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Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon announces road closures for race routes

Street and lane closures will occur throughout the center city and surrounding areas for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race events, which will be held March 30-31. All roads are expected to be open by 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 31.

“It’s a good idea to plan your route before you join us for the race events and Health & Fitness Expo,” said Jason Altman, Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race director. “Give yourself plenty of time for travel and parking and then come enjoy all of the fun and inspiring events lined up for Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend.”

The Clinch Avenue Viaduct serves as the start for all races and will be closed to traffic starting at 2 p.m. Saturday until 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Parking will be prohibited on Clinch Avenue between 11th and 16th streets, and vehicles parked on the street will be towed Saturday evening.

On Saturday, the Covenant Kids Run starts at 5:30 p.m., necessitating closures of 11th Street and World’s Fair Park Drive in front of the former Candy Factory building and Knoxville Museum of Art, and periodic closures of Clinch and White avenues between 11th and 13th streets and a small portion of 13th Street between Clinch and White avenues during the run.

The 5K starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday with closures at Clinch Avenue between World’s Fair Park and 16th Street, portions of Volunteer Boulevard, Peyton Manning Pass, Phillip Fulmer Way and James Agee Street until about 8:30 p.m.

On Sunday morning, the marathon will require staggered road closures from 7:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. throughout downtown Knoxville and the following neighborhoods: Fort Sanders, Sequoyah Hills, Fourth & Gill, Parkridge, Island Home and Old Sevier.

Motorists who need to reach Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital on Sunday morning should take Alcoa Highway to the Cumberland Avenue/Kingston Pike exit and enter the Fort Sanders area via 20th Street. Please look for directional signage along this route.

Maps of the courses are available at www.knoxvillemarathon.com.

The details for specific road closures are as follows:

• World’s Fair Park Drive: Closed from start of race until half-marathon passes from 11th Street, then closure is moved to south of parking lot beside the Knoxville Museum of Art; closed on north end by Fort Kid.
• Clinch Avenue Viaduct from Henley to 11th streets: Closed throughout marathon weekend events.
• Clinch Avenue: Closed at the start of marathon, 5K and Covenant Kids Run from 11th to James Agee Street and at end of marathon between Union and to World’s Park Drive.
• James Agee Street: Closed at start of marathon and Covenant Kids Run from Clinch to Cumberland avenues.
• Volunteer Boulevard: Closed for 5K to UT Drive on west end.
• Lake Loudoun Boulevard: Southbound lanes from Todd Helton Lane to Neyland Drive closed for marathon.
• Neyland Drive: Eastbound and westbound lanes closed for marathon from Walnut to Kingston Pike until turnaround is complete.
• Kingston Pike: Eastbound lanes closed between Neyland Drive and Cherokee Boulevard; traffic will be two-way in westbound lanes.
• Cherokee Boulevard: Southbound lanes closed.
• Blows Ferry Road: Westbound lanes closed.
• Alta Vista Way: Northbound lane closed.
• Noelton Drive: Right lane closed from Alta Vista Way to Kingston Pike.
• Kingston Pike: Right lane closed westbound from Noelton Drive to Forest Park Boulevard.
• Forest Park Boulevard: Northbound right lane closed from Kingston Pike to Newcom Avenue.
• Newcom Avenue: Closed from Forest Park Boulevard to Lebanon Street.
• Lebanon Street: Closed from Newcom Avenue to Third Creek Greenway.
• Tyson Park: Closed at Kingston Pike entrance and road closed sign inside Tyson Park at Highway 129 overpass.
• Cumberland Avenue: Right westbound curb lane from Tyson Park to 22nd street.
• 22nd Street: Closed from Forest to Cumberland avenues.
• Forest Avenue: Closed from 17th to 22nd streets; continued closure from 17th Street east to 13th Street.
• Highland Avenue: Eastbound lanes closed from 11th to 13th streets.
• 11th Street: Closed from Highland Avenue to Western Avenue.
• Grand Avenue: Closed between both intersections with World’s Fair Park Drive.
• L and N Station Drive: Closed between World’s Fair Park Drive and Western Avenue.
• Summit Hill Drive: Closed between L and N Station Drive and Gay Street.
• Gay Street: Northbound right lane closed from West Summit Hill Drive to Council Street.
• Magnolia Avenue: Closed between Gay Street and North Central Street.
• Central Street: Closed between Magnolia Avenue and Broadway.
• 3rd Avenue: Closed between North Central Street and Eleanor Street.
• Deery Street: Closed between 4th and Lovenia avenues.
• Lovenia Ave: Closed between Deery and Luttrell streets.
• Luttrell Street: Closed between Lovenia and Wells avenues.
• Wells Avenue: Closed between Lutrell and Eleanor streets.
• Eleanor Street: Closed between Wells and 3rd avenues.
• Fourth Avenue: Closed between Deery to Central streets.
• 5th Avenue: Closed between Hall of Fame Drive and Winona Street.
• Hall of Fame Drive: Closed between the two intersections with 5th Avenue.
• Winona Street: Northbound lane closed between 5th and Washington avenues.
• Washington Avenue: Closed between Winona and N. Bertrand streets.
• Bertrand Street: Closed from Washington to McCalla avenues.
• McCalla Avenue: Closed from N. Bertrand Street to Willow Avenue.
• Willow Avenue: Closed from McCalla Avenue to Patton Street.
• Patton Street: Closed from Willow to Jackson avenues.
• Jackson Avenue: Eastbound lane closed from Patton Street to Central Street.
• Cumberland Avenue: Closed between Central and State streets.
• State Street: Closed between Cumberland Avenue and Hill Avenue.
• Hill Avenue: Closed between State Street and the James White Connector.
• James White Parkway: Closed between State Street Connector to Sevier Avenue ramp.
• Sevier Avenue: Right lane closed from James White Parkway to Island Home Avenue; cones 6-8 feet from westbound curb for runner lane from Island Home Avenue to Council Place.
• Island Home Avenue: Closed from Sevier Avenue to Maplewood Drive; westbound traffic to use Hillwood Drive.
• Council Place: Closed between Sevier Avenue to Gay Street.
• Wall Avenue: Closed between Gay Street and Market Square.
• Union Avenue: Closed between Market Square and Locust Street.
• Locust Street: Closed between Union and Clinch avenues.

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 and walking.

As we approach race day, here is IMPORTANT information for you and your child.

PARKING
There is plenty of free parking near the expo, race start, and race finish. Here are a few options for parking on race weekend.
– Park in a city owned lot or garage. There are several within walking distance of the venue. We recommend both Market Garage and Locust Garage for Saturday.
– 11^th Street Parking Garage. This University of Tennessee owned garage is at the corner of Clinch and 11^th Street and is one block from the start line and two blocks from the finish line.

MANDATORY PACKET PICKUP
Children must pickup their t-shirt, bib, and goody bag at the Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday, March 30.  Hours of the Expo are 9 am – 8 pm at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall.  NOTE: THIS IS A NEW LOCATION FOR US IN 2019!

The address of the Expo is 935 World’s Fair Park Drive.  NOTE: This is across from the Knoxville Convention Center and is located down the escalators from the Holiday Inn at World’s Fair Park.

Feel free to come early and enjoy shopping and sampling from more than 60 exhibitors.

DUPLICATE BIBS
As part of their registration, each child will receive 2 IDENTICAL bibs.  BE SURE AND KEEP THIS DUPLICATE BIB ON YOU AT ALL TIMES.  One bib is for the child to wear for the fun run; the duplicate is for ONE accompanying Parent/Guardian/Relative to wear if they choose to join the child on the course.  If a parent chose to add an additional adult entry to the entry fee of their child (for the additional $5 fee), this enables a second Parent/Guardian/Relative to accompany the child on the course.  This additional bib, which reads “PARENT” and has the child’s information on it, will also be available for pickup during Packet Pickup at the Health and Fitness Expo.  (NOTE: If you did not choose to have an additional entry for a second Parent/Guardian/Relative to accompany during preregistration, you may purchase this additional bib at the Expo for $5).

If a parent does not want to accompany their child on the course but will meet him/her at the finish line at World’s Fair Park, the parent STILL NEEDS to hold onto the duplicate bib.  This will be their ticket to access the Festival Lawn and meet their child in the Parent/Child Reunite Area (see “Parent/Child Reunite Area at World’s Fair Park” Section below).

NOTE: No child will be allowed to leave the lawn at World’s Fair Park Festival Lawn unless they have been checked by the Knoxville Police Department to have a matching bib with an accompanying parent or guardian.

Please keep in mind that only registered children will receive a t-shirt, goody bag, and finisher’s medal for the Covenant Kids Run.  (Parents do not receive these items too)

PRE-RACE ACTIVITIES INCLUDING GROUP PHOTOS
4:30 pm – PHOTOS AT WFP AMPHITHEATER – Join us at 4:30 pm at the Amphitheater in World’s Fair Park for group photos/school photos.  Our photographers will be on hand to assist and organize the schools.  The Amphitheater is just outside the doors of the Expo and visible from the Start Line on the Clinch Avenue Bridge.

5:15 pm – START LINE – Children and families will need to head to the Start Line on the Clinch Avenue Bridge by 5:15 pm.  Children will then line up in their respective wave in preparation for the start of the race.

KIDS RUN COURSE FOR 2019!
This year’s Covenant Kids Run will start at 5:30 pm at the Clinch Avenue Bridge (same start line as the Sunday marathon).  The course will head west on Clinch Avenue, turn right on World’s Fair Park Drive, turn left on 11^th Street, turn right on Clinch Ave, turn left on 13^th Street, turn left on White Ave, turn left on 11^th, turn right on Clinch, turn right on World’s Fair Park Drive to the finish. Click below for a course map:

https://knoxvillemarathon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Covenant-Kids-Run-2019.pdf?x80935

WAVE START
Children will start in waves according to age; oldest to youngest.  Approximate start times are as follows:

5:30 pm – 5^TH, 6^TH, 7^th and 8^th Graders
5:32 pm – 4^th Graders
5:34 pm – 3^rd Graders
5:36 pm – 2^nd Graders
5:38 pm – 1^st Graders
5:40 pm – Kindergarten and younger

PARENT/CHILD REUNITE AREA AT WORLD’S FAIR PARK
For safety reasons, parents and participants will immediately be directed through the finish chute to the designated reunite location on the Festival Lawn at World’s Fair Park.   This area is for parents who are not running with their child, but instead will meet him or her on the field after the child’s finish.  There will be LIMITED ACCESS to the field and parents MUST have the duplicate bib (as referenced in the section above) or “PARENT” Bib in order to gain access to the Parent/Child Reunite Area on the field.

Before parents and children exit the festival lawn via the exit on the southwest corner of the lawn, volunteers will check to make sure that the bib number on the child and the bib number on the parent are an exact match.  The Knoxville Police Department will patrol and assist in this exit area.

STROLLERS
Strollers will be allowed for the Covenant Kids Run (Strollers are NOT allowed for any of the Sunday races).  For the safety of all participants, parents with strollers MUST line up in the very back of the last wave.

FITTEST SCHOOL CHALLENGE
Thanks to a sponsorship by Regal, we are proud to award $5,600 to area schools through our 2019 Fittest School Challenge.  The Fittest School Challenge is a competition between area elementary schools that awards winners based upon percentage of participation.  Each child that participates in the March 30, 2019 Covenant Kids Run will earn one point for their school.  We will tally up each school’s respective points and divide that by the total enrollment of that school to determine their participation percentage.  To find out more, including the breakdown of prize money to be awarded, visit this page:

https://knoxvillemarathon.com/covenant-kids-run/

FUN!
Finally, HAVE FUN!  We are looking forward to seeing you and your child on Saturday, March 30!

It’s the BIG ONE! Join us this Saturday, March 9, for our next training group run at lululemon Knoxville at 8 am. Suggested routes for marathoners is 20 miles; 10 miles for half marathoners.
To preview 20 mile route:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7348323

To preview 10 mile route:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7348324

Final instructions for 2-Person Relay teams and 4-Person Relay teams are now posted. Click here to view the instructions today!

As you know, all events of the 2019 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend will finish at World’s Fair Park. Here are the details to what was have lined up for you!

Music!

On Saturday March 30th, Dave Landeo and Tod Sheley will perform on the stage at World’s Fair Park – just steps from the Finish Line! This acoustic duo performs a variety of good time sing-along covers and originals. Dave, now residing in Charleston, SC and Tod Sheley, from Knoxville bring back the acoustic duo that performed all around the Knoxville area for years back in the day….also performing at venues in Key West, Cincinnati & Atlanta. Co-writers of the song “Colorado Sky”, they will bring new material to this special show. Saturday night after the 5K from 7:30 pm – 10 pm on the Festival Lawn at the World’s Fair Site will be a great time!

On Sunday March 31st, Dave Landeo & The Sol Beats will perform on the stage! Dave and Knoxville musicians Joe Thompson (sax), Michael Hulsey (trumpet), Vic Ilagan (drums) & Vince Ilagan (bass) will be performing on stage at the Festival Lawn at the World’s Fair Park from 9 am to 1 pm. The band performs a mixture of dance tunes, high energy rock, and soul pop covers and originals. It’ll be a big after-race celebration for all the runners, family & friends. Free and Open to the Public.

Beer!

At this year’s event, Calhoun’s Restaurant will be serving up beer from their world famous microbrewery, Smoky Mountain Brewery! They will serve beer on Saturday after the 5K (7 pm – 9:30 pm) and again on Sunday (10 am – 3 pm). Each registered participant, 21 and older, will receive a ticket for one complimentary beer. Calhoun’s will also be selling beer for family members, spectators, or participants wanting a second beer. (Participants under the age of 21 will not receive a beer ticket).

Food Trucks!

We have arranged for Food Trucks to join us on both Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31, including two of Knoxville’s favorites – Forks on the Road and Penne For Your Thoughts! They’ll be selling food to spectators, family members, or participants who are looking for more than the provided post-race food that comes with your entry.

You will not want to miss this year’s post-race celebration!