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Recreation

How the Barkley Marathons make ritual and myth in the East Tennessee woods

Leslie Thompson

June 23, 2025

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Somewhere deep in the East Tennessee woods, there’s a race with no finish line — at least not one most people will ever reach. There’s no official website, no posted start time, and the course changes every year.

Filed Under: Sports, WPLN News Tagged With: Niche to Meet You, outdoors, Recreation

Whitewater rafting rebounding in Hartford after being battered by Helene

Pierce Gentry, WUOT

June 2, 2025

Many small communities that dot the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains rely on whitewater rafting for tourism. In September, Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding to the region, destroying many outdoor water adventure businesses. Now, some are starting to bounce back.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Hurricane Helene, Pigeon River, Recreation, river

A hidden gem of whitewater rafting faces an uncertain future after Hurricane Helene

Travis Loller, AP

February 11, 2025

Whitewater outfitters on the Nolichucky River are facing an uncertain future after Hurricane Helene. The storm washed a CSX rail line into the river. Now heavy equipment is crawling all over the wild, remote gorge, and outfitters haven’t heard whether the U.S. Forest Service plans to issue permits for them to operate.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: CSX, Flooding, Hurricane Helene, outdoors, Recreation, severe weather

8 spots to connect you to the Cumberland River

Tony Gonzalez

July 28, 2023

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The Cumberland River flows through Nashville for a winding 55 miles, and all those bends mean many residents spend a huge chunk of time living or working near the water. But it doesn’t always feel that way, as we found out in This Is Nashville ‘s river recreation episode.

Filed Under: Features Tagged With: Cumberland River, Metro Parks, old hickory, Recreation

Rivergate Skate Center is a neighborhood roller rink with a storied past

Steve Haruch

July 6, 2023

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Like so many iconic spots around Nashville, the Rivergate Skate Center is located between two strip malls.

Filed Under: Pin Drop, WPLN News Tagged With: history, Madison, Recreation

How Tennessee has grown one of the largest student fishing circuits in the nation

Katherine Ceicys

June 11, 2023

fishing Hendersonville TN
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“We take everybody. That’s the beauty of it: that it’s open to absolutely everyone … And the fish don’t discriminate. They don’t care who you are. If you’ve got the right bait on, they’re going to come get it and then you get to weigh them in.”

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: Recreation, wildlife

Simply put, the Music City Dope Pedalers are good vibes on two wheels

Khalil Ekulona

September 30, 2022

If you are driving around Germantown on a Friday evening, you’ll likely see the 20 cyclists who make up the Music City Dope Pedalers.

Filed Under: Features, Riding Shotgun Tagged With: bicycles, Community, Recreation, This Is Nashville

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