Fall Creek Thaw
DIRECTIONS
From I-40, take Hwy 111 south, continuing through Spencer. Turn left (east) on Hwy 284 and follow the signs to the Visitor Center.
COURSE
The 5.5 mile course starts and finishes at the Visitor Center. Click here to review course path. Proceed north through the parking lot access roads and turn left on Lakeside Rd. Cross the dam and then at approximately 1.5 miles, turn right on the Scenic Loop Rd. At approximately 2.4 miles, turn left to Piney Creek Overlook. Circle the loop and return to the Scenic Loop junction. At the junction, cross the road and continue on the Walking/Biking Trail to the Lakeside Rd. Turn left and cross the dam, returning to the Visitor Center.
GPS coordinates 35.655175 and -85.355958.
COURSE HISTORY
One of the original four races of the Running Tour. It was also one of the most popular events in the 1980s, with 400 runners for several years. The course was designed by Bill Chief and Jon Eiche and organized by Chattanooga Track Club. From 1986 the race was directed by Monte Lowe of Eagle Kountry Running Club, Cookeville, and after 1996 by Tony Cox, Mt Juliet. In 2006 the race management was taken over by MachTenn RC, Tullahoma. Recent race directors were Bob Alt, Mike Niederhauser, and Roger Gall. In 2015 the bike path was iced over, and an all-road course was used measuring 9.6 miles. In 2018 – 2022 alternate courses were used while the new Inn was being built. In 2024 Denny Elston became the race director.
COURSE RECORDS
Men 1984 Chuck Crabbe 46:43
Women 1995 Bonnie McReynolds 55:54