Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon

Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon is a half marathon held in Townsend, United States of America, scheduled for Thursday 26 November 2026. The course is run on road surface with 138m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 316m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

With 138m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 260m to 316m above sea level (56m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.

Expected Race Day Weather

Based on historical weather data for November, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Hot conditions are expected, with temperatures between 19°C and 27°C. Heat is one of the biggest performance factors in marathon running — research shows that for every degree above 15°C, marathon times slow by approximately 1-2%. Extra hydration and a conservative start are strongly recommended. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Road

Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.

How Difficult Is Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon?

Our difficulty rating for Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based half marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.

Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon against other half marathons to find the right race for your goals.