Excitement comes to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and Gatlinburg with the Mountain Man Memorial March, scheduled for April 23!The march is a tribute to our American men and women in uniform and is open to any civilian from any age group and all military personnel. The event is now the largest recognition ceremony in the southeast region of Gold Star Mothers, which is an organization made up of any mother who has lost a soldier.
History of the Mountain Man Memorial March
The first Mountain Man Memorial March was held to honor 1st Lt. Frank Walkup, a University of Tennessee alumnus, who was tragically killed in 2007 while serving in Iraq. The march quickly grew into an annual event to honor all men and women in uniform serving their country. Five years later, the march is one of the most popular events in Gatlinburg Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains.
Event Information
The Mountain Man Memorial March is also a run in the magnificent Smoky Mountains which begins in downtown Gatlinburg. The march is divided into two separate distances. The complete march is a distance of 26.2 miles and the half march is 13.1 miles. Members of the military may participate as an individual, as a team member, or a civilian and may choose between Heavy or Light categories. Regulations apply to back pack weight and uniforms. Civilians may enter as individuals or as a team and will also have a choice between Heavy or Light categories where back pack weight and uniform are subject to regulations.
There are three categories for the run with distances of 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles or a 10k run and participants are divided into categories based on gender and age. You can find local Gatlinburg cabin specials while you take part in the festivities.
