Lindsay Howell, left, and Kathryn Hemphill, special projects directors for Friends of the Smokies, put on another terrific event Sunday despite the cold, snow and ice. The 2023 Cades Cove Loop Lope should be Nov. 12 so save the date. (Mary Kay Godbey Photo).
The Cades Cover Loop Lope is the only organized footrace inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one of only a few runs totally inside a national park in the United States.
The sixth annual Cades Cove Loop Lope was Sunday — and I was fortunate to be able to participate in the full 10-mile loop lope for the fifth time. There’s also a 5K (3.1 miles) option. Entries are limited to 750 total for the two events.
This year it was COLD. In fact, park officials worried Saturday night they might have to cancel the event put on by Friends of the Smokies as a fundraiser for parks projects because of snowy, ice roads. Fortunately, about 4:45 a.m. Sunday the go-ahead was given and we got to enjoy a glorious morning that had temperatures ranging 29 to 32 degrees at the start to finish of the event.
Now this course has hills — and some big hills. But it also has something else you find in very few races — wildlife.
I saw five bears, 22 deer and 12 turkeys during the run. (Some asked how I remembered and trust me, if you are running/walking 10 miles you need something to help keep your mind occupied). There was also a gorgeous view of the snow on the Smoky Mountains as we started with a hint of fog/haze/mist that made it even more spectacular.
I’ve been lucky enough that Kathryn Hemphill, special projects director for Friends of the Smokies, has let me help at packet pickup the day before the race the last three years. I got to not only see friends from Kentucky, but met folks not only from Tennessee obviously but also from North Carolina, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Ohio, Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, Florida and a few other states that I don’t even remember.
Lindsay Howell started working with Friends of the Smokies in February as another special projects coordinator. This was her first packet pickup experience and like Hemphill, she’s a bundle of energy, fun and organization.
Jeremy Ellis of Danville finished in 1 hour, 39 minutes, 18 seconds — a 9:55 per mile pace. His buddies, David Anderson (1:39:26) and Doug Sharp (1:39:52) were right behind him and Sarah Ruhe of Danville clocked a 1:43:58.
How did I do? I finished in 2:17:37 — a 13:45 pace (second in my age division and second among only five folks 70 and older who ran the 10 miles) which this 70-year-old guy was thrilled to do. I have to thank Amy Daugherty of Portland, Tenn., who I met on the run for basically keeping me company, talking to me and helping me make the final five miles.
I had hoped I could finish in the 3-hour time limit and felt even on my best day 2 1/2 hours would be the absolute best. Instead, I saw wildlife, had a hat covered with ice and still managed to run across the finish line where I made Howell take the time to present me with my finisher’s medal.
This is easily the most unique running event I’ve ever been part of with some of the best folks — both on the court and organizational-wise — who all love the Smoky Mountains and want to help do what they can to raise funds to help keep the area beautiful for many more generations to enjoy.
Cades Cove Loop Lope
Photos by Mary Kay Godbey
2 Responses
I’ve done the Las Vegas half marathon down the strip at night, Walt Disney World marathon on main street USA, and the Derby Mini marathon through Church Hill Downs. Nothing has ever come close to the Cades Cove 10 miler. This is my favorite race and already looking forward to 2023 with all my friends again!
High praise David but not going to get an argument from me and your experience should tell folks just how special this event is