Making a Difference with Every Mile

It’s East Tennessee’s largest competitive road race, a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, it’s a community event that showcases all that’s great about Knoxville, and it’s a great way to give back! The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is proud to support these efforts to improve health and fitness in our communities.

Innovative Recreation Cooperative

Based at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and founded as part of Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, the Innovative Recreation Cooperative (IRC) provides opportunities for people with physical disabilities to enjoy more active lives. As part of that effort, IRC assists individuals on hand cycles and in push rim wheelchairs who want to compete in their own, high-energy marathon race. A portion of proceeds from race weekend benefits IRC.

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley

Each year the marathon selects a local charity for a special partnership. The featured charity partner in 2024 is Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley (BGCTV), an organization that supports East Tennessee Children through after school programs. BGCTV volunteers will help make sure race weekend runs smoothly. BGCTV is also training a team for the Covenant Kids Run. This great nonprofit will receive a portion of proceeds as well.

Knoxville Youth Runs

The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is also a vehicle to support Knoxville Youth Runs (KYR), a joint program of the Community Schools Program/Great Schools Partnership and the Knoxville Track Club along with the Knox County elementary and middle schools. KYR encourages kids to develop a healthy lifestyle and a love for the sport of running. There is no charge for students or schools who participate in the KYR program.

The Fittest School Challenge

The Fittest School Challenge is a fun competition in which local schools see who can bring the most students to the Covenant Kids Run. In addition to bragging rights, winning schools receive prize money to help keep East Tennessee students and schools strong. Prizes are awarded in multiple categories according to the size of student enrollment.

The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is proud to be part of a community where organizations and efforts like these bring people together to improve the quality of life in East Tennessee through better health. Help us make a difference by signing up today!