Author: Jason Altman

Double amputee marathon runner Rob Jones to speak at Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Health & Fitness Expo

U.S. Marines veteran completed 31 marathons in 31 cities in 31 days 

Rob Jones, a U.S. Marines veteran and double amputee who completed his goal of running 31 marathons in 31 cities in 31 days in 2017, will be the featured speaker for the Health & Fitness Expo, part of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend March 30-31.

Jones will share his inspirational stories at the Health & Fitness Expo at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. The expo, which takes place from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., is a high-energy event featuring fitness, sports, wellness and nutrition exhibitors. The event is free to attend, and open to the public and race participants. Jones’ appearance is sponsored by Prestige Cleaners, Prestige Tuxedo and Eddie Mannis for Mayor.

“Rob Jones’ story is one that will both amaze and inspire everyone who hears it,” Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Race Director Jason Altman said. “His dedication to push himself to excel after such a life-changing injury, paired with his goals of raising funds to support veteran causes, is uplifting – and motivating for each personal challenge and race ahead. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to hear from a real American hero.”

In 2008, Jones served in Habbaniyah, Iraq, with the U.S. Marines Corps. In 2010, he deployed to the cities of Delaram and Sangin in Afghanistan. While attempting to clear an area believed to contain an improvised explosive device (IED), Jones was wounded in action by a landmine. The traumatic injury resulted in the amputation of both of his legs above the knee.

Jones underwent intensive rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and was fitted with prosthetics. He then began rowing, biking and running. He earned a bronze medal in rowing in the Paralympics in 2012 with his rowing partner, Oksana Masters; completed a 5,180-mile bike ride across the United States from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Camp Pendleton, California, in 2014 to raise $126,000 for wounded veterans; and finished his goal of running 31 marathons in 31 cities in 31 days in 2017, raising more than $200,000 for organizations that assist veterans and honor first responders.

The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend takes place at World’s Fair Park and will include a post-race festival. In addition to the full marathon, the event also features a half-marathon, two- and four-person relays, 5K and Covenant Kids Run.

The Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday, March 30, also is the location for mandatory packet pickup for all race participants. Each participant must bring a photo ID in order to receive bib, timing chip, T-shirt, goody bag and other instructions. There is no Sunday packet pickup.

The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon recently was named best marathon in Tennessee by “Runner’s Goal.” For more information and to register for the 2019 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon races, visit www.knoxvillemarathon.com.

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 and walking.

Our next group run will meet this Saturday, January 26, at New Balance at 8 am. The good folks at New Balance Knoxville will be offering 20% off of shoes and 30% off of apparel for group run attendees!

Mileage options are 14 miles (marathoners) and 7.5 miles (half marathoners). To preview the suggeted group run routes:
14 mile – http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7335360
7.5 mile – http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7335356

This Saturday’s group run will meet at the NEW Eddie’s Health Shoppe Downtown at 8 am. Recommended mileage for marathoners is 13 miles and 5 miles for half marathoners. See maps here:

13 miles – https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/m/?r=7331535&rf=1

5 miles – https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7331141

Race officials have released the new course map for the 2019 marathon, marathon relay and half marathon events. Courses for the 5K and Covenant Kids Run will be released after the start of the year.

“The new course map is posted on the website for runners anxious to review it,” Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Race Director Jason Altman said. “Most of the changes affect the second half of the marathon route, but we still visit all the scenic, iconic Knoxville neighborhoods that make this race special. Of course, all races this year will enjoy a new finish line in World’s Fair Park with a festive after party on the lawn with music, food trucks, beer and more.”

To view the 2019 marathon map, click here.

 
On September 21, 2018, the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon presented a total of $10,000 in grants to five local organizations to support health living in East Tennessee.

Grant recipients include Girls on the Run of Greater Knoxville, Knoxville Sled Bears, Bike Elf, Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge and PJ Parkinson’s.

“These five programs make a difference in the community’s overall health and well-being” Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Race Director Jason Altman said. “Reinvesting in our community is part of the mission of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, and we applaud these groups for the work they do every day to encourage a better quality of life.”

Girls on the Run of Greater Knoxville received $3,000 for its “Limitless Potential” campaign, which provides scholarships at schools that serve at-risk children. The scholarships are used for enrollment of girls in grades 3-8 in a transformational youth development and physical activity program.

The Knoxville Sled Bears received $2,600 to help provide individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play hockey and engage in a team sport. The funds will be used to purchase the necessary equipment.

Bike Elf received $1,750 to help provide bicycles to children and young adults in East Tennessee who might not otherwise have access to one. The funds will cover the cost of parts and materials to refurbish donated bicycles.

Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge received $1,650 to help support its “Healthy Habits, Healthy Lives” program. The funds will provide participants with wellness resources and participation incentives and help cover the cost and supplies of smoking cessation classes.

PJ Parkinson’s Support Group of Blount County received $1,000 to support its ballroom dance class initiative for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and those facing dementia. The group partners with the Alzheimer’s Association to provide the classes to adults free of charge.

Although 2018 was the fifth year for the Community Contribution Program, the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon and the Knoxville Track Club have a long-standing history of reinvesting in the community. From 2005 – 2018, $170,000 has been contributed to support projects such as mile markers for local city and county greenways, land acquisition and building trails in South Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, and a golf cart to patrol and clean the greenways. Past recipients include East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Legacy Parks Foundation, Young-Williams Animal Center, Ijams Nature Center, YWCA Knoxville, Knox County Schools, The Muse Knoxville, and Keep Knoxville Beautiful. An additional $39,331 has been given to the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center Innovative Recreation Cooperative, 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.