Trail of Tears

 

DIRECTIONS

From Chattanooga or Knoxville follow I-75. Take exit #9 off of I-75 and head South on to Hwy 317 (also known as Apison Pike). Stay on Hwy 317 approx. 12 miles (it will change names a couple of times Westleyan Rd SW and SW Weatherly, switch and turn several times). Just Stay on Hwy 317 and follow the brown signs and turn right on to  SW Red Clay Park Road approx 2 miles to the park. Entrance on the right
GPS 34.9942 -84.9454

COURSE

New distance 10K previously 7 miles. Start and adjacent to the Parks Picnic Shelter. Exit Park right and head South to Cohutta, GA. Crossing state line into Georgia, crossing railroad tracks and evidentially entering Cohutta. Turn left to turn-a-round loop at the elementary school retracing route to the finish at the Park entrance.  Click here to review course path.   Click here to review schematic course of Cohutta, GA.    The course is flat and fast.

COURSE HISTORY

The race was started in 1989 by Jim Ruth and Arnold Truelove. The first Running Tour race was held in 1991. Course design by Jim Ruth, who was the race director until 1996, when Arnold Truelove took over. He stayed on for 10 years when Jasen Parks became director. In 2009 the race was held without a race director. The first 10 runners failed to make the second turn and ran 7.3 miles. Judy White was the race director from 2010-2011. In 2012 race director was Matt Davies of Cleveland, TN. In 2013 James Zahn became the race director. He lengthened the course to 7.0 Miles by starting at the picnic shelter. Since 2017 Dan Smithhisler has been the race director. In order to provide a faster and safer course, Dan redesigned the course in the off season of 2024. The course includes the city of Cohutta, Georgia in an effort to build some community, starting  in 2025. Roger Gall assumed race director in 2024.

 

 

COURSE RECORDS

Men    2015    Tanner Cook    37:27
Women    2013    Kirsten Sass    44:19

 

POST RACE

Awards and post race snacks will remain at the Parks Theater Room and Gift Shop Area. Due to the Parks rather remote location and the city of Cohutta coming on board to help with course logistics, it is encourged that runners return to Cohutta after the race and support eatries, The Red Wolfe Grill and The General Store. (Discounts will be available on race day)