Half Marathon races near Strawberry Plains

Whiskey Run Knoxville begins and ends at El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant on North Forest Park Boulevard in Knoxville, Tennessee. This event is the Knoxville location for the Whiskey Run, a running series held in multiple cities based on a straightforward concept: run, then taste whiskey at the finish. The series also includes events in Atlanta, Augusta, Huntsville, London, Miami, Nashville, Rome, St. Louis, and Toronto, placing Knoxville within a schedule that spans the U.S. South, Midwest, Florida, and Ontario. What distinguishes this from a typical community road race is the post-race arrangement: select whiskey tastings and a gathering area are available after the run.

The Secret City Half Marathon and 5K begin and end at Melton Lake Peninsula in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Both races take place in November, featuring a 13.1-mile half marathon and a 3.1-mile 5K on the same morning. Over 1,200 runners and walkers are anticipated, with the event welcoming families alongside those competing in the longer race. The half marathon route extends along Melton Lake Drive, incorporating city streets and greenways within Oak Ridge. It passes an active quarry, proceeds down a tree-lined private road, and concludes back at the peninsula by the water. The 5K route remains nearer to Melton Lake, heading north towards Elza Gate Park before returning via the walking trail. Volunteers mark the course before sunrise, police assist with road crossings, and roads will remain open, though drivers might encounter brief delays at intersections with Melton Lake Drive and Emory Valley Road.

The Dirty South Trail Races start and finish at Mead's Quarry, south of Ijams Nature Center on Island Home Avenue in Knoxville. The adult races include a trail half marathon and a trail 10K, both starting at 9:00 a.m.; the Kids Trail Mile begins at 8:30 a.m. This is South Knoxville trail running, not road racing: the long course combines rocky, technical singletrack with smoother, flowing mountain-bike trail. The half marathon has a four-hour limit, requiring runners to maintain a pace faster than 18:00 per mile. The 13.1-mile course crosses Forks of the River Wildlife Area, William Hastie Park, Marie Myers Park, Ross Marble Quarry, and Ijams Nature Center. The 10K utilizes the main nature center trails and those around Mead's Quarry, while kids have their own mile. The race emphasizes practicality and local involvement: KTC members receive a registration discount, runners are advised to carry their own water as aid stations will have minimal cups, and participants are encouraged to carpool or use Knoxville Area Transit Line 40. Series awards are for KTC members who also volunteer during the season, with top three in each division earning free race entries and winners announced at the KTC Holiday Party in December. Headphones, bikes, strollers, roller blades, and pets are prohibited on the course, and runners under 12 require an adult for the adult races.

The Rock’in Santa Half Marathon and Sunshine Santa 5K are road races held in Knoxville, Tennessee, beginning at 9:00 AM and featuring a December holiday theme. This event typically attracts between 100 and 500 participants, offering both a half marathon and a 5K distance. The courses are fast, flat loops with a park-run atmosphere within Victor Ashe Park. Christmas rock-and-roll music is featured along the routes. Participants in the half marathon receive custom Rock’in Santa long-sleeve performance hoodies, while 5K runners get Sunshine Santa long-sleeve shirts. All proceeds benefit Sunshine Ambassadors, a program that uses dance to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities.

The Little River Rush Half Marathon is a point-to-point half marathon in East Tennessee. It starts at the Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend and finishes at Heritage High School. Participants park at the high school and take a bus to the start line, running in one direction. The course descends over 600 feet, with a net downhill of more than 200 feet, earning its reputation as one of East Tennessee's fastest half marathons. The route traces the Little River from Townsend along quiet back roads, offering mountain views and minimal traffic. It suits runners who prefer a consistent downhill gradient, though the setting remains rural and open for a significant portion. Finishers are awarded a custom medal, and race entries benefit the cross country and track and field programs at Heritage High School.