Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon
For more information or to register, visit chattanoogamarathon.com.
Organizers of the inaugural Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon have purchased 3,500 medals to award to finishers of the various races that will be a part of the March 5-6 race weekend. But they are still working to attract a full field of runners.
With the starting gun just over two weeks away, Chattanooga Sports Committee President Tim Morgan on Monday said, based on the current number of registrants, 600-800 racers are expected for the full marathon and 1,200-1,500 for the half marathon.
An additional 250 have signed up for the 5K on March 5, and officials are prepared for up to 500 race-day registrants in that race, Morgan said.
If the estimates prove accurate, the field would be comparable to the popular Seven Bridges Marathon, which had close to 3,000 registrants and 2,411 finishers across its 5K, half and full marathons in October.
Officials set an initial goal of 5,000 runners when announcing the Chattanooga Marathon this summer. But Morgan said the race infrastructure has been the primary emphasis in planning what officials hope will one day be a marquee event for the city and draw 10,000-plus runners.
"Right now, we're positioned to lose a little bit of money on it this year," he said. "But that's why we're making the investment on the front end. We want to do this right."
A festive atmosphere is shaping up at the finish line. The weekend's races will end on Reggie White Boulevard next to the First Tennessee Pavilion, where about 40 vendors are expected set up shop as part of a race expo.
"It's amazing how many local people and businesses are participating," said Chattanooga Track Club race director Jenni Berz, who is helping organize the expo. The track club is one of the marathon's founding partners.
Berz said the expo will highlight the city's entrepreneurial spirit and tech offerings in addition to running. Morgan said prices have been kept low at the expo to attract vendors.
"We're trying to create a product that showcases our city to runners who are not from here that will make locals proud to be from here," Morgan said, adding that 33 percent of registrants are from outside a 90-mile radius of the Scenic City.
"We're selling a vision," he added, "and the time is creeping on us to make this happen. We're ready."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.