Little River Rush Half Marathon
- Date Sat 16th May 2026
- Time 7:30AM EDT
- Location Maryville, Tennessee
- Price $75.20
- Races 1 race
- Distances Half Marathon
Event summary
Get ready for the Little River Rush Half Marathon on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the picturesque town of Maryville, Blount, Tennessee! This exhilarating half marathon features a breathtaking point-to-point course that winds through the tranquil back roads of Townsend, showcasing stunning mountain views and a serene atmosphere that sets it apart from busier races. Starting at the Smoky Mountain Heritage Center and finishing at Heritage High School, participants will enjoy over 600 feet of total descent, making this a fast and rewarding race experience. With a start time of 7:30 AM, runners will be bused from the finish area to the start line, ensuring a seamless race day experience.
Each finisher will receive a custom medal, and awards will be given to the top three overall male and female runners, as well as the top three in each age group. Aid stations will be strategically placed throughout the course to keep you hydrated, and portable restrooms will be available at the start and finish areas. By participating in this event, you'll also be supporting local youth athletes, as proceeds benefit Heritage High School's Cross Country and Track & Field programs. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to challenge yourself in one of East Tennessee’s most scenic races
Each finisher will receive a custom medal, and awards will be given to the top three overall male and female runners, as well as the top three in each age group. Aid stations will be strategically placed throughout the course to keep you hydrated, and portable restrooms will be available at the start and finish areas. By participating in this event, you'll also be supporting local youth athletes, as proceeds benefit Heritage High School's Cross Country and Track & Field programs. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to challenge yourself in one of East Tennessee’s most scenic races
Organiser's Description
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, 2029, 3039, 4049, 5059, 6069, 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 earlythe 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 cjohnchavis@gmail.com
Donations are also accepted from the top of this page.
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, 2029, 3039, 4049, 5059, 6069, 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 earlythe 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 cjohnchavis@gmail.com
Donations are also accepted from the top of this page.
Races
-
Little River Rush 1/2 Marathon
Incl. $5.20 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:30AM EDT)
$75.20
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3741 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, 37804, TN, United States
Little River Rush Half Marathon
