Mountain Laurel Festival 5K Trail Run and 10K Road/Trail Run

Here's your chance to run a beautiful, challenging 5 KM Trail run and 10KM Road/Trail run in Wartburg TN, within a stone's throw of Frozen Head State Park, home of the infamous Barkley Marathons. WALKERS WELCOME! No one left behind. 

Run a terrific course, hang around town for fun and food at the Mountain Laurel Festival, and maybe make the short drive over to visit Frozen Head State Park, or historic Brushy Mountain Prison!

All proceeds go to the Morgan Co Tourism Alliance to be used to promote tourism and activities in Morgan Co. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Rocky Top Veterans Foundation.

T-Shirts: Runners should register before May 1st to be guaranteed a T-shirt. T-shirts may only be available to those who attend the race in-person unless picked up at the packet pickup. 

Course Description

5K - The 5K will begin at the Morgan County Visitors Center and immediately begin its traverse into the newly added portion of the Cumberland Trail. This course challenges the runner with steep, wooded terrain and changing elevations. The course will be well marked, leading the runner to the finish line, at the Morgan County Visitor Center. 

10k - The 10K will begin at the Morgan County Visitors Center and lead the runner through the well-marked, scenic countryside and rolling hills of Morgan County roadway before making its way back to the Visitor's Center where the runner will immediately begin their traverse into the newly added portion of the Cumberland Trail. This course challenges the runner with steep, wooded terrain and changing elevations. The course will be well marked, leading the runner to the finish line, at the Morgan County Visitor Center. 

Awards and giveaways will begin at 10 am following the start of the Mountain Laurel Festival at the courthouse square in downtown Wartburg.

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help with setting up/tear down, registration/sign-in, parking, and course direction. Volunteers can sign up by clicking the Volunteer tab on the race website.

Packet Pickup

May 15th 5-8pm in Knoxville at TBA

May 16th 2-5pm at Morgan County Visitor's Center in Wartburg

May 17th 7 - 7:45am Day of Race late registration

Post run

Please bring a water bottle to reduce waste. Water will be available. After the run, hang out at the Mountain Laurel Festival for lunch, drinks, and prize giveaways. Runners and non-runners are welcome. Each runner will receive a free ticket and giveaways will be announced directly after the award ceremony.

Weather

This race is in mid-May, but we all know how unpredictable East TN weather can be! Dress sensibly. 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.

Race Day Events

7 - 7:45am Day of Race late registration, and packet pick up.

8:00 am - Start of the 10 KM Race

8:30 am - Start the 5 KM Race

10:00 am - Awards and giveaways at Wartburg Courthouse. MUST BE PRESENT FOR GIVEAWAYS!

Awards

Awards will be announced for the top 5 overall for the 5k and the top 5 overall for the 10k. Results will be posted to this site immediately after the race.

Parking

Parking will be available at Central High School with a short walk to Morgan County Visitor Center.