Trash Panda, An Awesomesauce Event presented by Run Chattanooga

🐾 Race Overview

What’s a trash panda? It’s a fun term for a raccoon...because they sort of look like giant pandas (in their coloring) and they sort of look like red pandas (which sort of look like raccoons) and also, they like to dig through the trash. It’s also the slightly-bratty-but-still-kinda-cute little sister race to our perennial powerhouse, the spring Raccoon Mountain races.

🗺️ Start/Finish Location

START/FINISH: Laurel Point on Raccoon Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee

🎁 Swag Details

• Swag Variety: There will be swag. With the volatility in the marketplace right now, we’re not entirely sure what that swag will be, but there will be swag and it’s ALWAYS good swag: it’s one of those things we’re known for. We also always have alternative options if the swag item is something you’re just going to toss in the trash.
• Unique Medal: Laser burned wooden finisher medal. Produced by a real, live, actual Tennessean. Maybe that Tennessean will dress up like a raccoon to burn them.
• Personalization: Because we discontinued our Spring Raccoon Mountain race, and our favorite part of that race was the medals with your name on them, we’re bringing that to this race. You MUST be registered by August 13th to guarantee your personalized medal.
• Aid Stations: The most stocked up aid stations you’ve ever encountered. We won’t even make you root around in a trash can for any of it. It’s fresh!

🏃‍♀️ Course Details

We will be using only the trails that connect to Laurel Point. The loop is a little bit more than 3.1-ish miles long. The 5K is a little longer than 3.1 miles, which is why it is a 5-ish K. The trail is technical in that there are roots and rocks, but it’s not particularly difficult. There are no water crossings.

💧 Aid Stations

There will be one gigantic aid station that you’ll pass on each lap. At the aid station will be Gatorade, water, Coke, Mountain Dew, energy gels, a variety of chips, candy, and cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pickles and pickle juice shots, and a full array of non-food supplies like Vaseline, salt pills, etc.

🪑 Drop Bags

You are welcome to leave a drop bag at the designated area near the aid station. Feel free to bring a chair to put your drop bag on, a full change of clothes, your teddy bear, whatever you think you’ll need to make it through your chosen race distance.

🤝 Support Crew

Our crew is also known for their unparalleled support. We’ll get you to the finish line if you let us help you! We’re here to help you, just like we’ve helped thousands of people before you, and we consider you family.

📅 Packet Pickup

Saturday, September 13, 2025, 7:30am - 8:25am at Laurel Point on Raccoon Mountain. We might do a "quick and dirty" packet pickup on Friday night. Depends on how big the race gets.

⚠️ Important Notes

This is NOT a slick, corporate, super-professionally produced race. We cater to the non-competitive, fun-loving runners of the world. If you want to have a good time in an atmosphere that is more 'giant group run' and less 'super professional NYC marathon'-type thing, we’d love to invite you to join us! If you’re only worried about running super fast and not about enjoying your experience, this is NOT the race for you.

🔗 Learn More

For more information, visit the race website: Trash Panda Race.