Natchez Trace Trail Run
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Natchez Trace Trail Run : Franklin, Tennessee
The Natchez Trace Trail Run takes place on November 7, 2026, from the Garrison Creek trailhead on the Highland Rim section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. The event offers multiple distances on mostly singletrack that follows ridgelines above the old road bed, with creek crossings, several road crossings, and long remote stretches.
The 50 mile course is an out-and-back covering about 6,300 ft of climb. Much of the trail is leafy or rocky and in places wider than a modern footpath because it follows an older corridor. Early miles are often runnable; the effort accumulates in the later sections. Peak fall color commonly coincides with race weekend.
Logistics and format notes: the field is capped at 180 runners. The race is cupless; entrants must carry their own hydration. There are five aid stations with the longest gap about 7.2 miles. The 50 mile uses a turnaround cutoff at mile 23 and a final cutoff before the last loop at mile 47.8. Marathon, half and ruck divisions are one-way with bus transport to their start points.
Race rules emphasize minimal impact and safety: no pacers, no outside aid between aid stations, crews may meet runners only at aid stations, and roadside parking on the Parkway is not permitted. A headlamp is recommended for the 50 mile distance because part of the effort occurs in darkness. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
