‘This is not the work. This is the fun': Runners ready to compete in Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — With the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon coming up Sunday, runners have been preparing at the Goody's Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday. All types of runners, from experienced athletes to beginners, including many from out of state, have signed up to race.
'Just have confidence in yourself and have a great time and appreciate the work that you put into it. And this is a victory lap. You know, this is not the work. This is the fun,' said first-time marathon runner Marni Cochrane.
RESULTS: 5K Race Winners at 2025 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon
At the expo, runners were picking up their bibs and gear, preparing for the big race. Several participants in both the marathon and half-marathon expressed their excitement about finally crossing that finish line after months of hard training
'The satisfaction, I guess from finishing. Just being like, 'okay, cool. I did it.' Because I've never done like a marathon or half marathon. So just being able to say that I did one, I think it's going to be pretty cool,' said Aaron Bishop, a half marathon runner.
High school cross country athlete Keegan Smith said there's no better way to end his Knoxville running career.
'Next year I'm heading out to Colorado to run for the Buffaloes. I think I kind of wanted to put a nice little bow on my time here in Knoxville, and what better way than to run the Covenant Health Knoxville Half Marathon? I've never done it before. Obviously, I've had friends do it, but I just wanted to kind of have fun and not really put pressure on myself and just really enjoy it, you know, get one last stroll around the city, as I like to say,' explained Smith.
Two-time team USA Olympian Ryan Hall shares advice for those running the marathon on Sunday.
'The last six miles is all heart. But the first 20? You need to be smart as an athlete and realize you still have a long ways to go and find that perfect kind of effort level where you can hang out for hours and hours,' he said.
▶ See more top stories on WATE.com
The marathon, relays, and half marathon will begin at 7:30 am.
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