Official date status
Run LoCo Half Marathon is listed for December 5, 2026. This date refers to the race represented in this guide; other distances and expo activities may run on different days.
Official date information checked on 2026-10-18. This check covers the date status, not entry availability or final race operations.
December 5, 2026: choose the half-marathon entry
The current event is Run LoCo Half Marathon, with a companion Elf on the Run 5K. The organizer’s 2026 entry page confirms Saturday, December 5, 2026 in Lenoir City, Tennessee. A 2027 edition has not been verified. Although the registration URL retains “Marathon” from the event’s history, the current programme does not offer an individual full marathon.
The half marathon starts at 8:00 am Eastern; the 5K follows at 8:05 am. Choose the distance in your entry confirmation rather than relying on the old URL or a directory title. The event supports the Loudon County Education Foundation, whose work is described on the registration page.
An out-and-back with a simple finish journey
The organizer describes a certified half-marathon course beginning and ending at the Tellico Lake Canal Day Use Area. It takes in views of the Tennessee River, downtown Lenoir City and the Greenway. The half-marathon route goes approximately 6.55 miles out before returning along the same route. The 5K uses its own much earlier turnaround at 1.55 miles.
That distinction matters at junctions: follow your own bib category and course markings rather than turning with a shorter-distance runner. The first five minutes separate the starts, but participants can still meet on the shared route. Leave space when passing and pay attention to marshals at the turn points.
Do not assume that a certified course is completely closed to all traffic. The organizer says the course is marked and some sections are coned, with runner lanes closed. Follow the designated lane and the briefing instructions. No verified elevation total is published here; the route’s scenery does not establish whether every section is flat.
Parking, arrival and the four-hour support window
Parking is at the Tellico Dam area by the start and finish. Because the course returns to the same place, there is no published requirement to organize a separate finish shuttle. Check the latest driving directions and the precise parking entrance before race morning, then allow time to walk to check-in and use the facilities.
Course support and timing run from 8:00 am to noon. Over 21.0975 km, four hours is about 11:23 per kilometre, or 18:19 per mile, including every stop. This is a mathematical limit rather than a suggested pace. If you expect to run and walk, include aid-station and toilet time when checking your plan against noon; do not assume support continues after the published closing time.
The pace calculator can compare your realistic finish goal with that window. Base the goal on recent training and leave a practical margin. If the support limit is too close to your expected finish, ask the organizer about suitability before paying.
Entry details worth resolving early
There is no race-day registration. The main information page states entries close at 6:00 pm Eastern on Friday, December 4, 2026, while the half-marathon event selector displays a later time. Treat the earlier published deadline as the planning boundary and confirm any exception with the organizer. Current prices can change, so use the checkout total rather than an old screenshot.
The age information also differs between the general race rules and the event selector. A parent or younger participant should get explicit confirmation of half-marathon eligibility before entering. Entry fees are described as non-refundable and non-transferable; any permitted event change must follow the organizer’s process. Dogs, strollers and several wheeled devices are prohibited in the published race requirements.
The half-marathon hoodie guarantee has its own October 20 deadline, separate from the race-entry deadline. If that item matters to you, check the size and guarantee terms before registration. Do not treat entering later as a promise of every advertised item.
Fit the remaining weeks to your existing training
A 16-week block ending December 5 begins August 15, 2026. That start is already past at this review date. The event may still suit someone whose half-marathon preparation is already established, but it is not a reason to squeeze a complete block into the remaining weeks.
Use the half-marathon training hub to compare the commitment with your current routine. If you are still building consistent running, consider a later half marathon or ask whether the 5K is the more appropriate entry. Keep any final training adjustments gradual and reserve time for recovery before race day.