Green Eyes Gallop

The Legend

Old Green Eyes is a legendary figure said to haunt the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park (locally called the Chickamauga Battlefield). While the descriptions of Green Eyes vary, the one characteristic that defines this cryptid is its bone-chilling bright green eyes that many claim to have seen peeking through the trees. Have you seen Old Green Eyes?

The Race

Ridge & Valley Adventures is excited to present the 2nd Annual Green Eyes Gallop 10K/5K & Monster Mile will take place on October 17th, 2026 at 9:00am. as part of the Green Eyes Festival. This family fun event encourages participants to have fun, be creative, and dress up in costumes. Costumes are of course encouraged but not required. Enjoy a scenic 10k & 5K race through and around downtown Chickamauga and the new Chickamauga Wetlands Trail. The Monster Mile will go from downtown to loop around the Helicopter Park and back. A Green Eyes Swag Bag will be included for all participants. We will have Podium Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Male and Female in the 5k and 10k. Visit our website https://www.ridgeandvalleyadventures.com/home for course maps. 5k/10k- 9am start Monster Mile- 10:15am start Check out the festival website at https://www.greeneyesfestival.com/ One Free Children's Monster Mile Entry with purchase of 5k or 10k race entry! Email [email protected] to get a code after you register for the 5k/10k.

Costume Contest

COSTUME CONTEST RULES Embrace the cryptid traits of being funny looking and fast by donning a costume and lacing up your running shoes! Grab your friends or take it solo. PRIZES + DINING GIFT CERTIFICATES for every category! We will be judging for the following divisions: Individual Costume – costume of only one person Partner Costume – costumes with two people participating Group Costume – 3 or more form a group Kid’s Costume – Group, pair or individual. All must be 12 and under and running the event. Judges will be looking for originality, authenticity, overall theme, and craftsmanship. Being “in character” is always a plus! Rules for participants You must run/walk in your costume the entire race to be eligible for prizes Groups and pairs must come to the judging table together to be judged ·If you are a group or a pair, you must pick a team captain and a team name. We will use this name and the team captain’s race number for judging · You must have a race number visible to be eligible for the contest and keep your race number on for winner announcements You must have been a registered participant and run the race to be eligible for the costume contest ** The 12 and under division is for singles, pairs or groups who are 12 or under (no differentiation among the categories, they will all be judged as one). Someone 12 or under can compete in the adult Partner or Group contest with an older person as a part of their “group” but then cannot compete in the 12 and under division. Any one older than 12 cannot compete in the Kid’s Contest. We will announce winners during our results ceremony from 10:30-10:45. Costume Contest Schedule

The Festival

The Green Eyes Festival is a family-friendly fall festival themed around local folklore of the Northwest GA/Southeast TN area, like the legendary cryptid Old Green Eyes! The festival is free admission and will include Live Music, Craft Vendors & Food, & maybe Live Cryptids.... To learn more about the festival, apply to be a vendor, or get awesome Green Eyes Festival merch, click the link below to visit our website! Green Eyes Festival

GUTS Discount

While this is not a GUTS event, Ridge & Valley Adventures is made up of GUTS members. So, we are offering the same $5 discount to all GUTS members for this race. Use the 2026 discount code that GUTS members are emailed for the discount. Not a member yet? Visit www.getguts.com to join GUTS!