Strolling Jim
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Event Overview
The Strolling Jim is an ultramarathon held on the first Saturday in May in Wartrace, Tennessee. The event includes a 40-mile race.
Course and Setting
The route is a figure-eight loop on country roads in Bedford County, passing through Wartrace and Bell Buckle. The course uses a combination of training roads and features quiet streets, scenic hills, and picturesque homes. It is considered one of the most competitive road ultras in the United States.
Schedule and Location
The start and finish is at the Wartrace Wellhouse at 101 Spring Street. Packet pickup and a pre-race meal are available the day before the race. A post-race party with a BBQ chicken dinner is held after the finish.
Aid and Logistics
Aid stations with water, Gatorade, and light snacks are located along the course. A drop bag location is available at the dual-purpose aid station. Crews are permitted but must follow specific rules; pacers are not allowed. Parking is available at nearby fields, and camping is permitted at Winnette Ayers Park and Jernigan Field. There is no official time cutoff for the race, but aid stations are left unmanned after dark.
Awards
All finishers receive a medal. Performance-based awards include color-coded shirts (Gold, Blue, or Red) and trophies for top finishers.
History
The race was founded in 1979 by Gary Cantrell, also known as Lazarus Lake. It is named after a famous Tennessee walking horse. The 2026 event will be the 48th running. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
