USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

TOWNSEND — Runners will be in control for a time Sunday as the annual Cades Cove Loop Lope is run through the popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park location.

Cades Cove will be closed until 10:30 a.m. so the races over 10-mile or 3.1-mile courses can be conducted.

Friends of the Smokies, the park’s philanthropic partner, will host the event, which was limited to 500 runners. Registration was on Aug. 1. Both races are sold out.

“We appreciate the support of the Friends and participants in supporting this event,” said acting Supt. Clay Jordan, “along with those visitors who alter their plans Sunday morning to explore other areas of the park during delayed opening.”

To accommodate parking, access to the area will be limited at the Townsend Wye. Registered Cades Cove campers, Tremont Institute program participants and event participants with a parking pass must show registration documents for access beyond that point.

The Cades Cove store will be open, but will not begin renting bikes until 11 a.m. The Cades Cove riding stables will begin offering horse rides at 11 a.m.