Dirty South Trail Races
Knoxville, United States • 6 Dec 2026
Trail Running in Knoxville
The Dirty South Trail Races take place in the Urban Wilderness of South Knoxville, Tennessee. The event offers three distinct distances for participants to choose from:
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Trail 10K
- Kids Trail Mile
The Half Marathon course features a 4-hour time limit and traverses through several local areas, including the Forks of the River Wildlife Area, William Hastie Park, Marie Myers Park, Ross Marble Quarry, and the Ijams Nature Center. Runners encounter a variety of terrain, ranging from rocky, technical single-track paths to smooth mountain bike trails. The 10K course utilizes trails within the main nature center and Meade's Quarry, while the Kids Trail Mile is held on a dedicated route through the woods.
Events start and finish at Meade's Quarry, situated south of the Ijams Nature Center. Organizers emphasize environmental sustainability and encourage carpooling or the use of public transportation, such as the Knoxville Area Transit Line 40, which stops at the quarry. To ensure safety, a minimum pace of 18 minutes per mile is required for the adult races. Participants under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult if they wish to compete in the longer distances. Aid stations are provided, though the event operates with a limited cup policy to reduce waste. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.