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 …
MORE
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 Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site to the finish line in Abbeville, GA, reversing the course from last year. The race will begin with cannon blasts at 6:00 a.m. at the locations for the start of the Marathon and Half-Marathon.
Each of the runners will be assigned to a team, either Blue or Gray. Once the races are completed, the times from each runner will be averaged and the winning team will be announced. Each runner will receive a shirt corresponding to their team color.
LESS
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.