|
|
|
First Timer's Guide
Race Calendars
Training Plans
|
|
Tennessee > Southern Tennessee Plunge Marathon & Half Marathon
Winchester, TN • Saturday, October 5, 2013 • Course Map
 |
|
This peaceful, remote valley in the region of southern Tennessee known as the Cumberland Plateau plays host to the third annual running of the Southern Tennessee Plunge Marathon & Half Marathon, set for the early fall of 2013 through the small city of Winchester, the birthplace of both legendary entertainer Dinah Shore and longtime University of Tennessee football coach Philip Fulmer.
Nestled in the valley of the Elk River here in southern Tennessee, near the Tims Ford Lake and Dam, and about a 20-minute drive from the campus of the University of the South, a nationally-renowned liberal arts university and school of theology, Winchester offers a course filled with rolling hills along the rural country roads just outside town, through the nearby town of Decherd and across a bridge that takes runners over one of the easternmost fingers of the Tims Ford Lake.
The course for the 13.1-mile half marathon -- like the 26.2-mile full marathon -- follows an out-and-back route that starts and finishes in downtown Winchester, near the intersection of the city's Jefferson Street and 2nd Avenue. From there, those running the half marathon follow basically the first half of the full marathon course, a big, 13.1-mile counter-clockwise loop that takes runners first out of town along College Street, past the hospital and in the direction of the Winchester Airport.
After the stretch past the airport along Halfmoon Road, runners then head north and west along Woodcrest Drive and Bypass Road, and then to Dinah Shore Boulevard, which runs straight from Winchester into the nearby town of Decherd. Runners remain on Dinah Shore as it curves toward the north, out of town and into the countryside, along Blair Pond Road and Old Estill Springs Road.
The last few miles of the half marathon bring runners back around to the finish by way of Tims Ford Lake, and feature some of the most scenic views along the course, as runners head through Winchester City Park and then across the bridge over the lake along Philip Fulmer Parkway, before heading back into town for the half marathon finish along High Street.
Just under 290 runners crossed the finish line in both races combined at the event's 3rd annual running in 2012, including 174 finishers in the half marathon alone.
Race Weather & Climate
Located among the Cumberland plateau region of Tennessee, about 65 miles west of Chattanooga and roughly 85 miles southeast of Nashville, Winchester typically sees October temperatures that average between 48°F and 72°F, while rainfall totals average just over 2.9 inches, making October its second-driest month of the year.
On the day of the race (Oct. 5), the average low is 52°F and the average high is 76°F.
Course Map
View the race route map for the Southern Tennessee Plunge Half Marathon
Starting Time
7:00 AM
Fees
$40 for the half marathon, if registered by May 5, 2013
$45 between May 6 - July 5
$50 between July 6 - September 5
$55 between Sept. 6 - October 3
Registration
To reserve your spot in the early fall 2013 running of Winchester's Southern Tennessee Plunge Marathon or Half Marathon race, register online at Active.com.
Official Race Website
www.southerntennesseemarathon.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in Tennessee's annual Southern Tennessee Plunge Marathon or Half Marathon? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
|
|
|
