Fontana Dam Race 5k and 10k – August 16, 2014 – Fontana Village NC

A nice scenic race in the shadow of the Fontana Dam near Fontana Village Resort and a great opportunity to spend a little extra time checking out what the area has to offer. I had the opportunity to walk across Fontana Dam about 17 years ago while doing a short stretch of the Appalachian Trail. A little bit of information about Fontana Dam:

Fontana Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Little Tennessee River in Swain and Graham counties, North Carolina. The dam is operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which built the dam in the early 1940s to accommodate the skyrocketing electricity demands in the Tennessee Valley at the height of World War II. At 480 feet high, Fontana is the tallest dam in the Eastern United States, and at the time of its construction, it was the fourth tallest dam in the world. The dam impounds the 10,230-acre Fontana Lake, which spreads across a scenic stretch of the Little Tennessee along the southwestern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Appalachian Trail crosses the top of the dam.

Both races (10k and 5k) start at 9:00 AM. Following is some additional background from the race organizers:

Compete with other racers in 5K and 10K races along the shores of the historic Little Tennessee River below Fontana Dam in the Great Smoky Mountains on a relatively flat course. Races will be bracketed in 5 year divisions for both male and female participants. A “One Mile Fun Run” will be available for all ages.

Enjoy a full weekend of outdoor activities such as white water rafting, zip line canopy tours, hiking, boating, and everything else the Smokies have to offer. Relax in the evening at Fontana Village with dinner and live music.

COURSE MAP

REGISTRATION/INFORMATION

Online registration is available at Active.com. For more information, visit the race website and the race Facebook page.