Radio Ron Chilton now oldest finisher of the Dollywood Light the Way 5K

Radio Ron Chilton was all smiles after finishing the Light The Way 5K at Dollywood Friday night. (Dollywood Photo)

I’ve known Ron Chilton a long, long time and he’s one of the most interesting people I know. His handle on Twitter is “Radio Ron” because of his extensive radio background and in recent years he’s become well known for his athletic prowess in señor games and 5K runs. He’s now 86 years old.

Chilton, an avid University of Kentucky sports fan who now lives in Louisville, participated in the Light The Way 5K at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN., on Friday and it was a night to remember.

The run starts at 11 p.m. and goes through the popular amusement part so participants can see the Christmas lights in a unique way.

“The lights were spectacular and bedazzled us as we ran through the park. The organizers were all very helpful and courteous,” Chilton said. “The guy who gave me my number said, ‘So you are the famous Radio Ron?’ I felt good at the first-mile mark as I gazed at the season displays. At the two-mile mark, I started to feel some fatigue.”

At 2 1/2 miles, he said his lungs started to “burn” from sucking in the cold air but he got a boost when a race volunteer yelled, “You got this.”

Chilton passed a runner about the three-mile mark and once he saw the finish line he sprinted to complete his run.

Chilton, a Danville native, admitted it was cold and he was “chilled to the bone” during the 3.1-mile run Friday night along with over 500 other participants. However, he warmed up after the run during the awards ceremony in the main theater.

“The announcer got up to the 70-74 age group where he gave the times for the three finishers in that age group and then I was waiting for the 75-79 and the 80-84 category. Nothing,” Chilton said.

“Finally he said, “We have a new category this year … 85 and above and the gold medal goes to Radio Ron Chilton. I walked up to the podium and the lady gave me a big HUG and said, ‘Say hello to Larry.'”

That was Ellen Liston, Dollywood publicist. I had reached out to her after I told Chilton I thought he would enjoy this event. I wondered what age the oldest Light the Way 5K finisher had been and she said if Radio Ron came he would be the oldest. That’s when Dollywood officials decided to add the 85 and up age division for Chilton.

Now Chilton says this was a “night I shall always remember” because of the spectacular lights and the love the Dollywood staff showed him.

Next up — I want to get Chilton to Stanford the Jingle Bell Jog Dec. 5 where he would also become the oldest finisher in this unique event where you pick up a Christmas present on the course.