Run Santa Run Smokies

Run Santa Run Smokies takes place in Townsend, Tennessee, in Blount County, at the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains, on December 6, 2026. Three distances are offered on a Christmas-themed course: a 5K, a 10K and a half marathon of 13.1 miles. The event is aimed at beginners and experienced runners alike, in a natural setting defined by the immediate presence of the mountains, and Townsend's position as a gateway to the national park gives it a mix of sport and holiday celebration.

Running in the shadow of the Smokies in December usually means cold, crisp air and terrain that is anything but flat, so hill work belongs in your preparation whichever distance you choose. For the half, plan a 12- to 16-week build with a long run that climbs toward 12 miles and at least one weekly session on rolling ground. For the 5K or 10K, six to eight weeks of consistent running with one harder effort a week will serve.