Festivals & Events
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12 Runners, 2 Vans, 205 Miles... and an Experience That Lasts a LifetimeNOC teams up with a new Smoky Mountain running challenge - the Smoky Mountain Relay. In its third year, the SMR begins in North Mills River, NC and ends at NOC's campus in Wesser, NC. Covering 205 miles of trails, forest service and rural county roads, runners will experience beautiful Southern Appalachia from its best viewpoint—on foot. Teams consisting of 12 runners will cover the course in 36 sections, called legs, with each runner completing 3 legs. Ultra-running teams of 6 or less athletes are also eligible to enter. The legs range from 2.5 miles to 10 miles in length, and vary in difficulty from easy to very hard terrain. Teams generally complete the course between 24 and 34 hours, and are responsible for supplying two vans in order to shuttle their runners to various exchange points along the course. Race InformationThe Smoky Mountain Relay offers breathtaking views, challenging terrain and a memorable adventure you won't forget. Think you have what it takes? Visit the official event web site for registration information, volunteer guidelines, course and leg descriptions, and more. Are you a runner looking for a team, or a team looking for a runner? Visit the Smoky Mountain Relay Online Forum to ask questions, get answers, find teammates and stay up to date on SMR news. Post-Race CelebrationAs your team triumphantly descends into the Nantahala Gorge for the finish at NOC, you will be greeted with food, drinks, and live music to celebrate the completion of your epic adventure. Enjoy hot showers, plentiful bathrooms, and even an athlete's ice bath in the Nantahala River. NOC lodging, River's End Restaurant, and the Pourover Pub are all located on site for refueling, resting and reveling in you accomplishment with teammates, family and friends. Please note: This year, the Smoky Mountain Relay will share the weekend with two great events: the NOC Freestyle Shootout and NOC’s Demo Days. Family and friends are welcome to join in the fun while waiting for their teams to arrive. Come check out the inaugural freestyle event to take place at the newly constructed 2013 Wave, the first permanent waveshaper in Western North Carolina, and the future site of the 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships. Also, check out the Outfitter’s Store for weekend sales and promotions. "Pain and suffering are often the catalysts for life's most profound lessons… Running is about finding your inner peace, and so is a life well lived."
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