Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Participants in the sixth annual Light the Way 5K Run/Walk will see Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana in a different light – actually four million lights – as the theme park hosts this special event on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 beginning at 11:17 p.m. A new element of fun for this year’s event is a one-mile fun walk that will be held concurrently with the 5K race for those who want to participate at a more leisurely pace through the twinkling holiday lights.
Proceeds from the Light the Way 5K Run/Walk benefit Keep Sevier Beautiful and the Share It Forward program at Dollywood.
Keep Sevier Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is a volunteer-based organization which focuses on waste reduction/recycling, litter prevention and beautifying public spaces through education and community-based programs. The organizations’s goal is to protect the natural beauty of the area that millions of visitors come to see each year.
Share It Forward is a non-profit charity established for the purpose of raising and using funds to assist The Dollywood Company employees and their families in times of need.
“The beauty of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival combined with the challenge of a course that only a theme park can provide makes Light the Way a one-of-a-kind event for runners and walkers,” said David Owenby, director of the Share It Forward program. “But most importantly, this event helps provide our non-profit organizations with financial assistance just before the holidays,” added Lisa Bryant, executive director of Keep Sevier Beautiful.
Light the Way 5K Run/Walk participants are treated to a unique course decorated by the park’s four million Christmas lights, beginning their journey at Dollywood’s groups’ entrance, traversing through the parking lot and then winding through the theme park.
Dollywood Light the Way 5k Route
The certified race will be chip timed and managed by Scenic City Multi-Sports. Awards will be presented to the top three overall for male and female participants.
Pre-registration is encouraged for the Light the Way 5K as the race is limited to 2,017 participants. Registration fee until race day is $45. Register online at www.lighttheway5k.net. Race day registration takes place from 11 a.m. -10 p.m. at the front gate area at Dollywood’s Splash Country.
