#2 – CLUB & TRIFECTA
At each of our races we do an official race hike. We challenge our runners to complete the hike within 72 hours of finishing the race. Those that do it (sending a picture of themselves at the summit with their race bib and finisher medal) get 50% OFF next year’s race entry. We solicited everyone’s input and after careful consideration we have decided to make Chimney Tops our official race hike.
Chimney Tops Trail offers stunning views of The Smokies. It is about 4 miles roundtrip and a total elevation gain of 1,350 feet. This hike is perfect for our club hike, it is challenging but totally doable. Especially after running a half marathon.
We got a lot of recommendations for Mount Leconte, and we will likely add it as another club hike in the future. But for this year we are going with Chimney Tops Trail.
A new addition to our race challenge is the Trifecta. The trifecta challenge is a more family friendly challenge, a sort of activity scavenger hunt. Runners that do all three activities in the trifecta challenge will receive 20% OFF next year’s race entry. The rules are the same, you need to send us pictures of you with your bib and finisher medal at all three. The Great Smoky Mountains Trifecta consists of:
1) Cades Cove – drive the Cades Cove loop. Get out and see as much or as little as you want, the Cades Cove loop is a beautiful scenic drive that offers a historical look at the area. It’s a no-brainer. If you come to The Smokies, you’ve gotta drive the Cades Cove loop. Some people walk it! Others bike it. However you choose to experience it, be sure and send us a picture from your favorite spot (we recommend Sparks Lane or one of the historical cabins).
2) Laurel Falls – hike to Laurel Falls. Laurel Falls is about a 2.5 mile roundtrip hike. This one will take a couple hours but this is by far one of the best waterfalls to go see.
3) Clingmans Dome – drive up to Clingmans Dome and hike the .5 mile spiral ascent to the observation lookout. Check out Newfound Gap while you’re there.
Send us any questions you have. We love our National Parks and want to encourage our runners to experience them as much as they can with they time they have visiting the area.