Leveraging Chattanooga's Outside magazine win as America's "Best Town Ever," city officials on Thursday unveiled what they envision as a world-class marathon race.
Next March, the city will host an expected 5,000 runners, 1,500 from outside the area, in the first Chattanooga Marathon and then grow the event from that point.
To sign up
Online registration for the Chattanooga Marathon opens in July. For information on sponsorships and registration, go to chattanoogamarathon.com.
Chattanooga Marathon logo"It will enhance the image of the city and advance the brand," said Bob Doak, the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's chief executive.
Tim Morgan, Chattanooga Sports Committee president, said the 26.2-mile route through downtown and nearby neighborhoods was produced by area runners "who know the runner demographic." He said the route is unlike any such race run before in the city.
The marathon will start near the Tennessee Aquarium and stretch between St. Elmo and North Chattanooga before finishing around Finley Stadium. A half-marathon, 5K race, team relay and kids run also will be hosted during the March 4-6 event, officials said.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said the marathon will give the city added name recognition, and he related it to the world-famous Boston Marathon.
"It adds and contributes to the $1 billion economy we have in tourism," he said about the Chattanooga race.
Mayor Andy Berke said companies in the city's emerging downtown Innovation District, which will include a mix of startup firms and business incubators, could have runners test equipment during the race.
Companies that have new equipment related to sports and endurance could showcase the products, he said.
The timing in March was fixed because tourism in Chattanooga at that time of year is slow and the weather is typically good, officials said.
However, this past early March saw overnight lows in the 20s and some freezing rain and light snow in areas of Hamilton County.
In addition, while the marathon route shows runners passing through city neighborhoods, itw's not known how some residents may react to the intrusion.
But, Berke said Chattanooga has "phenomenal neighborhoods who want to be part of events."
"We'll take people through the fantastic neighborhoods" which will help make the race special, the mayor said.
Doak said that one of the characteristics of great cities is that they "dream big, think big and build big." Also, he said, such cities have great attractions, venues and events.
"Nobody can ever take it away," he added of the Chattanooga Marathon. Just last month, after a three-year run in Chattanooga, USA Cycling announced the Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial Championships will move to Winston-Salem, N.C.
Still, earlier this month, Chattanooga was named a two-time winner of Outside magazine's Best Town title, defeating Port Angeles, Wash.
"The best town ever deserves world-class events," Berke said.
He said that after last September's Ironman competition in Chattanooga, one of its executives told him the city "has as good resources as any place in America."
Morgan said plans are to make the Chattanooga Marathon "best in class."
"Let's plant the acorn and grow it into an oak," he said.
City and county officials said that, while the budget for the race isn't nailed down, the city, county, the convention and visitors bureau and sports committee are expected to contribute directly or through in-kind support.
"We anticipate this will be low risk, high return," Doak said.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.