The Race to Save the Laurel Dace is a conservation-focused road race scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Spring City, Tennessee. Organized by the Tennessee Aquarium, the event serves as the kickoff for the 2nd annual Laurel Dace Day, a festival dedicated to raising awareness for the critically endangered Laurel Dace minnow. This small fish is native only to two streams on Walden’s Ridge and faces a high risk of extinction due to habitat pollution and drought.
| Race Format | Start Time | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10K & 5K Run/Walk | 8:00 AM EDT | Flat route through historic downtown |
| Half-Mile Fun Run | 8:30 AM EDT | Family-friendly short course |
| Virtual 5K | Flexible | Participate from any location |
The race finishes at the Spring City Nature Park alongside the Piney River, where participants can transition into the Laurel Dace Day festival. The post-race festivities include a farmers market, artisan vendors, and educational activities led by Tennessee Aquarium scientists. All participants receive a custom event t-shirt and finisher prizes, with trophies awarded to the top three male and female finishers in the 5K and 10K categories, alongside age-group medals ranging from 16 to over 55.
Spring City is located in Rhea County, Tennessee, a region defined by its proximity to the Tennessee River and Watts Bar Lake. The town has a population of approximately 2,000 residents. Geographically, the area is part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, providing the specific stream conditions required by the Laurel Dace. The local economy is largely supported by the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant and seasonal tourism related to outdoor recreation and lake activities.
The Laurel Dace conservation effort is a priority for regional environmental groups because the species' entire global population is confined to a very small geographic area. Sedimentation from land use and increasingly frequent extreme weather events have reduced their habitat significantly. The Tennessee Aquarium’s propagation programs and public events like this race are vital for funding the research and stream restoration projects necessary to prevent the species from disappearing. For registration assistance or race-specific inquiries, event contact Jay Nevans manages the official coordination via the Race Roster platform.
May 16, 2026
Distance — 10km
Type — Running
08:00
$44.79
May 16, 2026
Distance — 5km
Type — Running
08:00
$34.09
May 16, 2026
Distance — 5km
Type — Running
08:00
$39.51
May 16, 2026
Distance — 0.8km
Type — Running
08:30
$18.04
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Spring City.
Learn more about the host city, Spring City.
Spring City is a town in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,949 at the 2020 census and 1,981 at the 2010 census. The town is located along Watts Bar Lake, and Watts Bar Dam and the Watts Bar Nuclear Generating Station are nearby.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
Explore other exciting events happening in this same region.
location_on Pikeville, Tennessee, US
calendar_today Apr 29, 2026
Hand-picked events we think you’ll love.
Nov 21, 2026
The RUN Manatee 5k series offers THREE adventures to celebrate ONE community. Participants will discover Manatee County…
Read more
Nov 28, 2026
Join us for the annual Turkey Trails 5k/10k! A fun, Thanksgiving-themed event that is perfect for the whole family.The…
Read more
Dec 13, 2026
Join us for the annual Candy Cane Course 5k/12k! A fun, Christmas-themed event that is perfect for the whole family.Th…
Read more
Mar 21, 2027
WE ARE NOW OFFERING AN AQUABIKE DIVISION! Triathlon Information:Join us for the annual Space Coast Triathlon, held in …
Read more
