The Butterfly Run

Race Overview

This year, the 15th annual Butterfly Run will be staged to help some of East Tennessee’s biggest miracles by partnering with Friends of Tennessee’s Babies with Special Needs (our third Butterfly Run). The Butterfly Fund family is honored to be working alongside this wonderful organization again this year to continue the event so many of you have supported for the past 14 years. This year, we will again stage our event in the beautiful foothills of Maryville on March 28, 2026. Proceeds will go to support Friends of Tennessee’s Babies with Special Needs. This incredible organization works to enhance the potential of infants and young children with disabilities by offering support to their families and the early intervention professionals who serve them.

We are incredibly excited to invite you to mark your calendar for March the 28th to join us for FOT Babies' third annual Butterfly Run. Every mile completed, and every dollar raised means over 3,500 Tennessee children with special needs and their families will receive the support, resources and encouragement they need. More details about this year’s event will be coming soon. We look forward to joining you to celebrate and support East Tennessee’s babies with special needs!

Location

• Venue: Springbrook Park
• Address: 1561 Dalton St, Alcoa, TN

Description

• Events: 3K and 1 Mile Celebration Walk
• Certification: 3K is USATF certified and eligible for Tennessee state records.

Check-In and Registration

• Location: Springbrook Park Gym, 1561 Dalton St, Alcoa, TN.
• Pre-Race Packet Pick Up: March 26th from 5-7 p.m. at Dick's Sporting Goods - 221 Hamilton Crossing Drive, Alcoa, TN 37701
• 3K Check-In: 7:30 am - 8:15 am
• 3K Race Start: 8:30 am

1 Mile Celebration Walk

• Check-In: 8:30 - 9:15
• Walk Start: 9:30 am

T-Shirts

• Eligibility: All runners will receive a quality, cotton/poly blend T-shirt if registered by March 15, 2026.
• Distribution: Shirts will be available at early packet pick up on March 27, 2026, and the day of the race.
• Late Registration: Participants who register after March 15, 2026, will receive a shirt as long as supplies last.
• Additional Purchases: Additional shirts will be available for purchase for participants who register by March 15, 2026.

Awards and Prizes

• Ceremony Time: 3K Awards ceremony will be held on site at around 9:00 a.m.
• Awards: Top three m/f finishers, top m/f master, grandmaster, and veteran, and top three m/f finishers in each age group.
• Participation Medal: All 3K runners who do not place and all 1-mile Celebration Walk participants will receive a participation medal.

Age Divisions

• Categories: 1-10, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+.
• Overall: Male and Female.
• Masters: Male and Female (40 and older).
• Grandmaster: Male and Female (50 and older).
• Veteran: Male and Female (60 and older).

General Information

• Course Etiquette: Non-competitive participants in the 3K race will be asked to allow serious timed runners to be in the front.
• Headsets: The use of headsets is not recommended due to traffic on race route.
• Accessibility: Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome for both the 3K and 1-mile Celebration Walk.
• Course Type: Both courses are paved and accessible.

Refreshments

• Availability: Pre/Post-race refreshments will be available before and after the race for all registered participants.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this race, please contact Friends of TN's Babies with Special Needs at www.helpingbabies.org

More Information

For more details, please visit the race page: The Butterfly Run.