You don't have to be a runner to take part in this weekend's Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon Race.
While the third annual marathon and half marathon take place on the north end of Broad Street near the Tennessee Aquarium, there will be live music, food and an expo happening in First Tennessee Pavilion for the public to come down and enjoy at no charge.
The Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, is an annual event to benefit Hamilton County and Chattanooga. Race Weekend is a nonprofit event that showcases the city as a family-friendly destination while also providing a quality product for its residents. It's based on a seven-point plan: run a professional event, engage the community, promote health and wellness, drive sports tourism, showcase the city as an outdoor destination, highlight the local music scene and engage local corporations.
Three of five races in Erlanger Marathon Race Weekend will begin at Broad Street and Aquarium Way. (Contributed Photo)The fun starts Friday night, March 2, at 5 p.m. in First Tennessee Pavilion on Carter Street with the Michelob Ultra Race Weekend Concert kickoff.
The Packway Handle Band from Atlanta will play its high-energy show of bluegrass, Americana and folk to get folks pumped for race day.
There will be an expo of local vendors featuring a variety of health- and fitness-related products, as well as a Michelob Ultra beer trailer. The opening party continues until 7 p.m.
On Saturday, March 3, two runs start from the pavilion: the Classic 150 5K at 9 a.m. and the Children's Hospital at Erlanger Kid's Fun Run, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, at 11 a.m.
The kids' fun run will be free to the first 500 children to register, sponsored by Truck N Trailers USA. As of press time, that number was nearly full. All registered children receive a medal, race bag, bib, T-shirt and cape.
Local musicians will be featured Sunday, March 4, in the pavilion beginning with Spinster at 8:30 a.m. Spinster is comprised of three sisters who jump between mandolin, washboard, upright bass and glockenspiel to play current hits.
Local singer-songwriter Toby Hewitt takes the stage at 9:30 a.m. followed by Kofi Mawuko and Ogya World Music Band at 11:30 a.m. The post-race party in the pavilion will continue to 3 p.m.
For more information: www.chattanoogamarathon.com
ERLANGER CHATTANOOGA MARATHON
RACE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
» Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St.
» Friday, March 2 3-7 p.m. Packet Pickup 4-7 p.m. Michelob Ultra Happy Hour Experience 5-7 p.m. Free live music
» Saturday, March 3 7-8:30 a.m. Registration/packet pickup for Classic 150 5K 9 a.m. Classic 150 5K 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Packet pickup/registration if available 10 a.m. Classic 150 5K Awards 11 a.m. Kids' Fun Run
» Sunday, March 4 5:30-6:30 a.m. Emergency packet pickup in pavilion 9 a.m. Music begins 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Expo in pavilion 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Post-race party and awards
» For more information: www.chattanoogamarathon.com
RACES AND LOCATIONS
Marathon
» When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, March 4
» Where: Starts from Broad Street and Aquarium Way
» Registration fee: $95 The marathon course was designed by a group of local distance runners. The 26.2-mile course is designed to be a great experience for the first-time or experienced marathon runner. Approximate elevation gain is 1,200 feet.
Half Marathon
» When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, March 4
» Where: Starts from Broad Street and Aquarium Way
» Registration fee: $75 This course was designed by the same group of runners who designed the marathon route. This 13.1-mile course is extremely runnable with some good flat stretches and a few hills thrown in for good measure. The course is centered in the downtown, university and Southside districts. Approximate elevation gain is 664 feet.
Team Relay
» When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, March 4
» Where: Starts from Broad Street and Aquarium Way
» Registration fee: $180 The Team Relay is designed to give teams of two to four members a chance to run the same 26.2-mile course as everyone else, but each runner will only run a portion of the course. Each leg will be between six and seven miles. Team members will be shuttled to the exchange points along the course.
Classic 150 5K
» When: 9 a.m. Saturday, March 3
» Where: Finley Stadium
» Registration fee: $30 The Classic 150 5K course was designed for local and regional runners, as well as friends and family of visiting marathon runners.