Northeast Tennessee’s Toughest Race is seeking competitors brave enough to tackle all the elements and take down Goliath.
Representatives from Doe River Gorge and The Goose Chase held a joint press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce a bevy of activities going on in the fall at the Hampton attraction, including their endeavor to provide the 2017 Goliath at the Gorge, set to take place Saturday, Oct. 14.
Dubbed “Northeast Tennessee’s Toughest Race,” participants will battle through 20 obstacles that will challenge both 10K and 5K runners, starting with a 500-foot incline and ending with a 100-yard mud trench.
Other barriers runners can expect include a paintball course, lake obstacles, mud pit obstacle, pit jump, slingshot and stones, river cross, a burden carry at the top of Mountain Board Trial (for 10K runners) and a host of others.
National popularity has spread with races like the Goliath, according to The Goose Chase founder Karen Hubbs. During Tuesday’s conference, Hubbs shared her history of working at Doe River Gorge and expressed excitement of seeing the race return to the venue.
“This race is one not to miss,” she said. “Goliath at the Gorge is on par with some of the country’s biggest races.”
Participants for Goliath can either participate the 5K or 10K race. Kids can also participate in their own race during the day.
“It’s amazing how tough some of these kids are,” Hubbs said in a statement. “If you’re not ready to participate in an obstacle race, you will have a great time just watching some of these participants.”
Registration for the event is $60 for the 10K, $40 for the 5K and $20 for the kids race. Individuals are encouraged to visit www.thegoosechase.org to register. An additional $5 will be assessed for any late registrations. Action gets underway with the kids race at 10 a.m., followed by the 5L at 10:20 a.m. and the 10K taking place at 10:30 a.m.
Randy Almanzor, with C.S. McCullough’s, serves as the course designer and indicated Tuesday the race is looking to provide individuals with a challenge for its second year.
Goliath at the Gorge starts off a busy weekend of family fun at the Hampton location, with the annual Fall Family Fun Festival scheduled to take place Oct. 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Admission is free to the facility both days and free games of corn hole, disc golf, or volleyball.
Additional activities are also available for $5, including the technical tree climb, climbing tower, UNIMOG 4×4 rides and inflatables. Meal tickets for $8 will be offered during both days, along with pre-purchased tickets ($5) for train rides on the historic East Tennessee and Western North Carolina railroad.
Ken Stoltzfus, communications director for Doe River Gorge Ministries, said fall is a busy, but scenic, season for the facility and that excitement is brewing to provide a host of family-friendly opportunities to the public.
Following Tuesday’s press conference, representatives from Doe River and The Goose Chase provided demonstrations of some of the popular attractions on the property, including a friendly race through a muddy obstacle course.
For more information about Doe River Gorge or the family festival, visit doerivergorge.com or call (423) 725-4010.