2026 Discovery Dash 5K/10K/1-Mile Fun Run
October 10 @ 6:30 am - 10:30 am
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Looking for the most unusual fall race in the world?
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Lace up for the 2026 Discovery Dash on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Discovery Park of America. This year, experience the 50-acre heritage park in full autumn splendor, complete with crisp fall air and The Settlement transformed into a festive Pumpkin Village.
The route meanders through a man-made river, waterfalls, bridges and other scenic features. No other course lets you dash past a 120-year-old church, an 1800s frontier settlement, a reproduction of an early 19th-century town and a complete vintage train station.
From race-day check-in and pre-race entertainment to the inflatable archway finish line, finisher certificates and winner medals, you won’t want to miss a moment.
5k and 10K Award Categories
Top 3 for each age category:
- 5-8
- 9-12
- 13-19
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60 and over
Top 3 for overall times for 5k and 10k:
- Top 3 male 5k
- Top 3 female 5k
- Top 3 male 10k
- Top 3 female 10k
Schedule:
6:30-7:45 a.m. — Registration
8 a.m. — 10K begins
8:30 a.m. — 5K begins
9 a.m. — 1-mile fun run begins
9:30 a.m. — Awards ceremony
Registration for the 5K and 1-mile fun run before Sept. 15 is $25 and includes a Discovery Dash T-shirt and two complimentary admission tickets to Discovery Park for the day. Beginning Sept. 16, registration increases to $30, and T-shirts will be available while supplies last.
Registration for the 10K before Sept. 15 is $30 and includes a Discovery Dash T-shirt and two complimentary admission tickets to Discovery Park for the day. Beginning Sept. 16, registration increases to $35, and T-shirts will be available while supplies last.
Requested sizes cannot be guaranteed for registrations received on or after Sept. 1.
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Registration Links
[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]1-Mile Fun Run[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]5K[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]10K[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Groups of 10 or more get a $5 discount per person. Simply select Multi-Person Pricing option during registration. If you have any questions, please contact Angela DeMaris at 731-599-1115 or ademaris@discoveryparkofamerica.com.
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Discovery Dash Emcee
West Tennessee ultrarunner Mark Anderson II will serve as emcee for the 2026 Discovery Dash, bringing plenty of energy and encouragement to the starting line and finish line. A McKenzie native, Anderson is the founder of Run Light Collective, a faith-and-fitness community focused on running and personal growth, and serves as media director at Overflow Church. A veteran of 100-mile and 24-hour races, Anderson recently covered more than 103 miles in 24 consecutive hours to raise awareness and support for mental health. Fortunately, Discovery Dash participants will not have to tackle quite that distance. Anderson will be on the mic to keep the energy high and cheer on runners throughout the 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run.
As Mark likes to say: “Life gets heavy. Run light!”
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Click Here to Download the 2026 Discovery Dash Route Map
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The 2026 Discovery Dash is sponsored by Thompson CAT Machinery, Higher Ground Coffee Company, Vantage Coffee Roasters, Martin Running Company and Sonic.
Stay up-to-date on everything happening at Discovery Park by subscribing to our DiscoverMORE e-newsletter and following us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]
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