Smoky Bear Turkey Chase 5K 2026

The Smoky Bear Turkey Chase 5K is a Thanksgiving Day run and walk in Sevierville, Tennessee. It is a relaxed local 5K, not a high-pressure race, and participants can cover the distance at their own pace. Proceeds support the SCHS STEM Scholarship, directing funds toward science, technology, engineering, and math students. The event attracts local families, holiday visitors, runners, and walkers who want to move before Thanksgiving dinner. The course is mostly flat, with shelter and bathrooms conveniently located. Most people can finish the outing within about an hour and a half. Age-division awards are given three deep, with good odds mentioned for runners over 40 and over 50. Student encouragers add jokes along the route, and the field may include Sevierville figures such as Coach B, Kristi Atchley, local dignitaries, and the occasional strong racer like Spartan racer Jamie McCart.