The annual Bourbon Chase relay race will wind its way through the back roads of Boyle County on Friday, Oct. 2, with runners celebrating this year’s “Joy Ride” theme.
This year’s race will involve nearly 3,000 runners coming to Kentucky from around the country. They’ll start the race before the sun comes up at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, en route to Lexington, but they will spend several hours in Boyle County during the afternoon and evening.
For just over 200 miles, relay teams will trek across central Kentucky, finishing in downtown Lexington on Saturday, Oct. 3. By early afternoon on Oct. 2, the first wave of runners will start arriving in Perryville before continuing on to Wilderness Trail Distillery in Danville and then to the major exchange in downtown Danville. The race continues on to Stanford, then over to Junction City before coming back to Danville, with exchanges at Lowe’s and Millennium Park before continuing north into Mercer County.
While runners are on the road, other members of their relay teams will be in the 500 or so vans they use to get to each of the exchanges. Most of those runners will end up in downtown Danville for at least a short time, while others will spend hours there relaxing, having dinner and enjoying the atmosphere, which will include a DJ, games and vendors.
“We always try to create a memorable experience for these runners, with Perryville already having a lot happening for the commemoration weekend and downtown Danville rolling out the welcome mat as well,” said Kendall Clinton, executive director of the Danville-Boyle County Tourism Office. “Many of the runners will have time to grab dinner downtown and soak in the atmosphere a bit. It’s the perfect time for the community to make a great first impression on these runners, who’ll hopefully return later on for a proper visit.”
In advance of runners making their way downtown, street closures near Weisiger Park and the courthouse will begin early Friday afternoon and remain in place until the last teams pass through later that evening.
With nearly 3,000 runners and almost 500 vans traveling on area roads, drivers are encouraged to be extra alert. Runners will be wearing reflective gear and lights, but safety remains a top priority throughout the evening.
And even though running is the theme of the event, locals are invited to come downtown, join in the party, cheer on the athletes and help create a festive atmosphere.