LYNCHBURG, Tenn. – The skies were sunny and clear in Lynchburg after overnight thunderstorms for the 8 a.m. start of the Oak Barrel Half Marathon. More than 1,200 runners lined up for the event, and in the end, Josh Whitehead of Madison, Alabama, posted his seventh win of the year with a time of 1:12:38.
Christian Thompson was second in 1:15:18, and Michael Haschel was third in 1:17:11.
Rachel Mason won the women’s title in 1:28:15. She was seventh overall. Paige Thompson was second (14th) in 1:31:24, and Emily Rollins was third (28th) in 1:36:51.
According to oakbarrelhalf.com, the Oak Barrel Half course includes a very memorable hill that starts between 3 1/2 miles and four miles into the run. This hill has lovingly been dubbed “Whiskey Hill.” Whiskey Hill is not for the faint of heart.
Whiskey Hill is the path up to the top of a ridge line that the course follows for several miles. The hill is about one mile long and starts out fairly gradual. About half way up Whiskey Hill it begins to get a little steeper, but still pretty manageable. At this point runners begin to see the top of the ridge that they are running toward.
Once runners get within striking distance of the top and to the last switchback on the hill, the incline kicks up pretty dramatically. It’s as if Whiskey Hill has taken on its own personality and is laughing and providing that last little challenge.
In the process of selecting the charities to receive part of the race profits, Oak Barrel Half organizers try to find local charities where the donation that they are able to make will make a substantial impact on the local community.
Some of the charities who have received donations from Oak Barrel in the past are Honor Flight, Moore Care, Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic, Moore County Volunteer Fire Department, Moore County Senior Citizens Center, Franklin County Humane Society, Moore County Friends of Animals, Bedford County Animal Control, and No Kill Manchester.
The Oak Barrel Half is organized by the Mach Tenn Running Club. Mach Tenn is a small club that serves the southern middle Tennessee area and has been in existence for more than 30 years.
