*The event has already taken place, and we’re thrilled with how it all turned out! If you missed it or just want to see how everyone did, you can now view the full results online. Check out the standings, times, and highlights to relive the excitement.
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Come April 6, 2025, Knoxville will once again transform into a runner’s paradise as thousands of athletes, spectators, and volunteers come together for the annual Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. From pre-dawn jitters at the start line to the emotional sprints into World’s Fair Park, this event promises to deliver everything runners love: a challenging yet rewarding course, electric crowd energy, and the unmistakable charm of East Tennessee.

A Scenic Course Built for Runners

Runners will line up on the Clinch Avenue Bridge, the Tennessee River glimmering behind them and the buzz of race-day adrenaline in the air. When the gun goes off, they’ll head straight into a 26.2-mile journey through Knoxville’s most iconic neighborhoods and parks. The full marathon course – which also doubles as a Boston Marathon qualifier – will wind through downtown, historic Sequoyah Hills, along Third Creek Greenway, and past Knoxville’s beautiful waterfront. But don’t be fooled by the scenic views – this course will help you earn your medal. Knoxville’s rolling hills, especially in the mid-miles, are no joke. What it lacks in flat, fast pavement it makes up for in character, crowd support, and the kind of satisfaction only a tough finish line can give you.

Finish Strong at World’s Fair Park

As in recent years, the finish line will be at the heart of the city – World’s Fair Park – where the iconic Sunsphere towers over the roaring finish chute. This change from the old finish at Neyland Stadium has quickly become a fan favorite, offering better crowd access and a more festival-like post-race vibe. Expect food trucks, local music, recovery stations, and thousands of cheers greeting every finisher, from the first across the line to the final runners who battle every step.

Fast Feet and Fierce Competition Expected

With over 6,000 runners registered for the weekend’s events – including the marathon, half marathon, relays, and 5K – there’s bound to be some fierce competition at the front. All eyes will be on returning champions like Peighton Meske, who claimed the women’s marathon title in 2024 with a stellar 2:44:41, and Adam Chase, the defending men’s winner. Both are expected to return to defend their crowns and potentially challenge the long-standing course records: 2:22:15 for men (Wojciech Kopec, 2013) and 2:41:41 for women (Irina Bogacheva, 2005).

Whether or not records fall, the real beauty of this race will lie in the thousands of stories playing out on the streets – from first-time marathoners to charity runners to comeback athletes pushing through months of training and setbacks just to hear the words “You did it.”

Support That Carries You Through the Miles

Runners can count on Knoxville to show up. Aid stations will be spaced every couple of miles, stocked with water, Gatorade, and plenty of good vibes. Spectators will line the course with signs that range from motivational to hilarious. Local musicians and DJs will pop up along the route, giving your legs a little rhythm to follow when the going gets tough. And volunteers – always the unsung heroes – will keep everything running smoothly from start to finish.

Why This One’s Worth It

The 2025 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon isn’t just another spring race – it’s a celebration of community, endurance, and East Tennessee pride. If you’re a seasoned marathoner, it’ll offer a fresh, scenic course with enough grit to keep you honest. If you’re running your first half or full, you’ll find encouragement in every corner and a finish line that makes it all worth it.

So lace up, Knoxville. This April, the streets will belong to the runners – and the city will be right there with them every step of the way.