Gobbler Gallop

Directions

From I-40 take Miller Avenue going south. Turn left on Hwy 127, then right on Hwy 479. Turn left on Swim Drive to the Swimming Pool Lodge.

GPS 35.89609 -85.00035

Course

Start and finish at the swimming pool lodge at Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville. After starting in the parking lot, the course goes out to a right turn on Hwy 419 and a steep uphill to a right turn on Hwy 127. At 2 miles, turn right on Old Mail Rd and follow a series of steep up-and-down hills to Coon Hollow Lane at mile 5. At the end of the road, turn right to connect with the park road. Rolling downhill to Hollow Branch bridge across Byrd Lake Dam on Hwy 419 and turn right to the finish at the Lodge. Considered the third-hardest course until The Bat.

Course History

This race began in 1979 with a start at the dam. The course was designed by Andy Lyon, the Park Ranger, with the help of Fred Gent and Steve Douglas. The race was added to the Tour in 1983. When the swimming pool lodge was built, the start was moved to its current location in the parking lot. In 2005 the start and finish were held at the Park Restaurant at Mile 6 of the old course, but otherwise identical. Most runners would prefer this location of the start because it puts the first hill at 1.5 miles instead of 0.5 miles. However, since 2007 the start and finish are back at the lodge. From 2015 Terry Walter was the Race Director, then Dan Smithhisler in 2018. 

Race Workers in 2022: Terry Walter, Tomas de Paulis, Roger Gall, Dan Smithhisler (Race Director), Joe Fussell, Monte Lowe.

Tony Borghetti tries to get his shoes back on.