Upper Cumberland Haunted Half

Nestled in the scenic foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the enchanting small city of Cookeville in eastern Tennessee hosts a captivating Halloween-themed race. This event invites runners and walkers to embark on a thrilling loop course that begins on the picturesque campus of Tennessee Tech University. Starting near the intersection of North Dixie Avenue and B Street, participants venture southward on a journey that traces a clockwise loop. The course meanders through Cookeville’s bustling downtown and extends into the charming rural outskirts.The initial miles lead runners through vibrant city streets and past bustling retail shops before transitioning into serene residential neighborhoods. The Haunted Half race warmly welcomes both runners and walkers, challenging participants to reach the finish line within 3.5 hours, which requires maintaining a pace of 16 minutes per mile or better.

For those seeking a shared experience, the race also offers a three-person relay event. This consists of a 4-mile first leg, a 4.7-mile second leg, and culminates with a 4.4-mile third leg. Participation is open to individuals 12 years and older for the half marathon, and 10 years and older for the accompanying 5k.

Situated along the Upper Cumberland Plateau, Cookeville is ideally located about 80 miles east of Nashville and approximately 100 miles northwest of Knoxville. The city enjoys mild to moderately warm weather during this time, with October being its driest month, averaging just over 3.4 inches of rain. The climate offers pleasant conditions for race participants, with typical temperatures ranging from an average low of 42ºF to a high of 69ºF.