2020 CHKM Shifts Course to Virtual Format

                      

2020 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon shifts course to virtual format

Prioritizing community health and safety, the 16th annual Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon events are moving 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 move to a virtual Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon event helps ensure the health and safety of our community, runners and volunteers,” said Jason Altman, race director of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. “Additionally, it’s our responsibility to follow local government mandates and regulations that do not make in-person events of this size feasible at this time. While we can’t run together in downtown Knoxville, we can take steps to prioritize health and fitness wherever we are and join together in spirit to continue this iconic event reimagined for current times.”

The virtual races will allow registrants to participate within a flexible time frame throughout the week of Nov. 7-15.

“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.”

The virtual event will include the Covenant Kids Run, 5K, half marathon, marathon, and relay events, and participants will be able to upload their results via the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon website. In early November, the start line, mile markers and finish line for all courses will be painted. Registrants can use the markers to run the actual route during the 9-day virtual race period, or they can complete their run or walk at their preferred location, such as in a neighborhood, on a greenway trail or on a treadmill.

In addition to virtual training logs and custom digital race bibs, social media will be used to connect virtually, share photos, post personal records, and provide support and encouragement leading up to and during the 9-day event window. Connect with Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon on Facebook, @chknoxmarathon on Twitter and via @knoxvillemarathon on Instagram.

As additional details of the event are confirmed, updates will be posted to the race website at www.knoxvillemarathon.com.

New participants can register for the virtual event at knoxvillemarathon.com starting Sept. 15. Participants who already have registered for the 2020 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon may participate in 2020 virtual event, defer their registration to 2021 race (the date is not yet confirmed), receive a refund for the registration fee, or donate the registration fee to the Knoxville Track Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Race participants will receive more information via email regarding how to select an option in the coming days.

For more information, visit www.knoxvillemarathon.com or call 888-217-5635.

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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.

 

Join us for the Summer Distance Challenge!

Join the Knoxville Track Club for a Virtual Summer Distance Challenge that will highlight the greenways and trails in the City of Knoxville and Knox County!

Start Date: June 20, 2020
End Date: September 22, 2020

We have created a Virtual Tour throughout Knoxville and Knox County that will highlight many of the paved greenways and natural trails within the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Finish our tour once to complete 225 miles or twice for the ultimate goal of 450 miles!

Simply run, walk, or hike your mileage over the course of the summer (June 20 – September 22) and log your miles online as you go. You do not need to exercise in Knoxville, Knox County or on our highlighted tour; you are welcome to log miles anywhere you desire! Registered participants can submit virtual results daily through their Runsignup.com account. Distance is required, time is optional. Virtual results will be accepted starting on June 20.

Each registrant will receive an official “Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Summer Distance Challenge” shirt, finisher’s buff, and finisher’s medal! Swag can be picked up locally at Eddie’s Health Shoppe or shipped to you for an additional $5. We will notify registrants when swag is ready for pickup or shipment.

For more information or to register, click here!

2020 CHKM Sets New Date for 2020 Races

2020 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Sets New Date for 2020 Races
We are thrilled to announce that we have rescheduled the 2020 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon to the weekend of November 14-15.

The Covenant Kids Run will take place on Saturday, November 14 at 4:30 pm.
The marathon, half marathon, 2-person relay, and 4-person relay will start on Sunday, November 15, at 7:30 am. They will be followed by the Covenant Health 5K, which will begin at 7:45 am.

As of now, all registered participants are automatically registered for the November 14-15 race weekend. We understand that this date may not work for participants already registered for our March 2020 race weekend. As a result, we will offer four options to currently registered participants:

1. Participate in the November 14-15 race weekend.

2. Defer your entry to the 2021 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon at no charge.

3. Receive a refund for the registration fee.

4. Donate the registration fee to the Knoxville Track Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

All registered participants will receive an email with instructions to activate their choice.

We ask that you select the option that fits you best by May 1, 2020 so we can begin planning for our November date accordingly. If you select no option and allow the deadline to pass, you will automatically be entered in the rescheduled November 14-15, 2020 event.

We would like to thank leaders with Covenant Health, the City of Knoxville and its Special Events office, the Knoxville Police Department, Mayor Kincannon’s office, the Knoxville Track Club, and a dozen other community partners for making this postponement a reality. We also want to thank you, our participants, for remaining patient and understanding as we navigated this process during an unprecedented time in our lives. There is so much going on in the world right now, but we hope that this announcement brings some hope and positivity to you and something to look forward to in the weeks and months ahead.

Group Run to Meet at Runners Market on Saturday, March 7!

This Saturday’s group run will meet at Runners Market (4443 Kingston Pike) at 8 am. It’s the big one!
Suggested routes include 20 miles for marathoners, 10 miles for half marathoners.

20 mile route:
http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=785800

10 mile route:
http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=785802

The good folks at Runners Market will have the following specials for us:
10% off of shoes
Specials on nutrition and energy products
Specials on Runners Market Branded items
Drawing for prizes