Secret City Half Marathon and 5K

COVID-19 Updates

We WILL be providing an in person run for 2020, but also are providing a virtual run option for those who are not comfortable to run in person.

For 2020 only, we will be limiting registration to 250 5k runners and 500 half marathon runners. The half marathon will begin at 9:00 am and the 5k will be pushed back to 9:30 for social distancing plans.

All staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks and gloves and will answer a health questionnaire upon arriving to their shift. There will also be a variety of sanitation stations at all half marathon related activities, and common areas will be frequently cleaned.

Start/finish area: Participants will be required to receive a temperature check and answer a brief health questionnaire before entering the corral area. People with a temperature with 100.4 or above, or failing the questionnaire will not be allowed to participate. In a continued effort to remain efficient and safe, the start line will be an individual time-trial format. This means participants will begin the race one at a time, with a few seconds between each start. There will be a start line queue, similar to if you were in line at an amusement park. The decision to move from a corral start came to allow better social distancing measures and allow a faster, more efficient start. Runners starting every few seconds allows everyone to cross the start line within several minutes, whereas corrals would take a longer start. Here is a quick video of what it will look like on race day. Rest assured, we will be providing greater detail in our final participant email of how the start line will be set up so there is no confusion. Our wonderful volunteers will guide you on race day to ensure you are in the right place. Participants may line up, 6 feet apart, at 8:30 am on race day after receiving a temperature check. All other safety measures, including mask usage in the start/finish area and other congested places on site are still in place. You may remove your mask once crossing the start line. 

A few things to consider: 

1. If you are traveling or riding with friends or family, you may want to coordinate your start times.
2. The course will close at 1pm. While the time trial start will be more efficient than corral starts, you will want to consider your start time if you need more time to make the cut off.

Please do not show up on race day if you have a fever, display symptoms of COVID-19, or have possibly been exposed.

All finish line activities will be self served. Volunteers will be onsite to replenish items as needed. Food will be pre-packaged and we will provide water bottles. Medals will remain in their packaging. We ask that you grab your materials and quickly leave the finishing area. Vendors will be required to comply with all guidelines.

Age group awards will not be handed out on race day. If you are an age group award winner, we will contact you after the race. Local winners must pick up their award. Out of town winners will receive their award by mail. More details on pick up and mailing to come. Age groups have slightly changed for 2020 only, due to a variety of factors. 

Hydration Stations: We know a vast majority of participants can carry their own water, but not everyone will have access to do so. We will have 6 hydration stations as usual with water and gatorade and 2 stations with honey stinger gels. Again, everything will be self serve and volunteers will be onsite to replenish as needed. 

Spectators: Spectators are allowed on the race course and venue but will be required to wear a mask in congested areas. Spectators will not be allowed in the start/finish area. 

Packet Pick Up: PPU dates will still occur as normal: Tuesday, November 17th 4-7pm, Thursday, November 19th 4-7pm, and race morning 7:30-8:45am. Tuesday packet pick up will be at Home2 Suites, 380 N Peters Rd. Knoxville, 37922. Thursday pick up will be at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike. 

For virtual Runners: A reminder you have from November 14-28 to complete the virtual run. You will receive all your race swag AFTER November 28th. 

Oak Ridge, a bustling city created virtually overnight in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, was shrouded in secrecy for most of the 20th century; only appearing on maps in the mid-1960's.  Today, Oak Ridge is on the map as a thriving city rich in cultural and recreational opportunities not to mention the cutting edge science and technology research for which the city is internationally known! 

COME TO OAK RIDGE AND EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF.....A ONE OF A KIND TENNESSEE HALF MARATHON AND FUN 5K RACE EVENT!

FMC is a primary care medical clinic providing services – at no cost to the patient – to financially eligible individuals of Anderson, Roane, and Morgan counties who otherwise have no access to health care. We offer primary care, preventive care, referrals for specialty care, health education and nutritional management programs.

Interactive Race Day Experience with RaceJoy

Live Phone Tracking, GPS Progress Alerts and Cheers!

We are providing you with RaceJoy as part of the official race experience for the Secret City Half Marathon and 5K.

Download the RaceJoy mobile app in advance to ensure proper phone setup. Invite your friends and family to track you and send you cheers!

Some key RaceJoy features include:

GPS Progress Alerts

• Receive continual progress updates as you complete your goal.

Live GPS Tracking

• Remote spectators can track your progress live in a map view. You can also track others.

Send-a-Cheer

• Receive supportive audio cheers from remote friends & family.

Virtual Results (virtual events only)

• Enter your race-assigned bib number to automatically submit your finish data for real-time scored results.

Have you been considering running a fall 5k or half marathon, but don't know where to start? 

The Knoxville Track Club would love to help you! Whether you're new to running, targeting a personal record race performance, or just looking to log miles with friends, we have a space for you in our upcoming Fall RunKNOX Training Program.

What do you get?
The "RunDOWN", our weekly email newsletter which outlines your training recommendations and provides educational insight into how to properly work to achieve your goals.

Access to all RunKNOX Workouts:

• Core Strength training: Monday 6:15pm (Knoxville)
• Speed workouts: Tuesday 6pm (Knoxville), Wednesday 5am (Knoxville),
• Wednesday 5:30 pm (Oak Ridge)
• Yoga: Thursday 6:15pm (Knoxville)
• Long Runs: Saturday mornings (times/locations vary depending on season, weather, and local race schedule)

Cost?
Only $10/week!

When does it start?
Fall session kicks off the week August 23rd in Oak Ridge!

Extra Benefits!
Sign up for the race by August 23rd and receive 10% off the training program! Email halfmarathon@oakridgevisitor.com for the code.

Questions?
Email them to runknox@gmail.com

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oak Ridge has created a direct booking link for guests of your group. Please feel free to share this with any and all of your guests who may need overnight accommodations for your event. They simply need to hold CTRL then CLICK on one of the following links to our website. Once on the site simply scroll down and Click “SELECT ROOM” to receive their Special Rate and enter the required information to complete their reservation:

Secret City Half Marathon

OR

https://www.hiexpress.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=EX&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=OKRIT&_PMID=99801505&GPC=SCM&cn=no&viewfullsite=true

As another option, guests may call the hotel direct at (865) 298-1990 and request a room under the group name “Secret City Half Marathon.” A valid credit card will be required to guarantee the reservation and the cut-off date for reservations to be made is Friday November 6, 2020.

The 2019 race pictures are up! Check out our Facebook page to see the photos!