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Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Team
The Covenant Health Marathon Team Challenge
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Read Blogs from Marathon Team Members
Expert Advice from Phil Bevins
Benefits of a Runner's Evaluation
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Front row (l to r): Jimmy Holt, David Bost, Brandon Hall , Jay Cash, Michael Harvey, Russell Biven
Back row (l to r): Jenny Dell, Bonnie Harlow, Donna Stroud, Beth Haynes, Coach Missy Kane, Susan Leaver, Carolyn White, Stephanie Shipe, Chevelle Lewis
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The Covenant Health Marathon Team trains in shoes from New Balance Knoxville.
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Q: What has 28 legs and boundless enthusiasm?
A: The Covenant Health Marathon Team Challenge!
For the first time since the marathon’s inception, Covenant Health is sponsoring two competing teams, training together for the marathon, half marathon, and 5k. The Green Team and the Blue Team each have an ultimate goal of crossing the finish line on March 29, 2009. However, they’ll be awarded points for achievements throughout the training process.
Points are awarded for everything from completing a Fit Test at Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center and a Runner Evaluation at Covenant Therapy Centers to participating in training runs with the Knoxville Track Club.
Members of both teams met for the first time on November 8 at the fitness center. The Team Summit was a day of information, exercise, and fun. Although the members of the Covenant Health Marathon Teams come from different walks of life and are at different levels of athletic ability, they quickly discovered that they share a common desire for self improvement. They are together in a race to personal fitness.
The teams are coached by Covenant Health fitness expert Missy Kane, a former UT Track and Field coach, former Olympian, and Pan American Games medalist. This is Coach Kane’s fifth marathon team and, with two teams in one, the biggest team ever!
Check this page regularly for updates as team members blog about their experiences. Get advice from the experts at Covenant Health and training tips from Coach Kane. Join the 2009 Covenant Health Marathon Teams in their race to personal fitness!
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The Blue Team
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The Green Team
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Meet the Teams
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Blue Team
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Green Team
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Beth Haynes - Team Co-Captain, WBIR
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Russell Biven - Team Co-Captain, WBIR
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Jimmy Holt - Team Co-Captain, WIVK
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Stephanie Shipe - Team Co-Captain, Knoxville News Sentinel
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David Bost, 42, Heiskell
David has two reasons to take part in the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. First, he wants to get in better shape to be more effective in his job as a firefighter, which at times can be physically demanding. His second reason for running is to support his wife, who underwent gastric bypass surgery in September and is in her own race to personal fitness. She plans to run in the 5k. David is now setting his sites on the 13.1-mile half marathon.
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Jay Cash, 38, Kingston
Jay will cover many miles during his training – and not always in running shoes. In addition to training in Knoxville and living in Kingston, he works as a youth pastor in Crossville. Jay says a couple of high school track team members who are in his youth group told him they are “stoked” that he’s on the team. Jay also hopes to be a role model for his own children.
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Jenny Dell, 28, Knoxville
When you see this ambitious lady cross the finish line on March 29, she’ll probably be wearing a party hat. Jenny’s birthday is the same day as the marathon. She says she had wanted to run a marathon before turning 30. Looks like she’ll be accomplishing that goal a year early! Jenny says she’s learned that personal victories, both small and large, are what make life worth living.
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Michael Harvey, 32, Knoxville
Michael was very active and athletic when he was younger. However, like many of us, time and responsibilities pulled his focus away from health and fitness as he grew older. He ran a half marathon in 2007, but says he wasn’t quite prepared and it took a toll on his body. He’s facing the weeks leading to the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon with a new determination to train properly and cross the finish line in complete personal victory.
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Brandon Hall, 29, Knoxville
If you think your house is busy, you should visit Brandon’s. He is the father of three-year-old triplets and yet still finds time to exercise and train for the marathon. Before joining the Covenant Health Marathon team, Brandon says he had never run a race in his life. Running after those triplets was enough training to get him across the finish line with his team at the BUDDY’s Race Against Cancer in November.
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Susan Leaver, 48, Knoxville
If you’ve participated in Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon events in the past – you may have already seen Sue working as a volunteer. Oddly enough, with all the work she’s put into the marathon, she’s never had a chance to cross the finish line. Sue is an RN at Parkwest Medical Center and gives a tremendous amount of credit to coworker Heather Shubert who instilled in her the dream to complete at half marathon before reaching age 50.
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Bonnie Harlow, 42, Knoxville
Also known as “Senora Harlow,” Bonnie is running in tribute to her 13 year old son who lost 35 lbs. after implementing healthy lifestyle changes and her father who lives in Honduras. He was an avid marathon runner and modeled a healthy lifestyle during her childhood. Now she hopes to become the same "healthy" role model for her five children. She is a former U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer and works at her husband’s business on Clinton Highway.
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Chevelle Lewis, 44, Knoxville
Chevelle never considered being on the Covenant Health Marathon Team until one of her coworkers became a team member in 2007. Watching Renee Kelly go through the training process and cross the finish line inspired Chevelle to set some new goals for health and fitness. She’s a busy mom, working for the city of Knoxville and working to set a good example for family and friends.
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Donna Strowd, 54, Kodak
She sits at a desk in her job as a paralegal, but she’s up and moving after hours to train for the half marathon. Donna is active in greyhound rescue and is a proud grandmother. Her ultimate goal is to be healthy and active long into her retirement years. She also hopes to be an encouragement to Baby Boomers, reminding them to keep moving forward in their 50’s and beyond. She says if she can do it – so can you!
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Carolyn White, 70, Knoxville
Ask Carolyn White why she applied for a spot on the team and she’ll tell you she didn’t. Unbeknownst to this grandmother, her daughters conspired to apply on her behalf. It’s no wonder. Carolyn is an excellent example of a fit and healthy lifestyle. A breast cancer survivor and physically active grandmother, she just might participate in the 5k on March 29 - but she has her eye on the half marathon!
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