Townsend 15K and 7K

Date, Time, & Place: Sunday, September 13, 2026 8:00am in Townsend, TN.  Townsend is located about 35 miles SE of Knoxville.  From Knoxville, take Alcoa Hwy (129S) through Alcoa and Maryville.  From Maryville, take Hwy 321S to Townsend. Race headquarters is Peaceful Side Social, 7967 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882.

Course Description and Highlights: 15K: A lovely, scenic, and challenging course that runs on back-country roads near the Little River. Race will start and finish at Peaceful Side Social. Course closes after 2.5 hours. Route and elevation can be found here: 15k Route
7K: This course will follow the 15k course through the back-country roads of Townsend, but will be a loop course without the any of the out and back of the 15k course. Route and elevation can be found here: 7k Route

Waterstop: We will have a water stop that you will pass twice. (7k will only pass once)  Gatorade and Gu will be on the course as well.

Registration & Entry Fee (NO REFUNDS AND NO TRANSFERS): 
15K: Early Registration 3/12-5/24 $35, 5/25-8/26  $55; Late registration 8/27-9/14 $60, race day $60
7K: Early Registration 3/12-5/24, $25, 5/25-8/26  $45; Late Registration 8/27-9/14 $50, race day $50
Race Day Registration-no coupons or codes. No Shirt Option - deduct $10 anytime. No refunds and no transfers - No exceptions. 

Packet Pickup: Race day packet pickup will take place, starting at 6:30am at Peaceful Side Social, 7967 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882.  

T-shirts: This year we are featuring a gender specific Long-Sleeve BOUND Running race shirt! Please note KTC shirt policy: Anyone registering after June 3rd will receive shirts while supplies last. When the inventory runs out in the RunSignUp system then there will be no more shirts. One shirt per participant. No re-orders.

Awards: Awards to the top 3 Overall male/female/open, top Masters (As defined by fastest person age 40 and above, not limited to 40-49) Grandmasters (As defined by fastest person age 50 and above, not limited to 50-59), Senior Grandmasters (As defined by fastest person age 60 and above, not limited to 60-69) male and female. Awards to the top 3 in each age group as well as Top 3 Clydesdale (men over 200 lbs.) and Top 3 Athena (women over 150 lbs.). Age group awards based on 10 year increments.  

Grand Prix Points:  The Townsend 15k/7k is on the 2025 Competition schedule. 2025 Grand Prix Points awarded winners in various categories and age groups. Points accumulate throughout the year. KTC recognizes the top 10 men and women in the Grand Prix series at the New Year’s Day 5K on January 1, 2026. Remember, to be eligible for Grand Prix Points, participants must be a member of KTC and must volunteer for at least 3 KTC races throughout the year. 

Refreshments: Post race food will be provided. Also, drinks and breakfast items will be available for purchase at the Abbey.

Results: Complete results will be available on RunSignup and the KTC Website at www.ktc.org.

Race Etiquette: Due to insurance regulations, roller blades, strollers, bicycles, and dogs are not allowed on the course.

Information: Contact the KTC Events Manager at [email protected].

15k Course Closes at 10:30am
7k course closes 9:30am

KTC Safety Policy: The Knoxville Track Club Board of Directors has approved an Event Safety Policy, viewable here: Weather Policy. Please familiarize yourself with it.