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Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon

April 11, 2027 · 7:30 AMKnoxville, TN, United States

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Race Day

56°F

43–66°F · Feels cool

Total elevation gain

899ft

Moderate rolling hills · Net elevation change +39 ft

Participants

1,200

Medium-sized race

Crowd Rating

5/ 10

Good crowd energy

The Lowdown

Now in its third decade, the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon has grown from a regional road race into one of Tennessee's most beloved spring marathons. First run in the mid-2000s, the race has become a Knoxville tradition each April, drawing competitive athletes chasing qualifying times as well as a large contingent of local runners and first-time marathoners. The event is organized with strong community support and charity partnerships, making it both a competitive race and a festival of neighborhood pride.

The course showcases Knoxville's most scenic and historic areas, winding through downtown and the revitalized Old City, along the Tennessee River and Volunteer Landing, past the University of Tennessee campus and iconic landmarks like Neyland Stadium, and through tree-lined residential neighborhoods and riverfront parks. Runners experience a mix of urban energy and green riverside stretches, with flat-to-rolling terrain that rewards steady pacing and presents many opportunities for spectators to cheer. Aid stations are frequent and well-staffed, and volunteers and local bands create a lively atmosphere at key points.

The race is USATF-certified and is recognized as a Boston Marathon qualifier, making it attractive to runners seeking fast, legitimate times. Whether aiming for a PR, a Boston qualifier, or a first marathon finish, participants often cite the course scenery, energetic crowd support, and efficiently run event operations as defining features of the Knoxville Marathon experience.

Jun 24, 2026: 2027 Edition Announced: April 11, 2027; Registration Open
The 2026 edition (April 12, 2026) is completed. The official knoxvillemarathon.com site has announced the 2027 edition for April 10-11, 2027 (race day Sunday April 11), with registration now open via RunSignUp. No 2027 pricing has been published as of 2026-06-24.
Sep 16, 2025: Record Participation Growth: Over 6,510 Finishers in 2025
The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon has grown to become the largest competitive road race in East Tennessee, with participation expanding from 3,302 in 2005 to more than 6,510 participants who crossed the finish line in 2025. The 2026 edition marked the race's 22nd year.
Apr 7, 2013: Men's Marathon Course Record: 2:22:15 by Wojciech Kopec
The men's marathon course record of 2:22:15 was set by Wojciech Kopec in 2013 and still stands as the fastest time in the race's history. This record has remained unbroken for over a decade.

Course Highlights: 01World's Fair Park & Sunsphere – Iconic 1982 World's Fair site with the gold-glass Sunsphere tower visible near the course
02Volunteer Landing – Riverfront park along the Tennessee River offering scenic river views and cheering spectators
03Gay Street & Market Square – Historic downtown corridor with shops, restaurants, and energetic crowds
04University of Tennessee / Neyland Stadium area – Passing the university campus and the landmark football stadium
05Riverfront Parkway & James White's Fort vicinity – Sections along the riverfront near historic James White's Fort
06Old City – Historic neighborhood with brick buildings, nightlife venues, and a lively atmosphere on race day
07Knoxville Museum of Art & Krutch Park – Cultural landmarks and green space near downtown that runners pass
Also on this race weekend: Half marathon · 5K
Time Limit: "6 hours"
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 18 years
Entry Methods: Online Registration (RunSignUp)
Charity Entry
Team/Corporate Entry
In-Person Registration (Packet Pickup)
Virtual Race
Eligibility: Must be 18 years of age or older
Must be in good health and physically prepared to complete the course in the allotted time
Required Documents: Photo ID (government-issued)
Signed race waiver/release
Emergency contact information
Proof of age (for age-group awards if requested)
Cancellation & Refund Policy: No refunds under any circumstances
Bib transfers to another runner allowed until 30 days before the race for a $25 transfer fee
If the event is canceled by organizers due to extreme circumstances (weather, public health, permitting), entries will be deferred to the next calendar year; no refunds

01: The marathon finishes in World's Fair Park near the Knoxville waterfront, offering scenic views of the Tennessee River and downtown skyline.
02: The course is rolling and can be challenging in places—runners pass the University of Tennessee campus and several historic Knoxville neighborhoods, so expect a few sustained hills.
03: Finishers receive a custom medal and a technical race shirt, and there is a post-race festival with food and beverage options including a beer garden for eligible participants.
04: Race weekend features an expo with packet pickup, a pre-race pasta dinner, and a kids' run to engage families and spectators.
05: Aid stations with water, electrolyte drink, and porta-potties are positioned about every 1.5–2 miles; early arrival is recommended due to limited downtown parking and available shuttle options for participants.
06: The 2027 course details are subject to change per the official site; USATF certification is pending.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, cool weather Difficulty Analyzer899ft gain, 56°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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