SMARM Pig Pickin 5K Moves to Downtown Sevierville

The 10th annual 5K run to benefit Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries has a new name and a new course route.

The 5K in May is now called Pig Pickin 5K, and will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 — the same weekend as the annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival in downtown Sevierville.

This year the 5K will start and end at First United Methodist Church on Cedar Street downtown. There will be cash prizes for the top male and female, as well as tickets to Ripley’s Aquarium and Dollywood for top finishers in age categories.

“The course will go through mostly neighborhoods and the Sevierville Greenway,” said Elise Collier-Massey, event chair. “It will be a level course, with no hills.”

SMARM decided to move the 5K from Veterans Boulevard to downtown Sevierville to take advantage of the popular Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass, which is held Friday night and all day Saturday. The new name capitalizes on the pork barbecue feature of the festival.

Registration is under way. Advance registration is $25 for adults (postmarked by May 12), with a T-shirt included. Late registration, including the morning of the race, is $30 with a T-shirt if supplies last.

Children ages 6-10 can take part for $10. Children 5 and under can be part of the event for free.

Registration for the Pig Pickin 5K is available by visiting smarm.org or calling the agency at 865-908-3153. All registration fees go to support Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit that serves the poor and needy in Sevier County. Sponsors pay the 5K expenses.

Volunteers are needed to help stage the event. They are needed from 7 a.m. until around 10:30 a.m. To volunteer contact Jessica Will by email to Jessica@recreationinvestments.com or calling the SMARM office.

Collier-Massey said the Pig Pickin 5K will again employ chip timing to get an accurate reading of each participant’s time. She said persons are free to walk the route as well.

Sponsorship packages are available in a variety of levels. For information or to sign up as a sponsor contact SMARM at 865-908-3153.

Registration will open at 7 a.m. the day of the race. The event starts at 8 a.m.

“This is an important fundraiser for SMARM so we can continue the services we provide in our community,” Collier-Massey said. “It’s also a fun event the entire family can be part of. We encourage people to come out and enjoy themselves while supporting a wonderful cause.”

Photo: Patrick Schumacher of Seymour used a late kick to best Brad Adams of Knoxville and finish first overall in the 5K race last year to benefit SMARM. This year’s fundraiser will be May 20 and will start and finish at First United Methodist Church in Sevierville.