Logistics
Regular running shoes are okay. The course is half park road and half improved trail.
Preview Run and Early Packet Pickup: Sunday before at 5:30 pm.
Packet Pickup-Saturday, May 17 beginning at 6:00 am. Packet Pickup will end promptly at 7:00. No race day registration this year.
Park in the big parking lot. Walk to the pavilion to sign in. Race begins promptly at 7:30am.
Please note: There is a 3 hour cut off.
Run the 5k/Climb the Tower! Or Double Dip! Even better….Triple Dip!
Join us in beautiful Blount County on May 17 for an exciting challenge! Runners that run the 5k/10k/15K and climb the tower will receive a finisher's medal. Your medal will be at the top of the tower waiting for you. A waiver must be signed to climb the tower. **You Do Not have to climb the tower to get an official finish time. The waiver is good for the day signed.
Watch our Facebook page for race updates.
This race benefits OHS Cross Country. Also, $5 from every entry goes to Palisades Park. $1 per entry goes to support “Quilts of Valor” honoring veterans. Each runner will be entered in a drawing to win a quilt.
Things to do after...
Visit our Covered Bridges (Horton Mill, Swann, and Easley)
Visit the Locust Fork River
(Kayak entrance between Cleveland and Blountsville)
Eat at one of our local favorite restaurants: Stephen's Diner, Miller's Diner or Charlie B's
Our race is scheduled to open for registrations January 2025!
Awards
Awards will be given to the first three males and females as they cross the finish line in each division.
Climb the tower to get your finisher's award.
Thanks to our sponsors!
RunBlountCounty
Palisades Park
Oneonta-Blount Chamber of Commerce
Oneonta Fire and Rescue
The Course
The Course
Start at Tower
Stay left on service road
Left on Palisades Parkway
Turn around at Yellow Gate
Stay straight into Park on Palisades Parkway
Turn Right on Old Road Trail at Water Stop (Self Serve)
Stay on Rocky Trail approximately 1 Mile
Stay left to Paved Service Road
Water Stop #2 at Pavilion
Cross Through Pavilion to Dogwood Trail
Take a right onto Rocky Trail (Two-way traffic)
Take first Right onto Bird's Foot Trail
Exit trail on left onto Palisades Parkway
*Follow Palisades Road around to turn up the path by the Meditation Chapel
*Turn Left at Meditation Chapel
Follow Trail to Tower (3.2ish miles)
*During the race, watch for flagging (on trail), signs (trail and road) and volunteers (road) to direct you. Watch for cars as this course is not completely closed.
The 10K is a loop of the 5K.
The 15K is two loops of the 5K.
*You must sign the waiver before the race to climb the tower. The waiver is good for the entire day. We will direct runners to the top to get his/her medal, take a picture and exit quickly as others will be waiting to ascend the tower.
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Course Records
R. Slone 2023 (22:51)
A. Little 2022 (26:03)
10K
S. Gehri 2024 (53:14)
S. Wennberg 2021 (56:46)
15K
N. Wollersheim 2024 (1:05:28)
H. Coons 2022 (1:27:21)
Shirts
Shirts are available with paid registration through May 1, 2025
Race Photographer
2024 Photos-Angie Hogeland, XC Volunteers & Perla Nunez
Event's current local time: 5:35 AM CT
