Smoky Mountain Relay

11/26/2020

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! 🦃❤️

10/02/2020

Smoky Mountain Relay's cover photo

10/02/2020

SMOKY MOUNTAIN RELAY DELAY DECISION.
After having the rug pulled out from under our best laid plans for the 2020 race, we are opting to wait until April of 2022 to put on the next race. The most important thing for us is to keep our team and our families safe as well as our runners and volunteers.
This gives us time to work on big improvements and changes.

10/02/2020

Smoky Mountain Relay

05/01/2020

Sufferfest Challenge on Strava Official Terms and Conditions

Looking for a new challenge? Check out the Sufferfest Beer Company Strava Challenge!

THIS PROMOTION IS OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE PARTICIPATING UNITED STATES JURISDICTION THAT IS IDENTIFIED IN THE PROMOTION’S POINT-OF-SALE ADVERTISEMENT ("POS") WHO ARE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

04/25/2020

Timeline Photos

04/24/2020

If only....

04/24/2020

#runningporn #smrtough See you in 2021!!!

04/24/2020

Missing this right now. I guess we didn't miss the 2am wake up but everything that happens after is magical.

04/23/2020

#tbt Let's meet here next year.

04/23/2020

#tbt when getting extra toilet paper for the 35 Exchanges was no big deal. And our Exchange Box inspector, Charlie the cat. 😜

04/22/2020

Leg 1/ Leg 2

04/21/2020

The good ol' days

04/21/2020

Missing you!

03/19/2020

Kick It Event Management

Kick It Event Management

Let's keep it moving!!

03/18/2020

These bizarre times have put us into uncharted waters. We have never had to cancel an event for any reason, let alone being FORCED to cancel because of a global virus outbreak.

Over the past twelve years, the Smoky Mountain Relay has produced an amazing running adventure for thousands of runners through the mountains of Western North Carolina, traversing five counties, two National Forests, and one National Parkway. Over the years, this giant production benefited many, many local businesses and charities along the route, including groups like the Cowee School, the host of our exchange 30 and their pancake breakfast.

Our decision to not refund any registration fees was based on our current refund policy. We’d like to be clear that we stand by our no refund policy. We would like runners to take a moment and not only value the items that have been purchased months in advance on behalf of the race but also the time that has been spent planning, permitting, negotiating, communicating, marketing, traveling, and in meetings. Many hundreds of team hours have gone into planning this race over the last year. A “simple refund” is not as straightforward as you imagine.

That being said, after the virtual race is complete on April 25th, the awards and swag have been shipped, charitable donations have been made, and final costs have been tallied, we will refund some percentage of each team’s registration fee back to each team captain. The percentage refunded will not be decided upon until then, but please trust that it will be equitably calculated for all. We aim to have everything shored up by May 8th. Because of this change, we will NOT be giving out any discounts for the 2021 relay, only this refund.

This will be the last we will discuss, respond to inquiries or share about this topic until after we have a number to communicate. We do appreciate those that have been supportive of our decisions and value our team and our work.

We encourage you all to compete in the virtual race. It’s the best we can do with these circumstances. We wholeheartedly are looking forward to 2021!

Focus on staying safe and keep running. Remember, rule #1 is cardio.

03/17/2020

If you ordered extra SMR add on swag items, those things were shipped out today. This is not the finisher swag.

03/16/2020

Just some clarification here.
1. We will mail all swag out to you whether or not you participate in the virtual run.
2. We invite you to run your legs with your team or on your own locally. You DO NOT need to run on the course. It will be a fun challenge!
3. I know you're disappointed, we are also. We've been working on this event for a full year and have put thousands of work hours into this event.
4. The Smoky Mountain Relay has a “no-refund” policy. The event staff work year-round to make this event not only happen but also work to provide a memorable experience by purchasing unique race swag, medals, and merchandise. There are many expenses with the production of an event including marketing, ads, printing, permits, equipment, and the list goes on. All of these expenses have already been incurred.

03/16/2020

Smoky Mountain Relay's cover photo

03/16/2020

Runners - the following information has also been emailed to you.
I’m sure you’ve been tracking the spread of COVID-19 and the daily changes in precautionary guidelines. On Sunday, March 15th, the CDC gave us a clear line in the sand, recommending that no gatherings with 50 people or more — including weddings, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events or conferences — be held in the United States for the next eight weeks (May 10th, 2020).

The full statement can be viewed here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html.

This means, unfortunately, that we are going to have to cancel the on-site running of the 2020 Smoky Mountain Relay. We are as disappointed by this as I’m sure you are. It’s not necessarily a vacation for us to produce an extreme race over a spring week wrapped in the scenery of Western North Carolina’s Pisgah and Nantahala Forests - but it is pretty close.

That being said, since we already have your finisher medals, t-shirts, and pint glasses, we want to give you something to focus on in these very weird times with some organized fun - and to let you earn your swag!!

So, here’s what we’ve planned…

You have until 4/25 to complete (if you choose to) the “relay” virtually. For teams that complete the entire race, we will be mailing out t-shirts, pint glasses, some goodies from sponsors and finisher medals to captains at some point after 4/25.

You decide how to accomplish this. Your team can either get together and run these distances supporting each other OR you can run your legs separate from your team (which achieves better social distancing). You will need to log your runs with either of these free tools: RIDE WITH GPS or STRAVA or a similar tool that we can use to verify your runs. Your captain will need to post the links for each of your runs into the legs you’ve been assigned on THE MASTER RACE SHEET. Link in EMAIL

Awards:
Last year's winners will receive the same discounts they received this year.
The winning 12-person and 6-person Ultra team from the 200-mile race and the top team from the 135-mile race on THE MASTER RACE SHEET will receive a custom-crafted award mug.

Please note, anyone who added swag onto your registration will have those items mailed to them this week.

Also, captains will be sent a couple additional goodies as a thank you for your planning and support, regardless of whether your team runs the virtual race. These will be mailed with the finisher bundle or on their own after 4/25.

Lastly, we wish we could give refunds, but we simply cannot due to the number of expenses and time already spent preparing and organizing. All 2020 teams will receive a 10% additional discount for the 2021 SMR. These discount codes will be emailed out when the 2021 race registration opens. We will do our best to make 2021 even better!

03/08/2020

Registration for the 2020 Smoky Mountain Relay closes April 1st. Get a team together, make life long memories and run with picturesque views of the mountains. You’ll be glad you did! #smr #smrtough #getoffyourasphalt

03/03/2020

If you see this sign, you’re almost there! Your teams better be ready to run across the finish line with you. Registration closes April 1 - what're you waiting for?

02/26/2020

Less than two months until runners will be finishing up at the Big Wesser bar at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Rip off your beverage token on your bib to redeem a Sufferfest Beer Company or Twisp Southern Hard Seltzer.

02/24/2020

Find a Team/Find a Runner | SMOKY MOUNTAIN RELAY

Reminder!!! If you're wanting to jump on a team or need a runner check this out - https://smokymountainrelay.com/registration/looking-for-a-team-looking-for-a-runner/

“This was my first (of hopefully many) years running the SMR. It was fantastic! It was a breathtakingly gorgeous course, well marked and well organized. What a great weekend – spending time running and hanging out with awesome folks!!” – Emily J.

02/23/2020

Smoky Mountain Relay's cover photo

02/22/2020

Smoky Mountain Relay overview

Registration closes April 1st, there's room for 10 more teams. Want in??

Check out what the Smoky Mountain Relay is all about. 206 or 140-mile courses from Brevard to Bryson City, North Carolina. Teams of 4, 6, 8 or 12. www.smokym...

02/21/2020

Medals are in!!! We have space for 10 more teams.

02/20/2020

Leg 36.... might be a doozy but it sure is beautiful. #smrtough #getoffyourasphalt @nantahalaoutdoorcenter @sufferfestbeer @twispseltzer @brysoncity @ Bryson City, North Carolina

02/19/2020

Refueling at our new Exchange #34

02/12/2020

Packet Pick Up Information | SMOKY MOUNTAIN RELAY

Teams! Wondering about our packet pick up options? Check out all the info on our website.
Plan on joining us at Sierra Nevada Mills River on the back patio under the Sufferfest Beer Company tent Thursday 4-7pm. https://smokymountainrelay.com/registration/packet-pick-up-information/

“This was my first (of hopefully many) years running the SMR. It was fantastic! It was a breathtakingly gorgeous course, well marked and well organized. What a great weekend – spending time running and hanging out with awesome folks!!” – Emily J.

02/09/2020

A little over two months until we return to Bryson City. Captains, get your teams together and we’ll see you there!
📷: @fiascopictures

01/31/2020

Fees increase tomorrow! www.smokymountainrelay.com

01/30/2020

Registration fees increase SATURDAY!!

01/27/2020

www.smokymountainrelay.com

01/27/2020

Smoky Mountain Relay's cover photo