Secret City Half Marathon and 5K

Secret City Half Marathon and 5K takes place in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on November 14, 2026. The half marathon (13.1 miles) starts at 9:00 AM and the 5K (3.1 miles) follows at 9:15 AM. Both courses start from the Melton Lake peninsula. The half crosses Melton Lake, passes a quarry, follows tree-lined roads through Oak Ridge, and returns to the peninsula. The 5K starts and finishes at the same spot, running along the lake to Elza Gate Park before turning back.

Both courses are USATF certified, so a time run here counts for official purposes and the distances are exact. That makes the half a sound choice for a fall PR attempt or a first 13.1 in a scenic lakeside setting, and the 5K a legitimate benchmark rather than a fun-run estimate. Plan on a 12-week build with a weekly long run for the half. The 9:00 AM start is later than many road races, so you have time for a proper breakfast, and the lakeside sections should give you plenty to look at while you settle into pace.