History of the Charleston Distance Run
Gary Smith recently updated the History of the Charleston Distance Run. Gary has raced in every CDR 15-miler, except the inaugural race in 1973, making him the ideal historian of our unique event. Enjoy the latest updates to Gary’s original 2012 article, which is also available below.
CDR History Update…
2023
September 2, 2023, marked the 50th running of the Charleston Distance Run 15-mile road race and the 30th anniversary of the 5K run/walk. Overall registration was up 35 percent over 2022 and the number of registrants increased across all event categories. Registrants received acommemorative 50th anniversary coffee mug, a CDR-branded cooling towel and canvas tote, a set of reusable bib fasteners, and a souvenir poster, created by artist Gaynell Sloman and first distributed for the 1987 CDR. The black and white race T-shirts were a throwback to the inaugural 1973 race.
Colin Martin of Pittsburgh led all 15-mile runners with a finish time of 1:20:32, just 30 seconds in front of the second place finisher. Ashley Wilson of Charleston was the overall female winner, finishing in 1:44:10. In the 5K event, Anders Ludvigsen of Cincinnati crossed first in 16:14; Megan Hevener of Charleston led all female finishers with a finish time of 21:59.
The co-ed team “Pink Fireballs,” comprising Anji Null, Jimmy Cunningham and Jonathan Fee, placed first overall in the 15-mile relay in 1:50:34. Gary Smith finished his 49th 15-miler, maintaining his status of having the longest streak among 15-mile runners.
The end of 2023 saw a change in event leadership as Race Director John Palmer, Treasurer Bob Tate and Secretary Gary Smith announced they would pass the torch to new leaders. All three will stay on in 2024 to work with the new CDR Committee leads. Palmer has served as race director since 2010; Smith has served as secretary since 2011, and Tate will complete his 50th year as a member of the CDR Committee as treasurer in 2024.
Carol Phipps Haid, who has run the individual CDR 13 times, will be the first female director of the race. Joining Phipps Haid will be Victoria Barksdale as secretary and Kara Moore as assistant treasurer. All three have previously served on the CDR Committee. “I’ve run many races and the CDR is my favorite,” Phipps Haid said. “My goal is to continue evolving all aspects of the race experience to appeal to elite runners and beginners alike. There’s something for everyone at the CDR, and we’re excited about preparing for its second half century.”
The Committee learned that two former members passed away: Amy Carol Campbell, who served as the race’s Clinical Coordinator for 12 years, passed away in September 2023. Tom Crutchfield, a Committee member for more than 20 years, who validated that runners stayed on the course and crossed all checkpoints, died in January 2024.
Charleston Gazzette Mail Sports retrospective: Distance Run once thrived as more than just a footrace