PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONUS / RACE GUIDE
Bell Ringer Trail Run race video

Bell Ringer Trail Run

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

USDec 12, 202650km
YouTube · Tennessee State Parks
Race date in 64 days
Dec 12, 2026 Sat
City · Distance
Montgomery Bell State Park · 50km
Entry fee
$125Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenTBD ~ Thu, December 10, 2026See how to enter ↗
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Bell Ringer Trail Run — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

Held on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, Tennessee.

Runners cover more than 31 miles on one of the top trails near Nashville.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Bell Ringer Trail Run runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 1
Shana ThorntonRan in 2018
“I was renewed. I set my sights on a 50-mile race in May.”

Shanna Thornton moved beyond her previous DNF point at the 2018 Bell Ringer 50km, easing her anxiety. She crossed finish alongside a runner who had helped her through the tough stretches, then rang the finisher's bell several times.

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Wild SideTV- Montgomery Bell State Park - Bell Ringer Trail Run

Tennessee State Parks

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Bell Ringer Trail Run — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Bell Ringer Trail Run course map and elevation

The 50km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 07:00
EventStart
Ultra07:00
Other15km08:00
Other25km07:30
START

Montgomery Bell State Park, TN

Start · Google Maps
FINISH

Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center, 1000 Hotel Ave

Finish · Google Maps
Show more

Events are the 50K, 25K, and 15K.

The start takes place at Montgomery Bell State Park, TN, at 7:00 AM local time.

The finish point is Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center, 1000 Hotel Ave.

Typical race-season temperature: around 4°C (40°F)
Long sleeves + a throwaway layer for the start

Participant benefits

Aid stations

50K

Finisher medal

50K

Event T-shirt

50K

Where and when to collect your Bell Ringer Trail Run race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

Pick up your bib at the expo

Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center, afternoon the day before & 05:30–08:00 on race day

Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center, 1000 Hotel Ave

Stations & transport near the venue

  • Getting to the startNo public transit serves Burns, TN or Montgomery Bell State Park; nearest transit access is in Nashville,…
  • IC cardMontgomery Bell State Park is a rural venue about 40 miles west of Nashville; there is no dedicated transit…

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

No public transit serves Burns, TN or Montgomery Bell State Park; nearest transit access is in Nashville, roughly 35 miles east.

Start/finish is at Montgomery Bell State Park, Burns, TN. Race begins with the ringing of the park's historic bell.

Rural Tennessee state park, car access only, no public transit.

Getting to the finish

Same as start.

Aid stations every 5-6 miles; cupless race — bring your own hydration.

Start shuttle

None mentioned.

IC card

Montgomery Bell State Park is a rural venue about 40 miles west of Nashville; there is no dedicated transit card system here. Nashville's WeGo Public Transit (QuickTicket reloadable card, contactless bank card tap-to-pay accepted on buses) serves the city itself, but does not reach the park, so a rental car or rideshare is required for race day.

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The Bell Ringer Trail Run uses the Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center as its base camp.

Bib pickup takes place on-site at the Conference Center in two windows —

the afternoon before the race (roughly 4:00-8:00 PM) and early morning on race day (roughly 5:30-8:00 AM) —

and since registration is difficult after the same-day cutoff, it's best to arrive no later than 8:00 AM.

As an ultra event of over 31 miles on one of the top trail networks near Nashville,

it is especially popular among local runners looking to complete an ultra nearby while enjoying the natural scenery of a Tennessee state park.

Times are local to Montgomery Bell State Park. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Nashville|Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service from Nashville International Airport

$82

View on Klook

Time for you, before and after the finish

View all →

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Nashville|Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service from Nashville International Airport

$82

View on Klook

Nashville car rental (Qeeq)

Compare budget-friendly rental cars with a free-cancellation option (check the price when booking) · Check price and book

View on Qeeq

Nashville Airport Pickup (Welcome)

Local driver pick-up, flight delay monitoring included (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Book after checking price

View on Welcome Pickups

Where runners eat in Montgomery Bell State Park

Eating well is part of the trip

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A meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.

What to see in Montgomery Bell State Park after the race

Seeing Montgomery Bell State Park with the medal on

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The city you ran — this time, a little slower.

Total cost and budget for Bell Ringer Trail Run

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Bell Ringer Trail Run

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Montgomery Bell State Park runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Bell Ringer Trail Run

FAQ
When does Bell Ringer Trail Run 2026 take place?

It takes place on Sat, December 12, 2026 in Montgomery Bell State Park, TN, United States.

How much is the Bell Ringer Trail Run 2026 entry fee?

The main event costs $125.

What distances does Bell Ringer Trail Run 2026 offer?

Ultra.

What time does Bell Ringer Trail Run 2026 start?

The race starts at 07:00.

Where does Bell Ringer Trail Run 2026 start?

Montgomery Bell State Park, TN.

Where does Bell Ringer Trail Run 2026 finish?

Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center, 1000 Hotel Ave.

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