Welcome to 6th Gateway to the Smokies event. Last year, we made a lot of changes to the event: a new venue, new distance and a new course and it all went spectacularly. We are going to keep those changes in place and continue to work to make this event even better. We hope you will join us.
This race will be run in conjunction with the Mighty 4 Miler to Benefit the Riley Howell Foundation Fund.
Race Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 7:30 AM
Registration
Online registration will open on Thursday, January 1, 2026 and will close on Thursday, June 18 at 9:00 PM.
Race Information
January 1-March 31 – $60
Apri 1-May 31 – $70
June 1–Race Day – $80
Note: The entry fees shown here do not include service charges and taxes added by the registration platform. Those fees will be visible during the online registration process.
Friday, June 19 – 4:00-6:00 PM – Frog Level Brewing, 56 Commerce Street, Waynesville
Saturday, June 20 – 5:30-7:15 AM – Commerce Street, Waynesville
The race will begin on Commerce Street in the Frog Level section of Waynesville. The course will go up Main Street, under the new Gateway to the Smokies arch and past the Riley Howell memorial tree and will include parts of Waynesville and Hazelwood.
Aid stations will be located at mile points 2.4, 4.4, 5.6 and 8.3 and will serve water and Gatorade
Click HERE to see the Ten-Miler turn-by-turn directions
Click HERE to see the Ten-Miler course map.
There is 673 feet of elevation gain and loss on this course.
Time Limit
All 10-mile participants will have 2:30 (two hours, 30 minutes) to complete the course in order to be provided full police protection and aid station support. Those still on the course at this time will be asked to stay to sidewalks and follow traffic rules. Race officials will stay with all runners on the course to make sure they arrive to the finish line safely.
Swag
All runners registered by June 10 are guaranteed to receive a race shirt. Any registrations after this date will be based on availability.
All finishers will receive a commemorative finisher medal.
Spectators
Spectators are welcome at the start and finish area. Please see the Parking section below for the best place to park.
Photos – Courtesy of Paul King
We will be holding our traditional post-race program near the finish line on Commerce Street, including water and light snacks and the award ceremony at approximately 10:00 AM. Those 21+ can receive a free beer from Frog Level Brewing anytime on Saturday starting at 11:30 AM by showing your race bib.
All finishers will receive a commemorative award at the finish line.
Special pottery awards from Mud Dabbers Pottery will be presented to the top three male and female finishers for Overall finishers and First place Masters (40 & Over) in each race.
Age group awards will go to the first, second, and third male and female in the following age groups: 15 & Under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & Over. No double-dipping!
Please plan on being present for the awards ceremony or make arrangements for someone else to pick up your award. They are fragile and cannot be mailed.
The race will utilize chip timing. A timing chip will be on the back of your race bib, which should be worn on your front and visible at all times during the race.
We love dogs but we don’t feel that running ten miles in June with one is a good idea. For that reason, dogs are not permitted to run with their people in the race. They are permitted in the start/finish area.
All racers and spectators are encourage to park in the Haywood County Courthouse parking deck at 143 Branner Avenue or the municipal parking lot at 77-63 Montgomery Street. Both lots are about four blocks from the Start/Finish Area.
There is no parking on Commerce Street on race morning as the street will be closed to all traffic.
Glory Hound Events has a NO REFUND/NO DEFERRAL policy. This is a rain or shine event!
Transfers
You may transfer your registration to another person. There will be a $2 processing fee per transfer.
To transfer your registration to another person please log into Race Roster and select Transfer where prompted. All transfers must be completed by June 18 at 9:00 PM.
This is the only way transfers or the selling of bibs between participants will be allowed. Anyone who is discovered to have purchased or accepted another person’s bib without submitting this form will be disqualified and banned from future races.
Would you still like to be part of this great event but don’t want to run? Volunteering is the perfect way to do that. We have spots available as course marshals and at the course aid stations. Please click HERE to sign up for one of our available spots.
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