Music sets the beat for Chattanooga Marathon runners

New local band Dr. B & The Ease will be among the entertainers during the inaugural Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. The musicians — Noel Holland, Brandon Michaels, Jeremy Miller and Rico Moore — are scheduled to play at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at First Tennessee Pavilion.
New local band Dr. B & The Ease will be among the entertainers during the inaugural Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. The musicians — Noel Holland, Brandon Michaels, Jeremy Miller and Rico Moore — are scheduled to play at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at First Tennessee Pavilion.

Runs at a glance

› Classic 150 5K: 9 a.m. Saturday at Finley Stadium, $35.› Kids Fun Run: 11 a.m. Saturday at Finley Stadium, $15.› Marathon: 8 a.m. Sunday from Broad Street and Aquarium Way, $150.› Half Marathon: 8 a.m. Sunday from Broad Street and Aquarium Way, $80.› Team Relay: 8 a.m. Sunday from Broad Street and Aquarium Way, sold out. Also read With months to live, one Chattanooga man battles cancer and this weekend's half marathon

There's a big race this weekend with a big name: the Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

It's not even one race, really, but four - a marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), team relay (in which teams of two to four runners complete the 26.2-mile course) and the Classic 150 5K (3.1 miles) - plus a noncompetitive fun run for kids.

This is the first year for the run, which will follow roundabout courses through downtown from the Tennessee River to the base of Lookout Mountain. Traffic will be affected mostly around Finley Stadium, 1826 Carter St., on Saturday, March 5, during the 5K and kids run. The premiere events on Sunday, March 6, will alter traffic flow in additional areas, from the riverfront to Riverview to St. Elmo.

Organizers have posted information on the race website, www.ChattanoogaMarathon.com, for the best places for spectators to gather.

Bonuses for nonrunners include free events at First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. The Health, Fitness and Technology Expo will be open 1-7 p.m. Friday, March 4, and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 5. Musical entertainment is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 5, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, March 6.

Entertainment schedule

Saturday, March 511 a.m. Danimal Pinson (electronic rock)Noon. Ryan Oyer Band (folk music by the 2015 Road to Nightfall winners)1 p.m. Courtney Reid (rhythm & blues)2 p.m. Davey Smith and the Pearl Snap Preachers (honky-tonk sounds from a band fronted by a Best Country Singer of Chattanooga winner)3 p.m. Dr. B & The Ease (funky originals and select covers from a new local band)4 p.m. The Power Players (a mix rocking blues, electric funk, jazz, classic rock and Motown soul)Sunday, March 69 a.m. Christie Burns & Co. (a group fronted by a multi-instrumentalist who specializes in hammer dulcimer)10 a.m. Lon Eldridge (acoustic blues played on fingerstyle guitar)Noon. Zach Ovington Trio (ensemble led by a singer and multi-instrumentalist with folk, bluegrass and jazz influences)

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