Strolling Jim is a legendary run through the famous Tennessee Walking Horse countryside. The classic 40 mile (41.2 miles) is a beautiful, challenging course. For 4+ decades now, the first Saturday in May has meant one thing in the scenic hills of Bedford County, Tennessee; the return of the Foot …
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Strolling Jim is a legendary run through the famous Tennessee Walking Horse countryside. The classic 40 mile (41.2 miles) is a beautiful, challenging course.
For 4+ decades now, the first Saturday in May has meant one thing in the scenic hills of Bedford County, Tennessee; the return of the Foot Warriors. And the Ultra-Marathoners have kept coming back to stroll the quiet streets of Wartrace and Bell Buckle, enjoying the picturesque homes and quaint shops.
They come back to share in the reunion of the Ultra community. Back to celebrate the end of Winter with a run in the inspiring springtime beauty of the Highland Rim. Back to be a part of one of the most competitive Road Ultras in the US, and to match their times against the fastest runners of the past 40 years. Back to strive for a coveted Gold Shirt… or Blue Shirt… or Red Shirt. Back to feast on the bountiful repast at both pre- and post-run festivities.
But, most of all, the Ultra-Marathoners keep coming back because, at the Strolling Jim, every runner is a hero, an honored guest, and a welcomed friend.
One of the unique features of the Strolling Jim is the awarding of the “colored” shirt based on excellent finishing times. These shirts are given at the finish and prominently display your achievement in large letters on the back. i.e. Red Strolling Jim Shirt with SUB 7 on the back would be those runners finishing the 40 mile run between 6:00:00 and 6:59:00. We now award these shirts for special Marathon and 10k times. Train hard. You want one of these.
Join us this May, and you will find your own reasons to keep coming back.
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A great run through Vol State country
I was coming off of health issues and almost cancelled this. But I tried it anyway and was glad that I did. RD Laz (of Barkley and Vol State fame) … MORE
I was coming off of health issues and almost cancelled this. But I tried it anyway and was glad that I did. RD Laz (of Barkley and Vol State fame) put on yet another great event.
I decided to try the first marathon part of the run around a 5 to 6 hour marathon pace. That worked out well. Then I slowed to walk/jog and eventually made it “home” to cross the finish line.
Temps did get warm for the second half, but it was never miserable. I certainly felt the hills even when it was written in chalk “This is not a hill.” on the hills. Wartburg humor.
Photo is of me and RD Laz.
Extremely challenging but worth it!
Awesome scenery, challenging hills, but the weather was perfect for a race. Saw miniature donkeys and goats, llamas, peacocks, as well as beautiful horses and tons of cows. Gorgeous homes! … MORE
Awesome scenery, challenging hills, but the weather was perfect for a race. Saw miniature donkeys and goats, llamas, peacocks, as well as beautiful horses and tons of cows. Gorgeous homes! This IS Tennessee Walking horse territory! Food for the athletes afterwards was fantastic! Cute race shirt and (wooden) medal. Will definitely do this one again!
So Glad I Ran The Strolling Jim
The reviews here made me curious enough to pick this one for my “Tennessee” marathon, I live in Tennessee and wanted to pick a good one for my first in … MORE
The reviews here made me curious enough to pick this one for my “Tennessee” marathon, I live in Tennessee and wanted to pick a good one for my first in state. I did.
It is a low key event, packet pick up in the town center park with no expo but people who are pleased to have you at their event and town. I ate at the fire hall spaghetti dinner, camped at one of the two activity field options just around the corner from the downtown. It was all fun and relaxed.
2022 had perfect running weather – overcast, some drizzle, and mid 50s temperature. The start in the town square of all the distances – 10k, half marathon, full marathon, and 40 miler – was so relaxed and egalitarian. It still is an ulta event first – 140 40 mile finishers compared to 40 marathon, 60 half, and 55 10k. Many race starts are tense and people are self focused, for good reasons. But at the Strolling Jim it was more like the start of a concert or something. People took it seriously – the course record was broken by star runner Camille Heron – but it they also seemed to treat it as a gathering too and were genial. I couldn’t tell which distance runners I was talking to during the run until I asked. I had the nicest conversations before, during, and after the race.
The course. Mid Tennessee has rolling hills and they add up, 1,900 ft of ascent on my watch. The roads are open and no real monitors, instructions and some encouraging sayings are painted on the road in the place of monitors and it worked for me. But, support was there when needed – a crossing of a 4 lane state hiway had two stellar sheriff’s deputies stopping traffic as runners crossed. The aid stations were as advertised – some were jugs by the roadside, some were staffed with snacks. At the marathon turn around (lollypop with a stick course) a volunteer poured water in my pack bladder while I held it open, a big help. And his partner taught me a new funny saying while it was going on. It was all beautiful farmland with the green leaves only in their second week.
The finish was the same, people shouting your name and lots of people around, people who had finished and stuck around to cheer others on. Camille even.
The swag was low key as advertised, the same medal as the 40 milers got, probably the only one I will ever have that says 40 miles. And a cotton tshirt. The Ultrarunners also got a tshirt at the finish with a color based on their time. There was the beans, mac & cheese, and barbecued chicken, and lemonade at the packet pickup tent.
The registration confirmation email said “no one leaves disappointed”. I know what they mean now. So many people repeat, now I know why.
Thoroughly enjoyable race
Gorgeous scenery, Wonderful hilly race course, volunteers, the post race cinnamon rolls and ice cream and top notch organizing by laz, Steve Durbin. Loved the little messages on the road, … MORE
Gorgeous scenery, Wonderful hilly race course, volunteers, the post race cinnamon rolls and ice cream and top notch organizing by laz, Steve Durbin. Loved the little messages on the road, was well marked, the aid stations had plenty of water.
The Most Unique Marathon I've Repeated
I returned to this race after cutting about 15 minutes off of my marathon time over the past year. I knew I was in shape to go sub-three here, and … MORE
I returned to this race after cutting about 15 minutes off of my marathon time over the past year. I knew I was in shape to go sub-three here, and there are no flat cold courses around here this time of year for a PR. So why not make a small name for myself and be the first to break three hours by tackling the 2000 feet of climb on a day in the upper 60s? The 26.2 doesn’t have the lore of the 40 mile course, so there’s an opportunity to start some.
Don’t expect the typical aid stations. Don’t expect there to be cups. Don’t expect people offering help. You can (A) drop your own drinks off beforehand, (B) bring your own cup and be prepared to stop for a few seconds when needed, or (C) bring a crew. Yes, if you’re a middle-of-the-pack person going at 9:00/mi, you’ll likely be in a group that will receive all the offers in the world. If you’re an elite or sub-elite, you’re on your own. There was a time or two that I could have used a bottle of water to pour down my back, but I had my Gatorade hidden on course, and that would have to do.
The scenery is great and pastoral. There are plenty of hills. The distances are longer than what is claimed. This is not a PR course. For the 26.2, you will want to add 2% for hills (2000 ft of climb), 1% for extra distance (26.5 GPS by my watch instead of the normal 26.4), and 2-4% for heat (60F-80F). A three hour marathoner over a flat course in cold weather can expect a 3:10-3:15 on a typical day here. The 2019 event also featured a large mud pit that caused injuries and slowdowns. A road was being replaced, which isn’t the fault of the directors, but some cheap sawdust or something would have been nice.
I ended up taking the overall win and got a trophy that is still more than double in size of anything that I have earned before or since (except for last year’s). There are also special shirts you get according to your finish time. The shirts for the half marathoners were not ready as promised because they changed the time standards and actual course six days beforehand. This change might also have been the reason that the lead half-marathoner took a wrong turn and lost the race. Most of the runners feel that the race is being pulled in two different directions by the two race directors. Some people like the spastic nature of it, but I prefer predictability and organization. The people are very nice.
Vintage Racing in Beautiful Countryside
Perhaps the most pure, natural, still existing true to the roots of it's history ultramarathon that remains in the United States. I ran the Strolling Jim 40 Miler ultra for … MORE
Perhaps the most pure, natural, still existing true to the roots of it’s history ultramarathon that remains in the United States. I ran the Strolling Jim 40 Miler ultra for the first time in 2010 and return every year no matter how far or long of a journey it takes to return back.
The race was created by Lazarus Lake, yes that one…creator of the infamous and near impossible Barkley Marathons, over 40 years ago. So you know you are not going to get some cookie cutter, overly marketed, catered, powder puff RNR-like event.
Since Steve Durbin joined Laz to RD the event a few years ago they’ve added a marathon, half marathon, and 10K distances to the traditional 40 miler. It gives a sampling of the historic 40 miler to runners of all levels. It also gives an opportunity for spouses, friends, and family members something do while they wait on their loved ones to finish the 40 miler.
Back in 2010 all we had was water jugs on the road every 5 miles…and you know what? It was perfect and main reason I fell in love with this race. The course record was set in 1989 (with jugs). Since then, Steve has softened the race by adding some true aid stations along the way with some simple foods, sports drink, etc in addition to the jugs every 5 miles and a couple drop bag spots for the ultra runners.
The volunteers on the course and after the race cooking BBQ chicken, baked beans, and creating a family like celebration of every runner that finishes which makes it a perfect homecoming race for me, my Run It Fast® family, and so many that take part.
If you are wanting a Rock n Roll/Foam Party/Color Run then this event isn’t for you. If you want a throw-back in time to the true roots of our sport, and a chance to meet a living legend, Laz, and many other decorated runners from all over the globe then Strolling Jim will not disappoint.
The Most Unique Marathon I've Completed
I must confess that I picked this race because it was less than thirty minutes from where I live and the participation rate at the 26.2 distance is relatively low. … MORE
I must confess that I picked this race because it was less than thirty minutes from where I live and the participation rate at the 26.2 distance is relatively low. I thought I was near the end of my running career due to injuries and wanted to get a marathon victory before I hung up the shoes. Things improved in that regard, and I ended up winning and running a 2:59 at a different race the month before. I had already registered for Strolling Jim, and there were no refunds (I believe), and I had a friend participating in the 40 miler, so I showed up to use it as a training run.
The most important thing you should know is that there are no cups. This is nothing new to ultra-marathoners apparently, but it can throw off the shorter distance people. There are plenty of manned and unmanned stations with water, but there will not be people handing drinks out like there are at most races. It might be difficult to determine who is part of the official race and who is part of a private crew, but people will be happy to help you out. I was under the impression that the cupless policy applied only to the unmanned stations, so I went without a cup. I was lucky enough to have someone offer me a couple of bottles. You might have to stop for a few seconds at the stations with your own gear if you don’t have a crew supporting you, which is allowed (pacers are not).
The scenery is great and pastoral. There are plenty of hills. The distances are longer than what is claimed. This is not a PR course. For the 26.2, you will want to add 2% for hills (2000 ft of climb), 2% for extra distance (26.7 GPS by my watch instead of the normal 26.4), and 2-4% for heat (60F-80F). A three hour marathoner over a flat course in cold weather can expect a 3:10-3:15 on a typical day here. I ended up with a 3:25 because I was still recovering from the marathon four weeks prior and because I did not go out at 100% effort.
As for memorabilia, I ended up taking the overall win and got a trophy that is still more than double in size of anything that I have earned before or since. There are also special shirts you get according to your finish time. After weeks of messaging, they ended up having to mail mine to me because they only had the 40 milers on race day. I have registered for the 2019 race and plan to take home the sub-three gold shirt on that day. I’m in 2:43-2:44 shape now, so I hope that’s enough.
A perfect event
There are not enough ways to say what a fantastic event this is. My only previous longish race was the LA Marathon, and this event opened up an entirely new … MORE
There are not enough ways to say what a fantastic event this is. My only previous longish race was the LA Marathon, and this event opened up an entirely new world of running to me. Our hotel was in the next town over (Shelbyville TN) was comfortable and cheap. Packet pick up was organized, relaxed, and set a perfect tone for the race itself. Following packet pick up there is a guided parade type tour of the course with stops along the way to learn more about the history and landmarks. The tour was helpful to me as a runner, and also to my family to help them stake out spots that would be most accessible to meet along the way. The spaghetti dinner was again relaxed, delicious, and everyone working seemed genuinely happy to be there. Going into race day I knew exactly what to expect as far as food and fluid offerings that would be available along the way, the course was well marked (and laid out in the printed booklet received at packet pick up) and was grateful for the volunteers that put so much energy and time into the day. Being new to the 40 mile distance I had way overshot what I needed to carry as far as nutrition (carried all the sporty type gus, gels, chews) and fluid, and I finished the race knowing I could have carried nothing and gotten by just on the kindness of other spectators there for their own runners. You couldn’t run more than a few minutes without someone calling out to see if you needed anything. I finished with tears of joy, had a great meal steps from the finish line, and am so thankful for the chance to have been introduced to this wonderful race. I can’t say enough positive things about everyone involved and will be back for the second time 5/4/19. I plan to stick with primarily ultra distances, and will continue to register for races hosted by Durbin.
Great course, rediculus aidstations
This race has a 40 year long history and I was looking forward to it. There were unmanned water stations (jugs on the ground) and 6 aid stations a long … MORE
This race has a 40 year long history and I was looking forward to it. There were unmanned water stations (jugs on the ground) and 6 aid stations a long the way. Spread out but I thought that would be enough to run without anything.
Aid station 7.5 was missing, just water jugs on the ground.
13.5 had some peanut pretzels, water and a weird electrolyte drink and some weird bars.
21.5 was non existing. I had to walk because I ran out of energy. An aid station came after 24.5 I think.
29.5 had luckily 2 bananas on the table, otherwise the table was blank. The lady pulled out some Gatorade and some beer from a cooler. This was supposed to be a full aid station but just a blank table with 2 bananas? Really?
35 was the same as 13.1, now manned by a fat guy bossing two kids around. They had nothing to eat so I moved on.
Just before 39, a support car asked me if I needed something and I got a gel which was highly appreciated.
This was by far the most pathetic aid stations I have seen in my life. And this was a fully organized event for $116 not a fat ass. I was highly disappointed, the race director just laughed at me at the finish when I told him the aid stations where not there.
Obviously I would not recommend this race.
The next regular one
Hilly 40 miler & fun event
Start in a small rural Tennessee town (Wartrace, TN) and run on hilly paved roads for 40+ miles. Well manned aid stations, lots of friendly folks and a cool finish … MORE
Start in a small rural Tennessee town (Wartrace, TN) and run on hilly paved roads for 40+ miles. Well manned aid stations, lots of friendly folks and a cool finish back in Wartrace!