It was a wonderful day for a race. With the sun shining on participants from as far away as Kenya, they came to run for a cause. The Sixth Annual Louise Mandrell Smoky Mountain Run for Boy Scouts was held Saturday, July 26th.
The event kicked off around 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Mandrell was on hand to get the race started and to congratulate participants as they crossed the finish line.
“This is our sixth year and I’m having so much fun living here. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long,” stated Mandrell. Mandrell has been active with the Boy Scouts at the national level in Nashville and has helped bring in over $1 million over the years for the Scouts.
Mandrell, along with assistant Sande Weiss have been working hard to make the race a great fundraising event in East Tennessee. “The best thing I ever did for this county was bring her here,” said Mandrell, referring to Weiss. “She has helped with so many community events.
Weiss says its Mandrell who works hard. “When she puts her name on something she is actively involved,” said Weiss. “She [Mandrell] is here at the beginning and she’s here at the end.”
Weiss said her husband thought of the idea for the Boy Scout race. “We got Elvis Ferde, who ran in the Olympics, to help us understand what was involved in putting a run on and what it was all about,” said Weiss. “Louise then came up with some great ideas to make this not only a race but an event.”
$10,000 in prize winnings was handed out at the conclusion of the 5K race. The categories for winners were Overall Male, Female, and Masters, who each received $750. Prize money was awarded to the top three finishers in each age group with the first place winners taking home $100 each.
Bob Brown Asst. Scoutmaster of Troop 86 – Logans Chapel in Maryville said, “This is my second year participating and it’s lots of fun. Alan Reihl with troop 484- St. Johns – in Maryville said, “It’s an event. Like going to the dance! The scouts are here to help out, pass out water and clean up the garbage after everyone leaves. It’s all for a great time.”
The winning racer was Jared Segrera from Kenya with a time of 14 minutes 20 seconds. They (a group of racers of Kenya) come every year,” said Mandrell. “I can’t even imagine their speed and pace.”
Lunch was provided by Buddy’s BBQ. There was live music by the Louise Mandrell band, a moonwalk and obstacle course provided by A&A Party Rentals and door prizes from over 100 area businesses. There was also a silent auction that featured vacation packages, prints from local artists and gifts.
Mandrell said that they have people of all ages who participate in the race. “We have one man who is 82 who comes back every year. And there, (pointing to a father and daughter) is a family team. It’s so cool to see families run together.”
The event so far as raised over $65,000 in the six years since its inception not including this year’s figure of $20,000.
Mandrell said she’s been very busy recently which makes it harder to do everything she would like but she adds, “You find time for things you believe in.”

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