The starting gun for the annual Oak Barrel Half Marathon will fire Saturday, April 5 at 8 a.m. sharp at the starting location at 196 Main Street in Lynchburg.

A large turnout is expected as it is again a capacity field with regular entries all claimed within hours of the entry porthole being opened last year. Forecasts say there is a chance of rain but that temperatures will be excellent for the run.

This year’s charities that will benefit from charity sponsorships include:

Moore County Resource Center – The mission for Moore County Resource Center is to provide low income families from Moore Count y and their children with the tools to begin a successful school year. A portion of that preparation for the successful school year is ensuring that each student has a backpack with all of the necessary school supplies, new shoes, toiletry items, and clothing. Moore Care also provides each student with access to medical, dental, and vision screening. The parents are given education on financial planning and stretching their food dollars.

Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic – The goal of this nonprofit organization (which serves the middle Tennessee area) is to 1. Help alleviate pet overpopulation by providing affordable spay/neuter services for dogs and cats belonging to qualifying pet owners and caretakers in the middle Tennessee area and 2. To provide and promote education for the humane care and treatment for all animals.

Moore County Friends of Animals – Moore County Tennessee does not have a county-funded animal shelter. The Moore County Friends of Animals a local animal rescue.

For those who are not familiar with the course a link to the course map can be found on RideWithGPS. The course includes a few hills. Most of the altitude required to get up on the ridge above town is gained in a little over a mile. In addition to that one major hill, the course includes few rolling hills but none that are significant. After mile 9, the course is either a shallow downhill grade or flat to the finish line.

Packet pick up will be Friday, April 4, 2025 Noon – 7 p.m. — Wiseman Park (behind the town square in Lynchburg, where you will be parking for the race). Saturday, April 5, 2025 6 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. — Wiseman Park (behind the town square in Lynchburg, where you will be parking for the race)

There will be chip timing the race using the disposable timing chips attached to the race bibs.

Parking on race morning will be in Wiseman Park. This is also the location of packet pickup. Parking in Wiseman Park is very limited – they encourage you to car pool if at all possible.

The Oak Barrel Half is organized by the Mach Tenn Running Club. You may email them at info@oakbarrelhalf.com.

Pictures courtesy of Jeff Reed.