2012-2013 Tennessee State Parks Running Tour

2012-13 Season Wrapup A wonderful wintery course at the 15K Fall Creek Thaw on March 2, 2013, completed the 21-race 2012-13 Tennessee Running Tour. Congratulations to the season’s overall Grand Prix Champions in each of the five categories for male and female runners. Thanks to everyone that participated, volunteered, and supported the Tour in 2012-13 as it was our biggest year ever.  We look forward to seeing you back at the races next October. Farewell to Tennessee State Parks Running Tour 2004-2013 March 4, 2013 Dear Runner, After serving for 9 years as the Running Tour Volunteer Director, it is time for me to step down and let new blood into the Tour. I wish to convey my appreciation for the generous support from the State Parks Office over the years. They have designed the shirt logo, printed the brochure, provided each race with shirts for race workers, and helped defray cost of the Grand Prix Championship Awards. With the continuing increases in participation in individual races of the Running Tour, I am confident that this unique series of running events will continue to grow for years to come. Good running and thank you for your participation. Tomas de Paulis Tennessee State Parks Running Tour Volunteer Race Director, 2004 - 2013

At 34 years strong in 2012-13, Tennessee State Parks features the longest state parks running series in the nation.  It consists of 20 road races and one trail race with distances varying from 5 to 13.1 miles held on Saturdays at 11 a.m. local time from October to March in 21 different State Parks - from Meeman-Shelby in Memphis to Warriors’ Path in Kingsport.

These events are sponsored by local running clubs that are responsible for registration, timing and results. State Parks provide facilities, race security and traffic control. Walkers are welcome. More than 4,000 runners participated in the 2012-13 season, and overall runner participation has doubled in less than a decade on the Tour.

For those who finish in five or more races, there is a Grand Prix points system where the accumulated points determine the male and female Running Tour Champion in each of five age categories: youth, open, masters, grandmasters, senior grandmasters, and seventy plus. Everyone who participates in 10 Tour races or more receives a special award at the end of season Grand Prix Awards Banquet at Fall Creek Falls State Park.

The Tour remains one of the best values in running as entry fees are kept low to encourage participation at multiple races and exposure to a variety of state parks across Tennessee.

Thank you Tomas!  Welcome Mike Bell.

Tennessee State Parks thanks Running Tour Volunteer Race Director Tomas de Paulis for his outstanding work coordinating the Running Tour over the past nine years (2004-2013). The Tour is now enjoyed by more people at more park locations because of his dedicated efforts. The new Volunteer Race Director is Mike Bell with the Jackson Roadrunners Running Club.  Tennessee State Parks looks forward to working with Mike and all of the Race Directors as we continue to draw more participants out to race events and our state parks.