Races Near Me: Upcoming Running Races

Join us for the 19th annual Haunted Half Marathon, Relay & 5K October 24th! Runners will enjoy seeing the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Tennessee, this Halloween-themed race takes runners on a loop course through the small city of Cookeville, where runners and walkers will start the race on the campus of Tennessee Tech University. From the starting line near the intersection of North Dixie Avenue and B Street on the Tennessee Tech campus, runners head south on what is basically a clockwise loop through the city’s downtown and out into some of the more rural areas just outside town. Runners make their way through mostly city streets and retail shops in the first couple of miles and then head into more residential neighborhoods in the later miles. As mentioned above, the Haunted Half Marathon, Relay & 5K is open to both runners and walkers, provided they can reach the finish line within 3 hours — which means for half-marathon and relay teams they’ll need to maintain a pace of 13.8 minutes per mile or better. The race route will be closed after 3 hours, which means no police or ambulance services will be present on the road route. The finish line will stay open till 10:30 am. This requires a 13.8 minute-per-mile page or faster. Runners who don’t want to cover all 13.1 miles of the race themselves should know the race also features a three-person relay event. The first leg of the race is 4 miles, followed by the second leg (4.7 miles) and the third leg, which is 4.4 miles. If you prefer a 5K run, we have that too! 5K runners will start from the same start line and finish line, as well as the first mile of the half marathon. Entrants must be at least 12 years of age on the day of the race to participate in the half marathon or 10 years of age on the day of the race to participate in the 5k and have a guardian sign the race liability form. Race Weather & Climate Located along the Upper Cumberland Plateau of eastern Tennessee, about 80 miles east of Nashville and roughly 100 miles northwest of Knoxville, Cookeville typically sees mild to moderately warm weather in October, while rainfall totals average just over 3.4 inches for the month, making October the city’s driest month of the year. On race day (Oct. 24), the average low is 42ºF and the average high is 69ºF.

🎅✨ Dashing Through The Upper Cumberland Lights 3K Fun Run! ✨🎅 Bring the whole family and kick off the holiday season with a merry stroll (or dash!) through a glowing wonderland! The Dashing Through The Upper Cumberland Lights 3K is a festive, family-friendly fun walk/run that winds through dazzling light displays and sparkling holiday scenes that capture the magic of the season. This event is all about laughter, togetherness, and holiday spirit—no timers, just twinkle lights and joy! Come dressed in your favorite festive attire—Santa hats, elf ears, Christmas pajamas, or even a string of lights. Whether you walk, jog, or dance your way through the course, you’ll make unforgettable memories under the glow of the Upper Cumberland lights. Hot cocoa, photo ops, and plenty of cheer await at the finish line! Kids 5 and under Free! Run, Walk, Jog or Dance Multiple times for no Extra Charge! The race kicks off at 6pm! Once you finish the main course, you are welcome to run the course as many times as you would like. The course closes at 10pm Please Note if you sign up after 11/12/25, your race tee shirt will be ready for pick up 3-4 business days after the race in Cookeville, Tn.

Thank you for joining us for our 32nd Annual Turkey Trot! Since our early beginnings in 1979, the Y has been a force for good - leading and facilitating positive community impact. For 45+ years, we have been growing, evolving, and enriching individuals and families of all ages in spirit, mind, and body. We are proud to serve the Upper Cumberland, and we are grateful for the support of our community. Proceeds from this race benefit the YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign which funds our many outreach programs like Learn to Swim, Go Pink Recovery Program, Cancer Recovery Program, and Open Doors. Our YMCA uses the funds from this campaign to make a meaningful, lasting impact right in your neighborhood. By supporting the YMCA, you ensure a brighter tomorrow for the men, women and children who call our region home.

🎅🎄 Santa Run 5K & Kids Fun Run 🎄🎅 Join us on December 19 for a holly jolly morning of fun, fitness, and Christmas cheer at our Santa Run benefiting The Upper Cumberland Foster Closet. We serve foster children and foster families in our community! ❤️ Whether you’re a serious runner or just want to make fun holiday memories with your family, this event is for everyone! 🏃‍♂️ 5K Santa Run Perfect for runners and walkers of all ages. Dress in your favorite festive attire — Santa suits, elf costumes, Christmas pajamas, tutus, ugly Christmas sweaters, or holiday accessories are highly encouraged! 🎁 1-Mile Kids Fun Run A fun and exciting run just for kids! Participants can enjoy a festive course filled with holiday spirit, music, and surprises along the way. Kids are encouraged to dress up too! 🏆 We will also have a prize for BEST DRESSED, so get creative and show off your holiday spirit!

Check-in begins at 8:00 AM and the race starts at 10:00 AM.The event is fully accessible and pet-friendly, but all pets must remain leashed at all times.This is a certified 5K with professional timing. All results will be posted immediately after the race.To guarantee your Cupid's Chase shirt, please register by January 1, 2027; after that date, shirts will be available while supplies last.Giveaways include a Cupid's Chase finisher medal and drawstring bag, available while supplies last.Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 overall male and female finishers.Age group medals will be awarded to the overall male and female finishers in each of the following 14 age groups: 12 & under, 13–15, 16–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69 and 70 & over.This is a rain or shine event. All registration fees are non-refundable.

Join us for the 2027 Cummins Falls Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K! ***** NOTE: Registration closes at 3:00 p.m. CST on Friday, February 26, 2027!! ***** These four races are very scenic, with the marathon, half-marathon, and 10K routes following the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River for a good portion of the route. The three longer-distance races are very challenging, with steep hills and great scenery. All four routes are run on the picturesque rural back roads of Jackson County, Tennessee, and are sure to be enjoyed by traditional marathon runners and trail runners alike. We will be offering a discount for 5K and 10K teams of five that register together, as well as Half and Full Marathon teams of three. Grab a few friends and sign up for the race as a team and receive $5 (5K and 10K) - $10 (Half and Full Marathon) off your registration! The first four (5K and 10K) or first two (half and full) will pay the full registration price; once the fifth (5K and 10K) or third (half and full) runners register, a refund to the first registrants will be made automatically. Our goal is to provide a quality outdoor recreational event while raising funds to assist with critical land acquisitions and other needs at Cummins Falls State Park. Race Start Times (Note that Cummins Falls is in the Central Time Zone.) 8:00 AM CST: Marathon & Half 9:00 AM CST: 10K & 5K Course Information: Marathon Course: Marathon map Half Marathon Course: Half map 10K Course: 10K Map 5K Course: 5K Map Awards Finisher medals are awarded to ALL finishers. Finishers from all four races (5K,10K, Half, and Full) will receive distinctive and unique wood medals. Awards for all four races (marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K) are given for: -1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for male and female overall -1st, 2nd and 3rd places for male and female for these age group brackets: 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ -Masters Male and Female Awards (40 and up) -Grand Masters Male and Female Awards (50 and up) Cutoff Times There is an 8 hour cutoff for the marathon and half marathon. Walkers are welcome for the 5K and 10K. Race Details - This race is a chip-timed race. - Runners who register before Feb. 1 are guaranteed 2027 runner t-shirts. There is a "no shirt" option for those who don't want a shirt, but would rather the cost of the shirt be added to the proceeds of the race to benefit the park. If your size is not available, either choose another size or choose the "no shirt" option. If you don't get a 2027 shirt and want one, check with us after 10:00 a.m. on race day when unclaimed shirts will be available. - Finisher medals are awarded to all finishers. - Music is allowed. - There are aid stations approximately every 2 - 3 miles on the route. Cancellations/Refunds Cummins Falls Marathon has a NO REFUND policy, with the exception of race cancellation due to public health concerns. We will offer deferrals to the 2028 race OR a refund minus the service fees. Distance changes are allowed until online registration closes. Packet Pick-up Packet pickup on Friday, Feb. 26, will be from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. CST in the parking lot behind St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 640 N. Washington Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501. The church is at the corner of N. Washington and 7th St.; entry to the parking lot is off of 7th St. This will be a drive-up event. Signs will point you to the correct entrance and you will be guided to the rear of the church where someone will ask for your name and which race you're running, then bring your bag to you in your car. Packet pickup on Saturday, Feb. 27, will be at the park from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. CST for marathon and half marathon runners and from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. for 5K and 10K runners. If at all possible, please pick up your bags on Friday! Hotel Accommodations: Discounted rates and late check-outs for Fairfield Inn & Suites are available by booking through the link below; reservations must be made by February 5, 2027 for these guaranteed rates. Book your group rate for Cummins Falls Marathon

The Great Chase Race is BACK! This race will not only push you to run a 5K but will also give you the chance to run down some of Cookeville‘s best runners! 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run Date: August 8, 2026 Start Time: Fun Run 7:30 AM /5K 8:00 AM 100% of proceeds benefit the work of El Puente Hispanic Community Center.