Johnsonville Charge

DIRECTIONS

COURSE

This is one of the new courses that were added when the Running Tour expanded from 12 to 14 races in 1995. Designed by Tomas de Paulis, it originally had a shorter turnaround with a complex looping of the parking lot at the start. Click here to review course path. One year a wheelchair racer participated. He lost control in one of the sharp turns and ended up in the lake, where he was promptly rescued and could finish. As the name implies, it is held on the last Saturday of October. Famous for its charcoal-grilled gourmet hot dogs. In 2012 the race used chip timing for the first time instead of finishing cards. It was also officially USAT&F certified, which required the turnaround to be moved 17 yards further out. Amelie Sharp has been the race director since 2019.
The new course record was set by 19-year-old Drew Williams, who beat second place by 4 minutes.

COURSE HISTORY

The race was originally started and designed by Paul Haase in 1992 and called Nathan Bedford Forrest Charge. The name was changed in 1995 in order to not be confused with Nathan Bedford State Park across the river. The race was organized by Waverly Rotary Club. The race is famous for its lack of a real shelter and fabulous post-race beef stew. Used to be known for having the oldest race workers on tour, with an average age of approx. 70+. After Paul’s 2005 fatal bicycle crash while warming up for the National Senior Olympic Triathlon Championship in Pittsburgh, the race was managed by Clarksville Running Club. In 2008 the race was managed by Mike Bell and Jackson Road Runners. The race was taken over in 2009 by Tennessee Valley Road Runners, Waverley, and moved to February 2010. The flood of May 2010 washed out the road, but it was restored in time for the 2011 event. In 2012, Amy Wimmer’s (Cox) course record (31 26) from 1996 was broken. In 2013 Kirsten bettered her own record by another 13 seconds. In 2014 Angela Redden became the new race director. Her husband, Bill, is the director for 2019. The route was changed slightly in 2017 when a new park entrance was built on Nell Beard Rd. The new course was certified in 2021, with the start, finish, and turnaround moved back closer to the parking areas.

COURSE RECORDS

Men   2003    Ben Mulvaney    26:00
Women    2020    Kiera Woodman    30:06