Defending champion Ben White ready for Saturday’s Lion’s Chase

The Lion’s Chase has continued to grow in popularity each year of its existence. Athletes of all ages come from far and wide each September to test their mettle against the rugged terrain and grueling obstacles that are featured in this outdoor race.

The event is held each year right off of Cumberland Falls Hwy between Corbin and Williamsburg. Not far past the entrance to Cumberland Falls State Park, a large field on the right hand side of the road will be completely filled with cars come this Saturday morning. Walk to an area where the field meets woods, and you’ll find race director Jeff Sparks shouting instructions to runners as one group after another make their way to the start line. After taking off, these brave participants will have to not only run, but also jump, climb, crawl, dodge and push their bodies to the absolute limit if they want to cross the finish line. Oh, and you can bet they’ll all be soaking wet if they make it through…

Sparks said that he is expecting a record turnout for the 2016 Lion’s Chase, with upwards of 600 competitors expected to show up on race day. One of those competitors will be Corbin’s own Ben White, who is hoping to successfully defend his crown as last year’s overall champion.

White, 28, is a 2006 graduate of Corbin High School, where he ran track and cross country. He went on to run at Western Kentucky University after high school, and now does custom woodworking in the area.

“I do year-round running and weight lifting to keep myself in shape,” White said when asked about his typical routine. “But for a couple of months leading up to the Lion’s Chase, I’ll increase my hill running in order to help myself prepare for the course.”

White, who competed in triathlons for a couple of years after his time at WKU, finished third in the Lion’s Chase four years ago. He won his first overall title the next year, followed by a runner-up finish the year after that. In 2015, he was able to make it back on top, and that is where he hopes to find himself after this year’s race is complete. He said that he enjoys every aspect of the event, and that it has been “great” to see participation grow each year.

If White does win again, he will be the proud owner of a second championship sword, which Sparks decided three years ago should be the trophy for the runner who finishes with the overall best time. Several awards will be given out based on age groups and other criteria, but only one person will get to walk away with a beautiful sword.

“If I get beat, I get beat,” said White of his expectations for this Saturday. “But if somebody does beat me, I’m going to make them earn it.”

For more information on the 2016 Lion’s Chase, look to their official Facebook page, or visit the official webpage at www.lionschase.com.