LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — Josh Whitehead and Christian Thompson have played “tag, you’re it!” with the Oak Barrel Half Marathon winner’s spotlight for the last five years or so.
Back and forth, like a barrel rolling on an uneven floor, they’ve traded snapping the tape at the finish line by the Moore County Courthouse. Fans along the chute on Mechanic Street are unsure who’s coming until the runners round the corner off Majors Boulevard. The final mile takes them past the famed Jack Daniel’s distillery and into town, where you can celebrate the legendary whiskey but not buy it in the dry county.
Saturday morning, it was Whitehead churning around the corner first to the finish line. The 46-year-old from Madison claimed his seventh OBH title. This was the 15th year for the race, which is sponsored by Jack Daniel’s and attracts runners from across the country. Finishers receive a cool wooden barrel-shaped medal, cap and visor, Swiftwick socks and pullover.
Whitehead finished in 1:15:08, more than three minutes ahead of Thompson. He finished in 1:18:35. That was about six minutes slower than last year for the 36-year-old from Ooltewah, Tenn. Whitehead also was slower. Everyone was, it seemed. The heat and humidity Saturday morning were unexpected 1-2 punches for early April.
Tay Cavett, 27, of Huntsville, won the women’s title and was sixth overall. She finished in 1:27:07.
Registration for the 2026 OBH will be in October.
See all of the results here and photos from We Run Race Photos here.
