Wanderers Trail Race 2026

Nearly 400 runners (second highest total ever for what is traditionally KTC’s best attended trail race) registered to run the kickoff event for the Treadin’ Trodden Trails 2026 season.  In spite of being forced to postpone the date for the second straight years due to weather concerns, race directors Kathy Smith and Tony Owens stewarded a huge group of volunteers and committee members in order to ensure an orderly and enjoyable event for such a large and boisterous crowd of trailsters.

Since 2012, Maryville College has hosted the Wanderers Trail Race, and Kathy Smith has expertly directed. Originally intended to be a race hosted at different venues, Wanderers never wandered from its original location. The Maryville College Woods contains over four miles of trail, and though the trails are beginner-friendly they offer up fun for even the most hardened mountain runner. Originally four miles in length, the race was eventually changed to a 5K, and that distance has remained.

The Kids Trail Mile, always a treat for viewers and participants alike, started off the day’s festivities at 1:30, with well over a dozen kiddos, some accompanied by parents and siblings, sprinting off into the woods chasing our race rabbit.  When they returned, we saw 13-year old female Esperanza Marcillo emerge as the overall winner in a blazing time of 7:59, followed closely by brothers Hudson and Sutton Snyder, all the way from Bastrop,Texas.

In the main event, Maryvillian Masters runner Douglas Martin did his hometown proud by winning with a clocking of 18:45, more than a minute ahead of runnerup Keith Crouch of Knoxville (19:49).  Teen sensation and familiar podium dweller Cooper Bostrom was third, running (20:21).

Among the women trailsters, Eden Slater dominated the field, whipping across the line in 21:22, almost two minutes ahead of Sophie Blondel, who was timed in 23:17 and top Female Masters competitor Eleanor McDonough (23:35).

After all the tasty hot soup was gone and many of the tired sore muscles massaged to a better place by Dr. Conner Sharp of Knoxville Spine and Sports, the crew gathered up what was left, packed it away, and prepared to reassemble just two short weeks hence up at Big Ridge State Park for the Dark Hollow Wallow five and eleven mile races, as well as another thrilling Kids Trail Mile.  

If you haven’t registered yet for Dark Hollow, here’s a handy signup link.  Do it now!  And there’s definitely time to take advantage of the amazing Treadin’ Trodden Trails Season Pass race bundle.  

See you on the trails.