The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon continued its reign as the largest competitive road race in East Tennessee. Now in its 19th year, the 2023 races had over 6,330 registrants for multiple events held the weekend of April 1-2.
Race events included full and half marathons, 2- and 4-person relays, a 5K, and the final leg of the Covenant Kids Run, which encourages children to track their activities over several weeks. More than 1,000 children participated in the final one-mile run on Saturday evening.
Among Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon runners, Amanda Martin of Johnson City, Tennessee, broke the women’s half-marathon time record. At 1:16:18, Martin bested her previous time of 1:19:06 in 2021, when she made history as the first female to place first overall in the half marathon.
Another highlight happened on the men’s half marathon corse, where Alan Carreno of Las Vegas, Nevada, placed first for the second year in a row at 1:11:35, improving his 2022 time of 1:11:42.
For the men’s full marathon, first-time marathon runner Stephen Martinez of Stone Mountain, Georgia, finished in 2:32:28. Stephanie Buchanan of Bristol, Tennessee, was the first-place winer in the women’s full marathon with a time of 2:44:26.
5K first-place winners were Zack Sakacski, Kodak, Tennesse, 16:49, in the men’s race and Ariana Vargas, Knoxville, 20:48, in the women’s race.
Among the handcycle competitors, full marathon winners were Dane Pilon, Asheville, North Carolina, 1:31:37, in the men’s race and Carly Pearson, Knoxville, 2:35:41, in the women’s race.
“The embrace of our annual theme, ‘This is your year,’ was evident on the streets of Knoxville an in the smiles of participants,” Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Race Director Jason Altman said. “While many achieved their personal victory, we all collectively won thanks to the support of thousands of attendees, generous volunteers, the City of Knoxville and emergency services.”
“I am proud of all those who participated and made this event possible, including our employees across East Tennessee,” said Covenant Health President and CEO Jim VanderSteeg. “The true triumph is seeing so many people prioritize their health. As individuals continue to improve their quality of life, make every year yours and get ready for the 2024 races!”
For more race results and information about Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, visit knoxvillemarathon.com.