Pistol Ultra Run/Pistol Creek Marathon 2022

Short review

WELCOME TO THE PISTOL PARTY!

NOTE: Due to current road and Greenway Trail construction/relocation and other factors, there will be some significant event changes for 2022. The start/finish will likely be hosted at a different location than the Alcoa High School. Also expect changes to the course and aid stations as described below and on the website. The construction is expected to be completed by late 2021. We will update this page, the website and associated maps, and other event info to reflect the changes after that.

Event Description
An urban ultra to start spring off with a bang! This event near Knoxville, TN (USA), has quickly become very popular, always filling before registration closes. With distances from 13.1 to 150 miles, there's something for everyone!

Runners score some great swag, can enjoy an optional pre-race pasta dinner, and are pampered by some really nice volunteers, lots of heated aid station support, camaraderie with plenty of other crazy ultra runners, and some really cool finisher's awards. This is a great race for first time and seasoned ultra runners alike. Walkers are welcome too. We’re here to have a good time!

This event is produced by Life Wide Open, a Tennessee 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and directed by Will Jorgensen. It helps raise funds for several noteworthy local non-profits, including the Foothills Striders, who support local youth scholarships. It also helps support the Knoxville Track Club Youth Athletics Program. By registering, you are helping to make a positive difference for these worthy children and young adults.

All of the races start at the beautiful Alcoa High School (1205 Lodge Street, Alcoa, TN). The certified courses are mostly flat (for East Tennessee!), paved, generally eight foot wide greenway that is lit at night time. For those who prefer a softer surface, there is grass alongside some of the trail. It meanders along the Pistol Creek (hence the name for the event), through Alcoa, by several small bodies of water, and over to Maryville's Bicentennial Greenbelt Park. It is a linear route just over 5 miles long with a lollipop at the southern end of the out-and-back and a short side spur on the return trip back to the Start/Finish.

The 50K/100K loops will be the same distance (10.35 miles). The 50kers will do this loop three times; the 100kers, six times. The 50/100 mile loops will be slightly shorter (10 miles exactly), with the 10 milers doing it once, the 50 milers five times, and the hundo runners ten times. The event features a very generous 32 hour cut-off for the 50K, 100K, and hundo. The nighttime 50 mile race starts at 8 PM Saturday with a 20 hour cut-off. The half and full marathon start at 8 AM Sunday (March 20). All races end at 4 PM Sunday. For all the details, visit http://pistolultra.com.

Check This Double Barrel Award Out!
The uber cool double barrel pistol on a stand, with a customized name plate, will be awarded to those who complete either the 50K or 100K starting Saturday morning, AND the 50 miler Saturday night! To join the "double-your-fun" party, simply select the 50K/50M Double button when registering. Or if you're ultra-crazy, select the 100K/50M Double button. And if that's not enough, go REALLY big and choose the 100M/50M Double. Better get your big boy/girl panties ready though! :-) Here is the website link to view all of the awards: http://www.lifewideopen.org/the-pistol-ultra-run/runners-manuals/awards

Marathon Maniac Special!!
Check out this special pricing for our Marathon Maniac friends! Want to level up? You can run the 50K on Saturday, and then the marathon on Sunday. So...two marathons+ in 2 days! Simply choose this combined option during your registration process and you'll score the marathon for only half price! NOTE: This is a Marathon Maniac combo special pricing. It is NOT one of the Pistol Ultra Double Barrel options.

Important!
PLEASE NOTE: Both the Pistol Creek half and full marathon are on SUNDAY, March 20.

Refund Policy
If you want to potentially be reimbursed if you are not able to participate, we recommend you consider purchasing event registration insurance to cover yourself. We do NOT provide this service for you. As much as we'd like to, WE DO NOT PROVIDE REFUNDS, DEFERMENTS, PARTIAL ROLLOVER CREDITS IF YOU WITHDRAW, TRANSFERS OF ENTRY FEES, ETC., REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SELLING/GIVING YOUR BIB TO SOMEONE ELSE IS NOT PERMITTED. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.

If your circumstances change and you are unable to join the Pistol party, please cancel your registration via the same platform you registered as soon as you know. You’ll score good karma, possibly allow a waitlister to snag a spot, and definitely help us with the onerous task of registration management. If you are unable to run, but are still available, please consider volunteering. The runners would really appreciate your help and support as they get their run on! It takes a whole village to produce an event this size. Plus you’ll snag some credits towards a future Life Wide Open event. Simply sign up here: http://www.lifewideopen.org/the-pistol-ultra-run/about/volunteers

Please read the event website Registration details and policies carefully before registering: http://pistolultra.com/registration. They include legally binding terms and are incorporated herein by reference. Don't register unless you understand and accept them.

More Information
The Foothills Striders will be hosting the Main Aid Station/warming area at the start/finish. The Knoxville Track Club and Perennial Ponds are teaming up again to have the Lucky Leprechuan water stop at the halfway point. Then the "Near World Famous" Woody Aid Station (it will be heated too) will be at the end of the 4.5 mile southern section. The Back of the Pack Elite will be hosting a water stop by the imperial turn around. This means you'll pass an aid station every 2.5 miles or less. Talk about spoiled!

Plan to arrive Friday afternoon for check-in, swag bag pick-up, the mini-expo, score some official Pistol gear at the Pistol Corral store, get motivated at the pre-race meeting with our keynote speaker (TBD), and enjoy other pre-race contests and activities. It will be held inside the large heated school commons/auditorium area.There is space in front of the school where you can set up your own personal support area. There are REAL indoor heated restrooms at a couple of locations along the course. Talk about being spoiled! Can't get any better for a spring race!

There will be some awesome finisher's awards specific to each distance, including the highly coveted pistol buckle (complete with spinning chamber) for the hundo finishers. Check out our website for all the details. Hop over to Facebook for all the chatter. Get signed up before it fills up. (Shirt sizes guaranteed to those registering by Feb. 1st.) Then get your stuff together to come join us!

We look forward to seeing you at the Pistol party!