Early on the morning of May 10, 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured at his camp outside Irwinville by a detachment of the Fourth Michigan Calvary, who had pursued him into the heart of the Deep South. Davis had spent the evening of May 8, in Abbeville, a distance …
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Early on the morning of May 10, 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured at his camp outside Irwinville by a detachment of the Fourth Michigan Calvary, who had pursued him into the heart of the Deep South. Davis had spent the evening of May 8, in Abbeville, a distance of almost exactly 26.2 miles from where he was captured. To commemorate this historic event, the counties and communities along the route will host the Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon.
About the marathon
On the 150th anniversary of the capture, the Inaugural Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon was held. On May 9, 2015, marathon and half-marathon runners followed Jefferson Davis’ historic route through farm land and pine woods and parts of three south Georgia counties in the first-ever Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon. The Civil War Sesquicentennial event commemorates this closing event of the war that divided America from 1861-1865.The marathon course almost exactly follows the route of that historic journey at the close of the Civil War, with the participants finishing within feet of the actual site of the capture.
The route is almost exactly 26.2 miles. Roughly five miles of the course will be over dirt roads. The route is fairly equally divided among the three counties participating in the event.
The marathon is USATF Certified (GA15012WC). Further details about the race can be found on Facebook at the Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon page.
The point to point courses will be run on paved and dirt roads. The Marathon will be run from the Abbeville Historic Gymnasium to the finish line in Irwinville GA. The Half Marathon will start in Fitzgerald, GA. and finish in the same location as the Marathon. The race will begin with cannon or musket blasts at 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM at each location for the start of the Marathon and Half Marathon.
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Small but Mighty
I was trying to run 50 marathons by the time I turned 50 and I needed to do a race in April-- that was not too far away from my … MORE
I was trying to run 50 marathons by the time I turned 50 and I needed to do a race in April– that was not too far away from my house… this was the best option. The race was VERY small– less than 100 people and yet the race production team worked very hard to make it great. I have never run a race where I was alone so much, but it was fun. There were very few water stops, but there were enough. I won my age division (simply because there were not many people in my age group) and I won a metal… it was homemade… but very nice… I am not sure if I would run this race again, but I do not regret running it. The historical nature of it was very cool– as you ended at the spot where the Civil war ended– where Jefferson Davis was captured.
Very small race - fewer than 20
There is both a Full and Half Marathon. The race is point to point - the Half starts at the halfway point. Most of the half marathon course is on … MORE
There is both a Full and Half Marathon. The race is point to point – the Half starts at the halfway point. Most of the half marathon course is on some minor hilly asphalt roads, but the race ends going on a dirt/grass/sand trail into the Jefferson Davis Memorial Park. Water stations manned by enthusiastic 4-H club members. Portapots on the course. Mile markers show the distance to the end, counting down instead of the usual counting up. Nice medal and technical shirt (same for both full and half – see attached). Good refreshments at the end of the race. It is probably wise to use the free Shuttle provided to take you to the race and return you because the area is not too easily found. Also, package pickup is not very easy to find. Some of the information on the race’s website and facebook page are not accurate or what currently occurs (did not have competition with gray / blue shirts this year) – they are going to correct that hopefully.