RetroWeekend in Pigeon Forge | April 29–30

Looking for a unique way to have some fun in Pigeon Forge this year? Why not dust off your old albums, get out your running shoes, and get ready for RetroWeekend at the end of April? RetroWeekend is a Pigeon Forge event that’s been 12 years in the making. The dream of RetroWeekend founder and executive director, Steven Hall, this weekend combines the music and culture of the 60s, 70s, and 80s with the modern craze for health and wellness. At the event, you and your guests will enjoy opportunities to learn, compete, dance, and run—all for a great cause!

The Race
Date/Time: April 30, 2016 (runners should arrive to LeConte Hall by 6 a.m.)
Distance: 5 miles, 916 yards
Start/Finish Location: Pigeon Forge LeConte Convention Center

The RetroRunning Weekend Race is the only one of its kind in the country. What makes it unique? First, they’ve come up with a racing format called “Progressional Start,” meaning you’ll be racing against only the people in your age bracket—not against every runner who shows up.

The race is also unique because of its distance. Not a 5K or a 10K, the RetroRunning Weekend Race is actually a 5-mile-and-916-yard race. Why the strange number? Because the founders of this race want to give you the opportunity to break a world record! That’s right—when you run the RetroRunning Weekend Race in April, it will be the first time the world has seen that particular racing distance. So at the end of the day, among other goodies, you’ll receive a certificate acknowledging your record-breaking run!

You can still register online for the RetroRunning Weekend Race by visiting the Registration page of their website. Registration fees will increase in April, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible! You can pick up your race packet the day before the race (April 29, 2016) when the RetroWeekend Expo opens at 12 p.m. The expo will be located at the LeConte Event Center in Pigeon Forge.

The Weekend
What’s cool about RetroWeekend in Pigeon Forge is there’s so much more to this weekend than a single race! Other exciting events on the agenda for RetroWeekend include:

  • Health and wellness workshops
  • Dance lessons featuring swing, shag, and 2-step
  • Live music
  • Noteworthy speakers

So even if running isn’t your thing, you can still find plenty to enjoy at RetroWeekend in April. The weekend is all about contributing to your overall mental and physical wellness, but it’s also about having fun! Enjoy live music from an upbeat dance band from Nashville, Tennessee, known as Top Tier. Enjoy North America’s No. 1 tribute band, Woodie and the Longboards, all the way from Riverside, California.

You’ll also have the opportunity to hear from well-known TV host and veteran travel journalist Rudy Maxa. And Lee Ellis (www.LeadingWithHonor.com) will offer a special “Tribute to Our Veterans” on Friday afternoon.

Keynote Speaker: Olympian Jeff Galloway
The keynote speaker for RetroWeekend in Pigeon Forge is none other than Olympian runner Jeff Galloway. Recognized by USA Running as the “most recognized personality in running,” Galloway will provide running workshops at the event, sharing the secrets that have made him the nation’s leading running coach and author. Back in the day, Galloway ran with world-famous athletes like Steve Prefontaine and Bill Rodgers. Don’t miss your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear this man speak at RetroWeekend this April!

For a Good Cause
RetroWeekend is sure to be a fun time with friends and family whether you run the race, attend the workshops, hear the lectures, or do all three. But what’s even better about this weekend is that by attending, you’ll not only be having a great time but you’ll be supporting some great causes! You can have fun and feel great about doing it when you realize that proceeds from RetroWeekend will support these local charities:

Imagination Library—In 1995, Dolly Parton launched a campaign to get books in the hands of children all over her home state of Tennessee. The effort continues today, mailing high quality, age-appropriate books to children regardless of their family’s income.

Friends of the Smokies—The beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park benefits from the efforts and funds provided by this hometown charity. Raising more than $47 million since 1993, Friends of the Smokies focuses on historic preservation, wildlife management, environmental education, and trail rehabilitation.

Second Harvest—While many of us don’t think twice about what we’ll eat for supper, other families struggle to put even a little food on the table. Second Harvest works to help those families struggling with poverty by providing food and grocery products in 18 counties across Tennessee.

These are just a few of the charities benefited by your contributions to RetroWeekend. Others include Remote Area Medical, Wears Valley Ranch, ADFAC, Discover Life in America, Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, Pigeon Forge High School, Veterans Military Honor Guard of Pigeon Forge, and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. For more information about these, click here.

RetroFacts at a Glance
When: April 29–30, 2016
Where: The LeConte Event Center in Pigeon Forge
What: Health Expo, Dance Event, and Race
Website: https://goretrorunning.com

Where to Stay
If you’re planning your retro getaway and need a place to call home, be sure to check out our Pigeon Forge cabins. They’ll keep you close to the event (and the other attractions of downtown), and they’ll offer the amenities you want for comfort, relaxation, convenience, and fun.