This year’s Franklin Half Marathon to take a ‘Hillbilly’ turn

Organizers are pleased to announce that the fourth running of the Franklin Half Marathon will have a new look this year and a new name.

Scheduled for Saturday, June 4, in Leiper’s Fork, the race has officially changed its name to the Hillbilly Half Marathon, due to the popularity of the heckling “hillbilly” pickers that surprised runners in last year’s race.

The humorous viral video, shot by Leiper’s Fork resident April Cantrell, has been viewed more than three million times on Facebook and YouTube and was featured in several local and national media outlets.

The video shows runners on Bailey Road, just before the turn-around point that sends them back to Leiper’s Creek. The hecklers played the iconic tune fromDeliverance while shouting suggestive taunts reminiscent of the 1972 thriller.

While the term “hillbilly” may generally have a negative connotation, it has also been embraced by self-identified hillbillies and can be a term of endearment or even pride. In fact, the name change was brought forward by the Leiper’s Fork community.

Read more at Williamson Herald.