It originally opened as Thunder Run in August 1990 and operated until October 2009, when the park was abandoned by its then-operators, Six Flags.

[1] As part of the reopening the new operators added a collection of new rides including Thunder Run, which opened in August 1990.

[2] Early in Thunder Run's operating life, one of the cars uncoupled while climbing the lift hill and the ride's lap bars were found to be unsafe.

On February 4, 2010, amid a corporate bankruptcy, Six Flags closed the park due to the rejection of an amended lease by the Kentucky State Fair Board.

[5] Eventually, on June 27, 2013, a group of investors led by Ed Hart negotiated an agreement to reopen the park with a planned investment of $50 million.

[6] Rocky Mountain Construction was hired to refurbish the coaster,[7] resulting in replacement of the existing wooden track.

[8][9] On October 10, 2013, Kentucky Kingdom invited members of the media and amusement industry to ride the refurbished Thunder Run.

[2][16] In 1993 and 1994, Thunder Run was cited by Amusement Business as the "Most Terrifying Roller Coaster" on a top 10 list.

"[18] In 2007, the Lexington Herald-Leader described the ride as having "a few nice drops and that jerky, clicking wooden coaster feel that some people love, but it never gets too wild.

"[9] In Amusement Today's annual Golden Ticket Awards, Woodland Run appeared four times between 2001 and 2004.