Charleston Distance Run facts for kids

The Charleston Distance Run is an exciting road running event that happens every year in Charleston, West Virginia. This race is about 15 miles (24 km) long, which is quite a distance! It starts right in front of the beautiful West Virginia State Capitol building. Runners get to see many parts of Charleston as they follow the course. They run along the Kanawha Boulevard, cross a bridge, go up a challenging hill, and then finish near the Kanawha River at Laidley Field. It's a well-known race that brings many runners to the city.

History of the Race

The Charleston Distance Run began in 1973. It was started by a local eye doctor named Don Cohen. He wanted to create a fun running event for the city. Don Cohen worked with city leaders and the police to plan the best route.

The race ended up being 15 miles long by accident! Don Cohen's main goal was to make sure the race passed by famous places in Charleston. These included the State Capitol, the Kanawha riverbank, and different parts of the city like the East End, West Side, and South Hills. For many years, the race happened at the same time as the annual Sternwheel Regatta, a big festival. Even though the Regatta stopped in 2008, the Distance Run kept going. Today, it's special because it's the only 15-mile race in America!

The Race Course

The Charleston Distance Run course is a mix of flat sections and hills. It starts on the flat Kanawha Boulevard. Then, runners cross the South Side Bridge. After the bridge, there's a long, tough hill called Corridor G. This hill is nicknamed "Capital Hill Punishment" because it's almost 2 miles (3.2 km) long and goes uphill!

After the big climb, the course winds through Charleston's South Hills for about 3 miles (4.8 km). Then, runners cross back over the South Side Bridge. The last 7 miles (11.3 km) of the race are mostly flat. Runners go past the West Virginia State Capitol again and run along the Kanawha River. The race finishes at Laidley Field, where cheering crowds often wait.

Past Overall Winners

This table shows some of the amazing runners who have won the Charleston Distance Run over the years. It includes their name, where they were from, and their winning time.