Little River Run 5K 2021

Short review

The 3rd Annual Little River Run 5K is set for 11 am on Saturday, November 13th at the Townsend Abbey in Townsend, TN. Join Keep Blount Beautiful and Little River Watershed Association for a run (or walk!) along the Little River in view of the Great Smoky Mountains! This race is a great way for runners and walkers alike to come out and support a clean, green, and beautiful Blount County. 

For decades, both Keep Blount Beautiful and the Little River Watershed Association have been advocating for an environmentally healthy Blount County through a variety of initiatives. The Little River Run 5K represents a joint effort through which both organizations encourage participants to be active and engage with their community, enjoy the beauty of Blount County, and help spread the message of environmental conservation. All proceeds from the run will support the many free events, programs, and educational initiatives offered by Keep Blount Beautiful and the Little River Watershed Association, including litter pickups, stream cleanups, invasive removals, recycling events, and educational programs.

We will be offering both an in-person and virtual option for the race.

Virtual Runners: Virtual runners will not receive a chipped bib and therefore will not be eligible for a race medal. Virtual run times should be self-recorded (via apps such as Strava or Map My Run) and reported to Keep Blount Beautiful, keepblount@gmail.com if you want to know your placement. Virtual runners that do not pick up their race T-shirts at the packet pickup will need to pick up their T-shirts at a later date.

Course Description: The run begins at the Townsend Abbey (7765 River Road, Townsend, Tennessee 37882) and moves along a flat course by the Little River. The course then curves to connect with the Townsend Historical Greenway for a short time before turning down a side road and then ending back at the Townsend Abbey.  

Race info: This will be a chip-timed event. Participants of all ages are welcome. Early bird registration is $25 and ends October 1st. Race tickets will be $30 beginning October 2nd. Children 12 and under can register for a rate of $15.

T-Shirts: You must register by Sunday, October 24th to be guaranteed a race T-shirt. There will only be a limited quantity of shirts available for those who sign up after October 24th.

Awards: Medals will be awarded for the top three overall, and then the 1st and 2nd finishers, both male and female, based on the following age brackets: 0-16, 17-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75+

Packet Pickup: Runners can pick up their packets before race day at Broadway Social Pint Night and Packet Pickup, 102 E Harper Ave, Thursday, November 11th from 5-8 pm. During this time, $1 from each beer purchase will benefit the Little River Run 5K. Registration will also be available on race day. Runners unable to make it to the packet pickup can get their packets on race day. If you register after November 11th, you will need to get your packet on race day. 

Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help with set up/tear down, registration/sign-in, parking, and course direction. If you would like to volunteer, email keepblount@gmail.com or fill out the form at http://www.keepblountbeautiful.org/little-river-run-5k. 

Weather: This race is in early November, but we all know how unpredictable east TN weather can be! Historically, the high in Townsend in November is 59 and the low is 35, so plan for a chill but be ready to get warmed up! Dress sensibly, don't pile on layers; the rule of thumb is to add 10 to 20 degrees to the outside temperature to calculate your running temperature. Race personnel reserve the right to delay, cancel, or suspend the race or modify the course due to inclement weather. As stated on the 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.

After the run, hang out socially distanced style at the Townsend Abbey for lunch, drinks, educational opportunities. Runners and non-runners are welcome for the afterparty.