It’s the Yamacraw Run

 

McCreary County will put out the welcome mat as hundreds of visitors descend upon its portion of the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area to race in the second annual Yamacraw Trail Run.  With all three scheduled races sold out, this year’s Yamacraw Run has doubled capacity from the 2015 inaugural event.

According to race organizer Brian Gajus of Ultranaut Running based in Knoxville, TN, approximately 460 racers from across the nation and Canada are registered to run the Yamacraw this Saturday.  Registered racers include those from Florida, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Maryland, and elsewhere.  In addition to a 50K (32.2 miles) point-to-point race beginning at the Lick Creek Falls Trailhead, meandering under Yahoo Falls, and ultimately ending at the Blue Heron Mining Tipple, the Yamacraw event also offers a 10K and a 20K race.

Runners will be in McCreary County on Friday, April 8 for registration at the event headquarters based at the Stearns Depot.  According to McCreary County Tourism Director Adam Phillips, the economic impact of this weekend should be significant.

In addition to all of Barthell’s cabins being booked, Phillips noted about sixty rooms are booked at the Big South Fork Motor Lodge and the Red Roof Inn for the weekend.  Most of the reservations are racers.

“With the Yamacraw Run adding a 20k leg of the race this year, and adding more racer slots, this event is big for McCreary County,” Phillips stated.  “Not only will we see hundreds of visitors in our community this weekend, but it also has the potential to encourage return visits.  The tourism and economic impact of this, and other events, is significant.”

The 50K race will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, earlier this year in an effort to draw runners and visitors to the county for a weekend experience.  A post-race event will be held at the Stearns Heritage Hall on Saturday night with a Waffle Breakfast at Kristina’s Kitchen in Whitley City on Sunday.