The Butterfly Run

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:
Springbrook Park
1561 Dalton St, Alcoa, TN

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

Check-In/Day of Race Registration and Packet Pick Up:  Springbrook Park Gym, 1561 Dalton St, Alcoa, TN.

Pre-Race Packet Pick Up: March 27th from 5-7 p.m. at Dick's Sporting Goods  -  221 Hamilton Crossing Drive, Alcoa, TN 37701

3K Race Check-In and Pick-Up (7:30 am - 8:15 am)   3K Race Starts at 8:30 am    1 Mile Celebration Walk:  Check-In (8:30 - 9:15)  Walk Starts at 9:30 am  

T-SHIRTS: All runners will receive a quality, cotton/poly blend T-shirt if registered by March 15, 2026. Shirts will be available at the early packet pick up on March 27, 2026 at Dick's Sporting Goods in Alcoa, TN (5-7 pm) and the day of the race at the race venue. Participants who register after March 15, 2026 will receive a shirt as long as supplies last.  Those who do not get their packets at the early packet pick up or on race day, may pick them up at the Friends of TN's Babies office through the month of April.  The event will offer additional shirts for purchase to participants who Register by March 15, 2026. Shirts will not be mailed and will only be available at the early packet pickup at Dick's Sporting Goods on March 27th, at the race venue on March 28th, or the FOT office through the month of April.  

AWARDS/PRIZES:  3K Awards ceremony will be held on site at the Springbrook Park Pavilion immediately following the race at approximately 9:00 a.m.  Awards will be given to the top three m/f finishers overall, top m/f master, grandmaster, and veteran, and the top three m/f finishers in each age group. All 3K runners who do not place and all 1-mile Celebration Walk participants will receive a participation medal.

AGE DIVISIONS: Male/Female: 1-10, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 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:  Non-competitive participants in the 3K race will be asked to allow serious timed runners to be in the front. The use of headsets is not recommended due to traffic on race route.  **Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome for both the 3K and 1-mile Celebration Walk.  Both courses are paved and accessible.

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

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