The Bat

DIRECTIONS

Directions from Greeneville: Take Erwin Hwy to turn right on Interstate 26 in Erwin. Go South and exit on Clear Branch Rd to turn left on Old Asheville Hwy to Gillis Drive and Rocky Fork.
GPS 36.0482, -82.5566

COURSE

Start and finish on Rocky Fork Road at Old Asheville Highway in Rocky Fork. It was named after the elevation profile, which resembles a bat. The truth, however, is that the name is short for “The Bat Out Of Hell.”   Click here to review course path.
Two and a half miles uphill, then downhill along the scenic Rocky Fork Creek.

COURSE HISTORY

The inaugural race was in 2019. It was designed by Lisa Hazlett, originally as a 6 miler, turning south on a logging dirt road to the North Carolina border.
In 2020, the name was changed to The Bat 5 Miles, but the race was canceled due to Covid. The 2021 race had 32 finishers, a new male course record, sunshine, and 55 degrees. 2022 had a new course record by a woman from Boise, Idaho, that will be hard to break.

THE BAT 5 MILES, ROCKY FORK STATE PARK, FLAG POND, TN
Race Director: Lisa Hazlett, State of Franklin Track Club, Kingsport, TN

COURSE RECORDS

Men                                                    Women
2021  Derek Gibson   34:41            2022  Amber Tookey  36:34