Cinnamon bread pit stops and roller coasters: Dollywood’s race weekend is unlike any other

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Forget water stations. At Run Dollywood, runners get cinnamon bread and roller coaster rides.

Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton ran an abbreviated version of the course Thursday morning, giving media a preview of the inaugural race weekend set for April 25-26.

The park expects 6,500 runners across a kids fun run, 5K, 10K and half marathon. The half marathon sold out in roughly two weeks.

“We’re going to have a cinnamon bread stop along the way and also be able to ride some coasters during your race,” Naughton said. “That’s uniquely Dollywood. Only Dollywood can pull that off and I think people are going to really like that.”

The races will start in the parking lot at Splash Country, which is closed during that time of year. The 5K and 10K are entirely on Dollywood property, while the half marathon extends onto Jake Thomas Boulevard.

The half marathon course includes 1,400 feet of elevation change through the Great Smoky Mountains.

Naughton, who has run a marathon in every state and crossed over 80 marathons in his lifetime, said the course is not for the light-hearted.

“Even if you’re just getting off the couch today, I still think there’s time to get ready, but be ready for the hills because we’re in the Great Smoky Mountains,” he said.

Runners will move through the park with entertainment and on-course surprises along the way.

Naughton said the event is designed to reach people who have never visited the park.

“Believe it or not, 60% of the people every day have never been to Dollywood before,” Naughton said. “We’re stretching our destination markets in a really big way.”

Over 60% of the runners signed up for the inaugural event are mothers, according to Naughton.

“They’re going to be out here with their entire family and I know it’s going to be fun for them as well,” he said.

Donna Barnes, visiting from Ohio, said she recently got back into running and would love to participate in the half marathon.

“I really love the park. I’ve been here many times and so I was really excited to hear about it,” McKee said.

Mychal Roye, visiting from Birmingham, Alabama, said the race would be a great way to make memories with family.

“You get to sight-see and you just look around at your surroundings makes the running easier,” Roye said. “It’s just a great time to make memories with family and just have fun doing it.”

Dollywood has already scheduled a second race weekend for Sept. 26-27 during the park’s Harvest Festival. Details are still being finalized, and interested runners can fill out an interest form at Dollywood.com/RunDollywood to receive information once it is available.

Naughton said the park may add more spots for the fall race after learning from the April event.

He also said a full marathon could be on the horizon, leveraging the 8.5 miles of greenway space in the area.

Participants will receive exclusive inaugural race medals, event-specific T-shirts and race bibs. Runners who complete all three races will receive a pink butterfly medal, a nod to Dolly Parton’s preferences.

A few spots remain for the shorter races. Bib pickup and a race expo are scheduled for April 24 at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.