November 2, 2020
The Knoxville community is warming up for the first-ever virtual format of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon from Nov. 7-15.
Prioritizing community health and safety, the 16th annual Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon events moved to a virtual format to avoid the potential spread of COVID-19 and allow runners to safely participate while achieving their personal goals in 2020. The virtual races allow registrants to participate within a flexible time frame throughout the nine-day period.
City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, Covenant Health CEO Jim VanderSteeg and Race Director Jason Altman announce plans for the 2020 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon virtual race events at a press conference at World’s Fair Park on Nov. 2, 2020.
“Moving to a virtual race format will be a first for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon and the best way to move forward so the community can participate safely,” Covenant Health CEO Jim VanderSteeg said. “With every step, our runners, volunteers, sponsors and organizers have embraced necessary changes and offered creative solutions to enjoy this annual tradition. We appreciate the support and encourage everyone to stay healthy and keep moving. We’re looking forward to seeing how everyone finishes their race – regardless of when, where, how far or how fast – as long as you meet your personal goal.”
Race packet pickup for participants of all virtual race events is available Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, from 1-5 p.m. at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall at 935 World’s Fair Park Drive inside Exhibit Hall 1. Masks are required for picking up packets, and social distancing measures will be observed. Race packets for runners include their bibs, shirts, medals and other materials as applicable per their registered race event.
Online registration for the virtual Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon remains open now through Nov. 15 at knoxvillemarathon.com/register. Participants who register after Nov. 8 may contact the marathon office to make arrangements to receive their race packet.
The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon also needs volunteers Nov. 2-8 to help package and distribute the race packets. All volunteers will be required to wear masks, undergo no-contact temperature checks, regularly wash and sanitize their hands and practice social distancing. Volunteers can complete online registration at knoxvillemarathon.com/volunteers-spectators and choose a day and time that best works for their schedules.
“While we can’t gather all together for race day, we still need help from the community to make the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon events run smoothly and support the participants preparing to walk, jog or run their race in a virtual format,” said Jason Altman, race director for Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. “We look forward to joining our community in spirit and making the race experience a success for everyone, and we know the Volunteer Spirit in Knoxville will help us achieve this goal.”
For more information, visit knoxvillemarathon.com or call 888-217-5635.
About Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon
The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is a premier event organized by the Knoxville Track Club, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the encouragement of physical well-being through running, jogging, competitive road racing, race-walking, fun runs, cross-country and track and field. Covenant Health is a community-owned health system providing comprehensive services in Tennessee. The health system includes 10 hospitals; outpatient services and clinics; behavioral, oncology and rehabilitation services; home care; physician practices and community programs. Covenant Health has more than 10,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, and has been named a “Best Employer” six times by Forbes magazine.
