BEGIN THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH 12TH ANNUAL LIGHT THE WAY 5K NOV. 8 AT DOLLYWOOD

The magical spirit of Dollywood during the holiday season is unmatched. Returning for its 12^th installment, the annual Light the Way 5K is the perfect way to get into a festive mood. This certified race takes participants through the grounds of Dollywood on a remarkable course illuminated by 6 million sensational Christmas lights. The race begins at 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8; the Knoxville Track Club is facilitating the event again this year.

Incorporating feedback from previous racers, this year’s 5K offers a new and improved course. The race will start at the Dollywood toll booths, offering a flat surface in the parking lot for the first one-third of the race. Runners then will enter the park and run through many of the 6 million dazzling lights and festive scenery of the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. The end of the race marks a breathtaking and picturesque finish, as runners will cross the finish line in the brand-new Dolly Parton Experience area.

Proceeds from the event benefit Keep Sevier Beautiful (KSB) and the Share it Forward (SIF) program. KSB, 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. KSB’s intention is to protect the natural beauty of the area that millions of visitors come to see each year. SIF is a nonprofit organization that serves Dollywood Company employees and their families through a variety of assistance programs. SIF programming is funded primarily through fundraising activities and employee donations, which are matched dollar for dollar by The Dollywood Company.

“It’s so exciting to be hosting runners at the Light the Way 5K for a 12^th year and for us to continue our partnership with the Knoxville Track Club to make this event even brighter. 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 Kevin Kipfer, Executive Director for Share It Forward. “Just as importantly, this event helps provide our non-profit organizations with much-needed financial assistance just before the holidays,” added Lisa Bryant, Executive Director of Keep Sevier Beautiful.

This race will be certified and chip-timed by the Knoxville Track Club, who will work with the event team to provide racers with an unforgettable experience. Medals will be distributed at the finish line for every participant in Light the Way 5K. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers for both men and women and all age groups.