
Bristol, United States of America · Saturday 3 October 2026
Welcome to the Johnny Fresh Legs Steele Creek Struggle, an epic backwoods adventure in the heart of Steele Creek Park, one of Tennessee’s most scenic and untamed trail systems. This is not your typical half marathon - it’s a gritty, wild, and rewarding test of endurance for trail runners who thrive on technical terrain and real mountain grit. Also sponsored by Mountain Sports Limited, Bristol, VA, Petro Chili & Chips, Beat Street Bites (beatstreetbites.com) & Dr. Michael Smith Chiropractic, Bristol, TN. Course Overview Distance: 13.1 miles Elevation Gain: Over 2,000 feet Terrain: Technical single track with roots, rocks, steep climbs, creek crossings, and fast descents Location: Steele Creek Park - Bristol, TN This course is designed for trail runners who live for the challenge. Expect to tackle steep ridge lines, narrow switchbacks, creek crossings, and rocky forest paths that wind through thick Appalachian woodlands. Every mile delivers a new test - and a new reason to love trail running. Wild & Untamed Keep your eyes open - you might catch a glimpse of white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and other wildlife along the course. Maybe even a bear. (Don’t worry - they’re not racing.) Race Warning This is not a beginner-friendly race. It’s raw. It’s technical. It’s unpredictable. And it’s unforgettable. Perfect for runners looking to push their limits and earn serious trail cred. Ready to Run Wild? If you’re up for the challenge, sign up and get ready to experience trail racing the way it was meant to be - muddy, steep, and gloriously tough. All race proceeds donated to Steele Creek Park for trail improvements. Awards will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers. The Struggle is Real, Rough, Rocky & Rooty!
Adjusted Time
2:20:24
Time difference: +35.4 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
We don't yet have verified elevation data for this course, so we can't rate its difficulty against other half marathons. Our data pipeline backfills course elevation continuously - check back soon.
Steele Creek Struggle Half Marathon Trail Race is a half marathon held in Bristol, United States of America. It is scheduled for Saturday 3 October 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 0m of total climbing, with its high point near 0m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Steele Creek Struggle Half Marathon Trail Race website.
This is a very flat course, with only 0m of total climbing and little change in altitude throughout. Flat profiles let you hold an even pace from start to finish, which makes this a fast, PB-friendly race.
Steele Creek Struggle Half Marathon Trail Race is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are usually slower than the road equivalent - often by 10-20% - because of uneven footing, technical sections, and frequently steeper gradients, though a smooth, non-technical or downhill trail can run faster than that suggests. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended.
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