The road to your own record
Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.
THE DREAM
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.
Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.
Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.
Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.
From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.
“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.
Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.
Tennessee State Parks
This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.
YOUR ENTRY
Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.
subject to change — verify officially
Organizer's pagesubject to change — verify officially
Organizer's pagesubject to change — verify officially
Organizer's pageRACE WEEK
Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.
| Event | Start |
|---|---|
| Ultra | 07:00 |
| Other15km | 08:00 |
| Other25km | 07:30 |
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.
50K
50K
50K
Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.
Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center, afternoon the day before & 05:30–08:00 on race day
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.
Same as start.
Aid stations every 5-6 miles; cupless race — bring your own hydration.
None mentioned.
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.
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.
STAY A LITTLE
From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.
$82
View on Klook$17
View on Klook$48
View on Klook$30
View on GetYourGuide$107
View on GetYourGuide$57
View on Klook$154
View on GetYourGuideRest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.
$82
View on Klook$30
View on GetYourGuide$154
View on GetYourGuide$62
View on GetYourGuide$72
View on GetYourGuideCompare budget-friendly rental cars with a free-cancellation option (check the price when booking) · Check price and book
View on QeeqLocal driver pick-up, flight delay monitoring included (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Book after checking price
View on Welcome Pickups$92
View on Klook$29
View on GetYourGuideA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.
$17
View on Klook$107
View on GetYourGuideThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.
$48
View on Klook$57
View on Klook$51
View on Klook$52
View on GetYourGuide$46
View on Klook$97
View on KlookOnce saved, you can open this page without an internet connection
Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post
It takes place on Sat, December 12, 2026 in Montgomery Bell State Park, TN, United States.
The main event costs $125.
Ultra.
The race starts at 07:00.
Montgomery Bell State Park, TN.
Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center, 1000 Hotel Ave.