CHATTANOOGA MARATHON
CITY ATTEMPTS TO WOO OFFICIALS FOR OLYMPIC TRIALS
City officials will use this weekend’s Chattanooga Marathon to try to woo USA Track & Field representatives to the Scenic City. Chattanooga is one of four cities bidding for the 2020 Olympic Team Trials marathon, and track and field representatives who have a say in the decision will be in the city for the event.
“There’s many county departments, city departments, nonprofits, volunteers groups, private organizations who are on the same page producing a quality event together as one team,” Chattanooga Sports Committee President Tim Morgan said. “That’s the key that we’re trying to demonstrate this weekend. They’re going to see the environment that Chattanooga has created. They’re going to see the engagement of our community.”
The event would add to the city’s growing number of major outdoor events, but officials have other plans to bring in an Olympic event, even if USA Track & Field doesn’t choose Chattanooga.
There are other Olympic trials
events that haven’t been placed such as boxing, weightlifting, wrestling and others. The sports committee has been in conversations with some of those bodies to see if Chattanooga could potentially host one of the events.
“We’re still fine-tuning a direction we can go with that,” Morgan said. “This weekend it’s about running. It’s about the USA Track and Field team trials in the marathon.”
Sunday’s marathon will take a new direction, literally.
Instead of its normal 26.2-mile course, runners will run two laps on a shorter course to minimize the impact on the community.
“I think that is going to help engage the supporters and the community because runners are passing the same place twice,” Chattanooga Track Club President Jenni Berz said. “This will help hone resources.”
The track club coordinates volunteer efforts for the event that features the marathon, a half marathon and more. It is expected to have nearly 4,000 participants.
It will also cut down on road closures and the traffic impact to address concerns from non-participants, Morgan said.
“We listened to our community and we listened to our partners,” Morgan said. “The way it was laid out before was taxing to the community on multiple fronts. We adjusted to accommodate our community with what we hope is less impact on our locals who aren’t engaged in the event. We also think this will bring a higher level of engagement for those wanting to view the event.”