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 cjohnchavis@gmail.com 

Donations are also accepted from the top of this page.