March 26, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2014
CONTACTS:
Jason Altman, Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Executive Director, 865-805-2476
Jennifer Lawson, Moxley Carmichael, 865-544-0088
Amy Styles, Covenant Health, 865-437-6599
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Weekend of marathon activities mark 10th annual event
The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon set for Sunday, March 30, marks an important milestone in the event’s history, as 2014 is the 10th anniversary of the race. It has grown to become a weekend-long event, offering a health and fitness exposition open to the public, motivational speakers, kids’ activities, fittest company and school competitions and five competitive races.
Since the inaugural run in 2005, the marathon has gained in participation, sponsors, spectators and reputation, said Jason Altman, executive director, Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon.
“I think that’s a great reflection on the hard work that the Knoxville Track Club, Covenant Health, the City of Knoxville, our many volunteers and others do to make this such a wonderful experience for the runners and for Knoxville,” he said.
Sunday’s field of more than 7,000 runners will be its largest ever, according to Altman. The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is the largest competitive road race in East Tennessee and includes five race events: a 26.2-mile marathon for runners and hand cyclists; 13.1-mile half marathon; four-person and two-person marathon relays; 3.1-mile 5K run; and one-mile Kids Run.
The weekend of events for children, adults and people with disabilities promotes health and fitness while also raising funds that benefit outstanding nonprofit programs, including Covenant Health’s Innovative Recreation Cooperative at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center.
“Covenant Health is proud to sponsor an event that engages the community in a healthy way,” said Tony Spezia, president and CEO of Covenant Health. “As the largest health system in East Tennessee, Covenant Health is committed to improving the quality of life in our region through better health.”
Covenant Health has sponsored the marathon since its beginning. Spezia said he is pleased with the marathon’s growth in participation, as well as its success in promoting good health through fitness.
Covenant Health CEO Tony Spezia, left, listens as Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero speaks at the news conference for the 10th annual Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. At right is Race Director Jason Altman.
Marathon events information:
Registration
Online registration closed March 25. Registration for all events, including the Covenant Kids Run, is available only at the Knoxville Convention & Exhibition Center on Saturday, March 29, starting at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the Kids Run and until 8 p.m. for the other races (except for the two and four-person marathon relays), space permitting.
Start Times & Course
All races start at the Clinch Avenue Viaduct overlooking World’s Fair Park and will finish on the 50-yard line inside Neyland Stadium. On Sunday, March 30, the marathon and half-marathon hand cyclists and wheelchair participants will start at 7:25 a.m.; the marathon, half-marathon and relay races will start at 7:30 a.m.; the 5K will start at 7:45 a.m. The marathon will follow the same course as last year, beginning on the Clinch Avenue Viaduct and winding through the neighborhoods of Fort Sanders, Sequoyah Hills, Fourth & Gill, Parkridge, Island Home and Old Sevier, as well as downtown and the University of Tennessee campus. Live music will accompany runners at 24 different sites along the course, and the Party Boys DJ Show will set up at the start line, finish line and several other locations.
Covenant Kids Run
The 1-mile Covenant Kids Run will start on the Clinch Avenue Viaduct at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. Kids can meet and greet mascots at the starting line at 5:30 p.m.
Health & Fitness Expo
The Health and Fitness Expo will be held in Exhibit Halls 1, 2 and 3 at the Knoxville Convention & Exhibition Center on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Expo is free and open to the public. All event participants are required to pick up their race packets at the Expo.
Post-race Party & Awards
Participants in the Sunday race events are invited to attend the Pilot Flying J post-race party in Neyland Stadium on the concourse near Gate 21 immediately following the races. Awards for the 5K race will be presented at 10 a.m. The awards for the half-marathon will be presented at 11:30 a.m. The awards for the full marathon and relays will be presented at 1 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in the marathon, marathon hand cycle division, marathon wheelchair division and half marathon races.
Fans and Spectator Viewing
Fans can cheer on runners crossing the finish line inside Neyland Stadium and should enter via Gate 21. In addition, there are many excellent spectator sites for photographers and fans along the course. For a course map showing locations and information, visit www.knoxvillemarathon.com.
Post-race Injury Clinics
After the race, Covenant Therapy Centers will offer free post-race Injury Clinics for runners who develop aches, pains, blisters, sprains or other medical concerns. Appointments are not required, and participants must simply bring a photo ID and their bib number to one of the clinic locations during the times specified below. For more information and directions, call 865-541-4500 or visit www.covenanthealth.com/therapycenters.
Monday, March 31: Lenoir City, Fort Loudoun Therapy Center, 3-5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1: Sevierville, LeConte Therapy Services, 10 a.m.-noon
Tuesday, April 1: West Knoxville, Parkwest Therapy Center, 3-5 p.m.
Proceeds
Proceeds from the marathon benefit the Knoxville Track Club’s scholarship and community fitness programs. In addition, a portion of the proceeds benefit Covenant’s Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center’s Innovative Recreation Cooperative (IRC), which encourages people with disabilities to pursue leisure and sports activities, including hand cycling, which is one of the races in the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon.
For more information on these and all marathon events, visit www.knoxvillemarathon.com or call 865-684-4294.
Maria Cornelius
