Distance
Start Time
Terrain
Cades Cove Loop Lope takes place on the Cades Cove Loop Road in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with a 10 mile loop and a 5K on a paved road through the open cove valley. The day starts early, with the 10 mile field setting off at 7:30 AM and the 5K following five minutes later. Entries are capped at 800 places and the race fills quickly, so runners are encouraged to secure a spot early. Proceeds support Friends of the Smokies and vital park projects such as wildlife preservation and grassland restoration, and finishers collect a medallion. Drivers heading to the race need a parking pass or should plan to carpool, and a virtual race option is available for anyone who cannot attend in person.
The only footrace held inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Scenic Cades Cove valley on the Cades Cove Loop Road
Every step supports Friends of the Smokies park projects
Mountain ridge views throughout the loop
Start / Finish
Cades Cove Loop Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blount County, Tennessee
Cades Cove Loop Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blount County, Tennessee
Terrain
Route
Race Day
What you get
Finisher medal
Finisher's medallion
Contribution towards Friends of the Smokies park projects such as wildlife preservation and grassland restoration
On the day
Other questions
Yes. A virtual race option lets you run your distance wherever you are, and virtual entrants still receive a finisher's medallion.
Finishers receive a medallion. The listing also offers a virtual race option so that entrants who cannot attend in person can still earn one.
Entries support Friends of the Smokies, with funds directed towards vital park projects including wildlife preservation and grassland restoration inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Both distances are run on the Cades Cove Loop Road, a paved park road that winds through the open cove valley with the Smoky Mountain ridges around you. It is not a technical course.
Yes. The listing shows editions on Sunday 10 November 2024, Sunday 9 November 2025 and Sunday 8 November 2026, all on the Cades Cove Loop Road.
Entry fee
Registration isn't open yet. We'll show pricing when the organiser confirms.Townsend, USA
Expected November 2027
Provisional date, around Nov 14More races like this one
Not open yet
