Laura Powell crossed the finish line of the 7 Bridges Marathon on Sunday morning at Coolidge Park, having just completed her first 26.2-mile race.
The 23-year-old Atlanta resident finished in an astonishing third place overall.
Though improbable, the high finish encapsulated the spirit of a race geared toward non-elite athletes. There are no cash prizes or comped entries for top runners. The course is full of first-time racers like Powell and others looking to enjoy the race-day atmosphere in a scenic city while working on a healthy lifestyle.
“I’ve ran a couple of really big races,” said Powell, who has competed in half-marathons and other events. “But I really loved the size of this one. It’s like we’re all just coming to hang out and run, which is really nice.”
At the finish, athletes boasted their new water bottles, T-shirts, towels and medals that came with each registration. Professional photographers snapped shots of participants that would be later available to racers. Families took their own photos at the finish line in front of the North Shore’s Blue Rhino sculpture with the Bluff View Art District and downtown Chattanooga across the river in the background.