Clouds disperse in time for Aiken Spring Steeplechase festivities

Bill Bengtson, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·3 min read

Mar. 25—Umbrellas, sunglasses and festive hats all had a place in Saturday's activities at Richland Avenue and Old Wagener Road, with the 56th running of the Aiken Spring Steeplechase starting out with lightning on the horizon and wrapping up under sunny skies.

"Rain slowed everything and rain complicates everything," in the words of a booster who preferred to remain anonymous, but precipitation came to a halt with about 30 minutes to spare Saturday, allowing racers to race and viewers to view without getting soaked in the process.

"The weather wasn't that great to start out, but what an enjoyable afternoon after the weather let up," said spectator Lex Lowther, who was visiting the relatively new steeplechase facility for the first time, after "years and years" at the previous site.

"We had great neighbors," he added. "We met and introduced and spent time with the neighbors on both sides."

Kyle Hayes, another longtime spectator, made similar comments and also noted that the previous facility, being more compact, had an atmosphere with more camaraderie, and the new arrangement has spectators "a little bit more spread out."

He added, "We were one row back from the rail, but we were able to walk up to the rail to see the races."

Looking to keep mess to a minimum was Norman Dunagan, founder and CEO of Dumpster Depot, a steeplechase sponsor for more than a decade.

"I thought they did a great job," he said, referring to the overall operation. "They're simply getting better every year."

One organizer described the day's attendance as "tens of thousands," and Dunagan confirmed that general expectation. "We're set up for a huge number — probably 25,000. Something like that."

The new arrangement offers some clear advantages from Dunagan's perspective. "We had about 10 days to prepare for the next event, and it will take us probably five to seven days to deconstruct it," he said.

"We used to have to get in in three or four days, and out ... really in three or four days over on Bruce's Field."

He also commented on Saturday's soggy start. "I was afraid that thing wasn't going to be able to be put on today, and right as it got time to get busy, that thing turned out beautiful, and I don't think you could ask for a better event."

Among this year's other major sponsors were such names as Purebred Compost, Honda Cars of Aiken, Budweiser, Cornerstone Wealth, Conceal, Aiken County Farm Supply, Burns McDonnell, Aiken City Lifestyle, Hearing Associates of South Carolina, Sunglass Image, Walmart and AllStar Tents and Events.

Traffic control was a combination of the public and private sectors, with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol and Aiken Department of Public Safety getting support from the Aiken Sertoma Club and other neighbors.

The spring steeplechase was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021, due to COVID-19 fears, but returned in 2022 at the current location, which covers about 140 acres. The prior site, Aiken Horse Park Foundation's Bruce's Field, includes about 64 acres.

The annual event's heritage includes such prominent figures as Thomas Hitchcock, Ford Conger, Willard Thompson, Charlie S. Bird III, MacKenzie Miller, G.H. Bostwick, Paul Mellon and Ambrose Clark. Similar festivities are on the calendar for Nov. 18, with the Aiken Fall Steeplechase set to take place.