September 16, 2025 - The “Coal Dust Run” returned this past Saturday to kick off the King Coal Festival. Just as years past, the run had volunteers throwing “coal dust” on the runners or walkers as participants took laps around Williamson.

As always, running was optional and so was being covered in dust as the Tug Valley Road Runners Club said that walking is also accepted because they just want people to get moving.

Though participation was not required, the road runners club had many volunteers to help with the throwing of the dust and encouraged people to come out to cheer on the participants.

The 2025 Coal Dust Run would see crowds of people covered in black from head to toe as they crossed the finish line and were greeted to applause and cheers. Keelyn Perry and Rylen Rash crossed the finish line first to take the male and female first place overall awards home.

To many this is the kickoff for the King Coal Festival that will have events scattered through the week following the run capping off with the biggest day of the festival on Saturday, Sept. 20.

“This evening was our 11th Annual Coal Dust 5k,” Selena Ferguson of the Tug Valley Road Runners Club said. “We had a wonderful turn out this evening and lots of new faces out this evening. We loved seeing everyone. Thanks to our volunteers, and thanks to the Williamson Fire Department for doing traffic control.”