The 8th Annual Tour de Franklin was held Sunday, Oct. 30, beginning at Smoky Mountain Bicycles on Highlands Road in Franklin.

Three different routes were offered: a 28-mile; a 66-mile and a 103-mile. At right, William Rossman from Peachtree City, Ga. completed 110 miles (which included a small detour) in 6 hours and 25 minutes.

Proceeds from the race went to the Wounded Warrior project.

Photo by Joey Hooper

The Franklin Cross Country team will be hosting the Grayson Hall Memorial 5K race on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m. at Tassee Park on the Little Tennessee Greenway in Franklin.

This is the seventh year for the Grayson Hall Memorial race, which raises money for a Franklin High School scholarship. The idea for the race was conceived by Tiffany Allen, a FHS graduate and cross country runner, as a tribute to a former classmate who was killed in a car accident. Yearly scholarships in his memory have been awarded.

Escape the confines of pavement for a fast-paced adventure along wooded trails and past lakes and mountains. Join the Western North Carolina Alliance for a guided mountain biking trip through the 15-mile Jack Rabbit Trail System in the Nantahala National Forest Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Led by WNCA’s Education and Outings Coordinator, Joy Irby, bikers will learn about sustainable trail building, eat lunch on Lake Chatuge and experience the Fall as you fly past some of WNC’s most beautiful scenery. Beginners are welcome.

Cost is $10 for Alliance members; $20 for nonmembers. If you need a bike, the cost is $40 extra.

Franklin High School’s Senior Fall Sports athletes were recognized at half time of Friday’s record-breaking varsity football game. Sports that were highlighted were football, women’s golf, cross country, men’s soccer, cheerleading, volleyball and marching band. The tennis team was playing in the Regionals and will be recognized at a senior night ceremony for winter sports.

Senior Night was made even more memorable by the 56-0 win that leaves only one more win to clinch the conference title outright. The 10-0 record breaks the school start record and ties the consecutive wins record. Franklin’s last regular season game is Friday in Waynesville against the Tuscola Mountaineers.