The Dirt Circuit - Morristown, TN
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The Dirt Circuit
The Dirt Circuit is an ultra-marathon festival held at Panther Creek State Park in Morristown, Tennessee. The event takes place on a 2.9-mile loop course that winds around a finger of Cherokee Lake. The terrain consists of rolling hills and a mix of wide paths and single-track trails through woods and open fields. Two wooden bridge crossings are featured along the route, which begins and ends at the park's soccer fields.
Participants can choose from several timed formats:
- 24-hour (individual or 6-person relay)
- 12-hour (individual or 6-person relay)
- 6-hour (individual or Ruck division)
- 3-hour (individual)
The event serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Cherokee Ultra for those who reach a distance of 50 km or greater. The course is marked with flags and tape, and participants are required to wear headlamps during night hours. This is a cup-free race, meaning runners must carry their own hydration systems. An aid station at the base camp provides water, electrolyte drinks, fruit, and snacks, with hot food like pizza and burgers served at various intervals.
Primitive camping at the soccer fields is included with registration for Friday and Saturday nights. The 6-hour Ruck division requires participants to carry weighted rucksacks: 30 lbs for men and 20 lbs for women. Relay teams may determine their own strategy for runner rotations, provided only one team member is on the course at a time. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.