True Hero Veterans 5k

True Hero Veterans 5k takes place in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, on November 14, 2026. Now in its seventh year, the race is a single 5K (3.1 miles) starting at 9:00 AM, with Personal Best Racing involved in putting it on. The name makes the purpose plain: a run held in honor of veterans, a few days after Veterans Day.

A small-town 5K like this is ideal for runners who want a low-key race to close out the season, or for locals lacing up for the first time. If you are new to the distance, six to eight weeks of short runs, three times a week, building to 30 minutes without stopping, is all it takes. Regular runners can race it as a hard tempo effort and still be fresh for a weekend long run. Bring something warm for before and after, and keep your warm-up jog easy so you save your best miles for the race itself rather than the warm-up.