personnel.

Experience one of the fastest and most scenic half marathons in East Tennessee. The Little River Rush Half Marathon offers a unique point-to-point course through the peaceful back roads of Townsend, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views and free from the congestion of busier race locations.

Starting at the Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, the course travels one direction to Heritage High School, showcasing over 600 feet of total descent and more than 200 feet of net downhill, making this a truly fast and rewarding race experience, It's really downhill, like actually, check the course profile down below!

Race Details

Runner Check-In & Packet Pickup:

All participants must pick up their race bib during one of the scheduled packet pickup times:

Thursday Evening 5/14 5-7:30pm (Location TBA)

Saturday Morning 5/16 6:00- 7:00am from Parking/ Finish area at Heritage High School

Race Morning:

PARKING: ALL PARTICIPANTS SHOULD PARK AT THE HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL (FINISH AREA) AND BE BUSSED TO THE START!

*Parking at the start is up to individuals to determine transportation from finish to their vehicles.

Busses will transport participants from Finish to Start (Staging from Peaceful Side Social, Townsend Square Dr.)

RACE START: 7:30am

START: Peaceful Side Social (Townsend Square Dr.)

FINISH: Heritage High School

Finisher Medals:

All finishers will receive a custom finishers race medal.

Register by May 1 to guarantee your finisher medal!

Awards:

Top 3 Overall (Male & Female)

Top 3 per Age Group (Male & Female):

Under 19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70+

Shirts:

Order deadline is May 1st!

Race Day Amenities

Restrooms:

Portable will be available at Herritage High School, and also at the Start area. There will be also be Portables located along the course, locations TBA closer to race date.

Aid Stations:

Located at miles 4, 7, and 10. Each station will offer water and Gatorade.

Parking & Transportation:

All participants must park at Heritage High School, where buses will transport runners to the start staging area at Peaceful Side Social on Townsend Square Dr.

Please arrive early—the final bus will depart at 6:45 AM sharp.

Any runner missing the last shuttle will be responsible for their own transportation to the start line.

Runners may be dropped off at the start line; however, all vehicles must yield to buses.

Buses are reserved for runners and volunteers only.

After the race, runners are free to leave at their convenience, exiting from Tuckaleechee Pike will not be permitted with race traffic, please plan on using the E Lamar Alexander Pkwy entrance. Spectators are responsible for their own transportation.

Supporting Local Youth Athletes

Proceeds from the race benefit the Heritage High School Cross Country and Track & Field programs, supporting the next generation of student-athletes as they train and compete locally and regionally.

For Sponsorship information contact Race Director C. John Chavis at [email protected]

Donations are also accepted from the top of this page.

The Tour de Blount was started by three cyclists back in 1991. They loved cycling and knew that the Blount County area was one of the best areas to ride. This was well before the day of organized bike rides, triathlons and road races. The TdB was to be the first bike ride in the area. The Tour de Blount quickly caught on and it became a popular event among cyclists, in part because Blount County and its rural back roads, ever-changing terrain and beautiful scenery is considered one of the best places to ride in the country.

The Foothill Striders Club is now responsible for hosting the TdB each year. The Striders are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting community service and healthy lifestyles through hiking, biking and running. The proceeds from the Tour de Blount go to support two scholarships for area high school students and to promote health and wellness in Blount County.

For 2023 the Tour de Blount will have three routes 25, 50 and 75. For most of its 31 year history the ride’s start/finish location was at Heritage High School. For a four-year period, it was moved to downtown Maryville, but returned to Heritage High School in 2016 and in 2017, in 2018 we moved to the Townsend Visitors Center where we had planned on the ride starting again in 2020, well, we know how that ended. For our return in 2023 we partnered with Mountain Challenge at Maryville College to host our event and will once again be there for our 32nd ride in 2026! The in-town start will provide us with 3 routes to meet the interest levels of all participants. In addition, a post-ride meal will be provided. Riders will be able to rehash the highs and lows of the rides while enjoying a meal and a great outdoor atmosphere. This is sure to be a great time with old and new friends!

Who can you bring with you to explore Blount County?

5K Run and 1.17 Mile Fun Run

5K Start Time 8:00 am

1.17 Mile Fun Run Start Time 9:30 am

Packet Pickup 7:00 to 7:45 am

This race benefits Isaiah 117 House Blount County. Isaiah 117 House Blount County provides physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting placement. Your support allows us to reduce trauma for children awaiting placement in Blount County, lighten the load for child welfare services, and ease the transition for foster families.

5K Awards: 1st Place M/F Overall, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place M/F in Age Groups 1-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 , 70-74, 75+