The inaugural Smoky Mountain relay was patterned after the famous Hood to Coast relay (12-person 2-van team) in the Pacific Northwest. As a team member you will be one of the first to experience the 205 miles of trails, forest service and rural County roads that meander through this beautiful area. Although challenging, this run has been created with a heavy emphasis on fun!

The run starts in North Mills River, North Carolina and ends in Bryson City. The Smoky Mountain Relay course takes runners through some of the most beautiful, pristine and challenging terrain in the Southeast. Along the route runners will see Shining Rock, the Davidson river, spectacular views from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Mountain to Sea trail. At night you will run far from city lights, but very close to the Appalachian and Bartram trails along the upper Nantahala river. Along the course, you will run through many picturesque valleys framed by tree covered mountains and meandering streams. Speaking of streams, prepare for the opportunity to run through, over and in the streams that cross our route. Three of those crossings occur after running up and over Cowee Mountain and through Big Laurel. After a nice stretch along the Tuckasegee river, the race ends in Bryson City with hot showers and a bit of celebration after the exhileration of running, supporting, talking and a few brief moments of sleep with 11 friends who all shared in the beauty and mystique of the Smoky Mountains..

Running Teams (12 runners)

Running teams consist of 12 runners, with each runner completing 3 legs over 205 miles from North Mills River to Bryson City, NC. Run teams should plan on starting between 6:00am and 2:00pm on Friday, May 07, depending on your teams' average 10k run time.

Ultra Running Teams (6 or less runners)

Ultra teams run the full 205 mile running course from North Mills River to Bryson City, NC. Each member of the ultra team must run an equal number of legs (as close as mathematically possible). Start times will be determined once average 10k team times are submitted.