Big South Fork Trail Race

Trail Running in the Big South Fork

The Big South Fork Trail Race takes place in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Both featured events start and finish at the Bandy Creek Campground in Oneida, Tennessee. Participants can choose between two distinct distances:

• 17.5 Mile
• 10K

The 17.5 Mile event follows an out-and-back loop course starting at the John Litton General Slavens Trailhead. The terrain consists of 1.5 miles of paved and gravel surfaces, while the remaining distance is held on single-track trails. Runners in this category have access to aid stations located approximately at miles 3.5, 5, 12, and 14. The 10K event is a loop course primarily utilizing single-track trails. A minimum pace of 18 minutes per mile is required for all participants, and a sweeper follows the field to ensure safety.

Participants receive specific items based on their chosen distance. Those in the 17.5 Mile race receive a limited edition long-sleeve sweatshirt, while 10K runners receive a long-sleeve cotton T-shirt. Following the completion of the races, a family picnic is held in the staging area for all runners.

Awards are presented to the top three overall finishers, as well as leaders in Masters, Grandmasters, and Veterans categories for both men and women. The event also recognizes top finishers in the Clydesdale and Athena divisions. To ensure participant safety, the race prohibits the use of headsets, earphones, bicycles, strollers, and pets on the course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.