Archived Outdoors

Virtual race raised $70K for the Smokies

Virtual race raised $70K for the Smokies

The fourth annual Cades Cove Loop Lope has raised $70,000 for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park despite having to take place virtually this year to prevent spread of COVID-19. 

The 5K and 10-mile race was originally slated for Nov. 8 but was converted to a virtual race in which participants ran the designated distance at their own preferred time and place. More than 350 runners participated in the virtual race and received a commemorative medal, T-shirt and neck gaiter mask. 

Proceeds benefited Friends of the Smokies, an official nonprofit partner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and will support park programs and projects including environmental education, historic preservation and wildlife management.

More information, including results, are online at www.looplope.org. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the 2021 race, businesses can contact Kathryn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.