Johnsonville Charge
DIRECTIONS
GPS 36.06094 -87.96447
COURSE
The course is one of the flattest of the Running Tour. Click here to review course path. It is an out-and-back starting and finishing on the north road branch of the lower level of the park just east of the small picnic area. The start runs east back down the park entrance road. Turn left when the road trees into Nell Beard Road, run slightly downhill and quickly turn right onto Old Johnsonville Road. Continue east on Old Johnsonville for just under two miles to the turn- marked by a cone just after passing the water stop. Follow the same course back to the finish.
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