Eat, drink and be merry – and active

Carol EvansOur Town Outdoors

Even with cool temps, there are always fun options to enjoy playing outside. Here’s the Outdoor Knoxville event calendar for the upcoming week.

Friday, Nov. 30

Campfire Cooking: 12 p.m., Panther Creek State Park at Upper Campground Shelter. Cost $5. Info: Panther Creek State Park at 423-587-7046. Join Ranger Jammie as we learn how to make some tasty treats and savory eats. We will look at what size Dutch oven to start with and discuss a few different methods of campfire cooking. Register online.

RunLoCo Marathon Pasta Dinner: 5 p.m., The Venue in Lenoir City. Info: Run LoCo. Pre-race pasta dinner with our special guest speaker, the one and only John Kelly, the last person to complete the Barkley Marathon, the race that eats its young! Register online.

Ijams Out and About: Night Hike: 6 p.m., Founders Park Pavilion at Campbell Station. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717, ext. 110. (All Ages) The world changes at night. Together we will step out into the night to interpret its sounds, smells and sights. The fee for this program is $4 for individuals and $10 for families (up to two adults and any children under 18 years of age). Register online.

Friday Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Pour Taproom. Free. 865 Running. Run 3 miles downtown, World’s Fair Park and river walk. Then drinks with 10 percent off! All levels welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 1

Dayhike, Point Lookout Loop hike, Panther Creek State Park: Must preregister with Denise Bivens at denisebivens@gmail.com for meeting time and location. Free. Info: Harvey Broome Sierra Club. This 5.1-mile hike is a vista-laden trek with multiple views of Cherokee Lake from shoreline & hilltops, including the Smallman Overlook. Rated Moderate.

Run LoCo Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K: 8 a.m., Loudon County Courthouse. Info: Run LoCo. Lace up your running shoes and join us. Proceeds benefit programs served by the Loudon County Education Foundation. Details and registration online.

Saturday Group Run: 8 a.m., Runners Market Bearden. Free. Info: Runners Market at 865-588-1650. Join us for a relaxed-pace run of 3 to 5.5 miles along the Third Creek and Sequoyah Hills greenways. Afterward, enjoy coffee and refreshments.

Hike Chestnut Top: 8 a.m., Alcoa Food City or at trailhead at Townsend “Y” at 8:30 a.m. Free. Info: Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. Leaders: Eric Keller eric.keller@live.com and Diane Petrilla petrillad@gmail.com. We will be joined by Carter Hall with The Wilderness Society who will give updates on the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a critical conservation program that has greatly benefited the Smokies. Hike is 8.4 miles. Rated Moderate.

Bike Zoo Saturday Ride: 9 a.m., Bike Zoo. Free. Info: Bike Zoo at 865-558-8455. Three-hour ride of 50+ miles at a fast pace of 18/20 mph. Weather permitting!

Haw Ridge Work Day: 9 a.m., Haw Ridge Park (park at east end and meet at greenway crossing point). Free. Info: Clinch Valley Trail Alliance. We’ve got several great projects that need to be wrapped up within the park before we shift focus to a new skills park and pump track. Tools provided; bring gloves. We provide lunch!

Winter Trail Run Series #1: 9:30 a.m., Meads Quarry at Ijams Nature Center. Free. Info: KyBRa Athletics at 865-999-3126. Join us for a fun group run. There will be multiple groups on the trail, so whether you’re a seasoned ultra-runner or brand new to the sport, we’ll have a crew for you.

Catalyst Climb: 10 a.m., River Sports Outfitters. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. The first Saturday of every month we are climbing with Catalyst Sports! This event is for anyone with physical disabilities. All ages are welcome to come and climb our rock wall!

Coffee and Climb with a Ranger: 10 a.m., Obed Wild & Scenic River. Free. Info: Obed Wild & Scenic River at 423-346-6294. Join National Park Service rangers for a free cup of coffee and Q&A about climbing. Then we’ll head over to the climbing area. We provide all of the gear. All you need to bring is drinking water; wear sturdy footwear. Details online.

Guided Trail Walk: 10:30 a.m., Ijams Nature Center. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717, ext. 110. Each walk is guided by a naturalist who can answer your questions about what you are seeing, ongoing projects, future programs and more. This is a FREE program with a recommended $5 donation. No registration necessary.

Self-Defense Seminar: 12:30 p.m., Knoxville Martial Arts Center. Cost $15. Info: 865 Running. Come join kickboxing instructor Justin Campbell as he demonstrates methods of self-defense. We can all benefit from learning and hopefully we’ll never need to apply the lessons.

Sunday, Dec. 2

Intro to Climbing: 1 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. Learn the basics of top rope belaying, knot tying and climbing technique in this hands-on class. Designed for those with no previous climbing experience, this course teaches the necessary skills required to climb independently.

Reindeer Run 5K Road Race & 1-mile Fun Run/Walk: 2 p.m., Maryville Municipal Building. Info: Maryville Parks & Rec at 865-983-9244. Race is a 5K (3.1 miles) road race and 1-mile fun run/walk in Alcoa. A portion of the proceeds benefits Blount County’s Area 15 Special Olympics. Register online.

Yoga for Climbers: 7 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Cost $8. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Join us for yoga every Sunday. Participants will receive a 20 percent off PrAna & Lole card.

Monday, Dec. 3

KTC Group Run: 6 p.m., Balter Beerworks. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Monday evening social pace group run; afterward, stick around for a discounted beer.

South Knox Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Alliance Brewing Company. Free. 865 Running. Social pace 3ish-mile run; come back for $1 beers. All levels are welcome.

Bearden Beer Market Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Bearden Beer Market. Free. Info: Bearden Beer Market at 865-851-8922. Group Fun Run through the neighborhood. Open to all levels of walkers and runners followed by $1 off all pints.

Group Run Alcoa/Maryville Greenway: 6:30 p.m., Bike N’Tri in Maryville. Free. Info: Bike N’Tri at 615-944-1729. Group run on the Alcoa/Maryville Greenway. All levels welcome.

Ladies Night at the Climbing Center: 7-10 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Cost $12. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. First Monday of each month is Ladies Night. Come enjoy a fun night at the gym! It’s only $12 for a pass and gear rental.

Tuesday, Dec. 4

Tuesday B Group Ride: 10 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. B Group is a “No Drop” ride (15-18 mph) 35-45 miles. Must have general skills to ride roads with car traffic. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.

Tuesday A Group Ride: 10:30 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. A Group rides 40+ miles at 20+ average pace. This group is for advanced riders with good pace line skills. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.

Intro to Climbing: 6 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. Learn the basics of top rope belaying, knot tying, and climbing technique in this hands-on class. Designed for those with no previous climbing experience, this course teaches the necessary skills required to climb independently.

Wednesday, Dec. 5

KTC Group Run: 5:30 p.m., Runners Market Bearden. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Wednesday evening social pace group run. All paces welcome. Distance options vary. Grab a beer with some good folks afterward!

Night Gravel Grinder Ride: 6:30 p.m., North Boundary Trails. Free. Info: Knoxville Bicycle Company at 865-240-3499. Very casual pace about 11 miles, just for fun! Bring your Cross, Gravel or MTB. Two levels of riding, “A” and “B.” Bring lights! Regroups as necessary.

KTOS Monthly Meeting: 6:45 p.m., UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Room 118. Free. Info: Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. Come enjoy longtime KTOS member and Knoxville birder and outdoorsman Bob Collier and learn about his new book, “Wonderful Weeds and Various Varmints.” The book is a collection of many of Bob’s “Nature Notes” published in the Shopper News.

Thursday, Dec. 6

A & B Group Ride: 10 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. A Group ride is usually a 40+ miles at 20+ average pace. This group is for advanced riders with good pace line skills. B Group ride is a “No Drop” ride (15-18 mph) 35-45 miles. Must have general skills to ride roads with car traffic. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.

Trailside Bike Repair Workshop: 6 p.m., REI Knoxville. Cost: member $25/non-member $45. Info: REI Knoxville at 865-584-1938. Join REI’s expert bike techs for a hands-on workshop addressing the most common trailside issues – busted chains, noisy drivetrains and broken spokes. There will be plenty of get-your-hands-dirty practicing. Bring your own bike or practice on one of ours. Preregister online.

North Knox Beer Runners: 6 p.m., Central Flats and Taps. Free. Info: North Knox Beer Runners. Fun and easy run through North Knox and Happy Holler. Don’t forget lights and reflective gear.

Fleet Feet Sports Open Group Run/Walk: 6 p.m., Fleet Feet Sports. Free. Info: Fleet Feet Sports at 865-675-3338. Our 30-60-minute route varies week by week in the various neighborhoods and greenways around the store. All levels welcome.

Night Trail Ride: 6 p.m., Check Facebook for meeting location. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. Social pace ride on Beginner Plus/Intermediate cross-country terrain with roots, rocks and challenging climbs. Ride subject to cancellation or change in location due to wet trail conditions. Must have lights.

Friday, Dec. 7

Friday Fitness with Missy Kane: 9:15 a.m., Lenoir Museum in Norris. Free. Info: Covenant Health at 865-541-4500. Join Missy on the first Friday of each month for a 3-to-7-mile hike (various trail locations), moderate but not beginner. Register by calling Covenant Call Center at 865-541-4500 or emailing callcenter@covhlth.com.

Glenn Cardwell Heritage Museum Tour & Hike: 10 a.m., Glenn Cardwell Heritage Museum. Info: Great Smoky Mountains Association at 865-436-7318, ext. 349. Join this wintertime adventure to learn more about Glenn, the wild areas he studied and the deep history of the Big Greenbrier area. Rated Moderate; 3-5 miles max. Register online.

Sunset Stroll Winter Whereabouts: 5 p.m., Ijams Nature Center. Info: Ijams Nature Center or 865-577-4717, ext. 110. Enjoy an evening walk along paved and manicured trails to look for wildlife as the sun sets. You’re welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy dinner on the lawn prior to the hike. No pets. Register online.

Friday Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Pour Taproom. Free. 865 Running. Run 3 miles downtown, World’s Fair Park and river walk. Then drinks with 10 percent off! All levels welcome.

Saturday, Dec. 8

Jingle Bell Run 5K: 7:30 a.m., World’s Fair Park. Info: Arthritis Foundation at 714-402-9448. Put on your favorite holiday costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. 100 percent of your registration fee and fundraising efforts go to conquering arthritis.

Forks of the River Loop Hike: Must preregister with Ron Shrieves at ronshrieves@gmail.com for meeting time and location. Free. Info: Harvey Broome Sierra Club. Urban hike is a 6.1-mile loop hike within the Forks of the River WMA, part of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Start at the McClure Lane parking lot. Rated Moderate.

Bike Zoo Saturday Ride: 9 a.m., Bike Zoo. Free. Info: Bike Zoo at 865-558-8455. Three-hour ride of 50+ miles at a fast pace of 18/20 mph. Weather permitting!

Climbing Scout Badge Clinic: 9-12 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Cost $30. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Scouts can complete the requirements for their Climbing Merit Badge on the second Saturday of every month.

Loyston Point Scramble and Ramble: 11 a.m., Loyston Point Trails. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Kids race at 10:30 am. Multisport event with three options: Trail Run Only, Trail Run/Mountain Bike Individual or Trail Run/Mountain Bike Relay. Details and registration online.

CVTA Trail Elves at the Oak Ridge Christmas Parade: 5:15 p.m., SAIC-Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Free. Info: Clinch Valley Trail Alliance. Calling all trail elves (mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers and CVTA members) to join us at the Oak Ridge Christmas parade for an evening of fun, laughter and a little community exposure for CVTA! Best Elf Costume/Decorated Bike wins a prize!

Bike Zoo/SCO Christmas Party: 6-9 p.m., Bike Zoo. Free. Info: Bike Zoo at 865-558-8455. Join the Bike Zoo and Southern Cycling Operations for our annual Christmas Party. Our special guest, current USA Cycling National Road Race Champion Johnny Brown, will be signing autographs from 6:30 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 9

Hike House Mountain: 9:30 a.m., Comcast parking area or House Mountain trailhead at 10 a.m. Free. Info: Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. Leader: Brad Reese, bradktn@gmail.com. Please join us for a pleasant hike to the top of the highest point in Knox County. Hike is approximately five miles, rated Moderate, but trail is steep, rocky and can be muddy at times. Carpooling is encouraged.

Intro to Climbing: 1 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. Learn the basics of top rope belaying, knot tying and climbing technique in this hands-on class. Designed for those with no previous climbing experience, this course teaches the necessary skills required to climb independently.

The Leftover Run: 2 p.m., Tyson Park. Cost $5. Info: Knoxville Track Club. This is a social event and not a timed event. No-frills event and no post-race food, so please bring your own. Course is roughly 5k and will run out and back on the greenway. Bring a bag filled with all the leftover T-shirts and awards that you’ve won. Any leftovers will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley.

Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K: 3 p.m., Pride & Joy Children’s Academy. Info: Will Run for Food 5K. Don your ugliest sweater – the more jingles, sparkles and hot glue the better – and come on out to run/walk/race for prizes AND to love your community. ALL proceeds will be going to Second Harvest Food for Kids! Details online.

Appalachian Mountain Bike Club Holiday Soiree: 6-10 p.m., Suttree’s High Gravity Tavern. Free. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Gather with your mountain biking family for a HOLLY JOLLY good time! Finish (or start!) your holiday shopping at the AMBC Merch table! HO HO HO!

Yoga for Climbers: 7 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Cost: $8. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Join us for yoga every Sunday. Participants will receive a 20 percent off PrAna & Lole card.

 

Visit us online at OutdoorKnoxville.com

Add your event to our calendar: Submit An Event Formhttps://www.outdoorknoxville.com/calendar/submit-event

 

 

 

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