Event links

Overview

My name is Patrick Durham, owner of Party Boys DJ Show in Knoxville Tennessee. I take this opprotunity to say thank you each and every one, to all the runners, friends, family, volunteers and supporters of The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. It has been my privelege since the beginning, five years ago, to be a sponsor of this event. Party Boys DJ Show provides DJ music and sound systems for the Covenant Health Marathon Expo, the start line, on course locations, the Finish @ The Fifty in Neyland Stadium and the after party in Thompson Boling Arerna. It was windy, dark and somewhat cooler than hoped for this past Sunday morning 3/29/09. Our crew arrived on the Clinch Ave. bridge at 5:00 am. to make final preparations. We were greeted and assisted by several volunteers (thanks Ray and crew), music started just before 6:00 am. Runners, hand cyclists, spectators, more volunteers, cameramen, photographers and news media began arriving. As I turned on the microphone and welcomed the early arrivals, more and more came. I recieved many compliments on the choice of music being played. The stage was set. At 6:55 am, leading the marathon, the hand cyclists started. Mayor Haslam welcomed all, our National Anthem was sung by a past Knoxville Track Club president and the starters gun fired. I was thrilled to witness wave after wave of cheering marathon and half-marathon runners. The 5K run started at 7:15 am. This year I ran the 5K event. Eddie Reymond and Jason Altman got the runners fired encouraging everyone to step up to half-marathon or marathon distance for 2010. Hundreds of 5K runners and walkers were off. About 1/4 mile into the run, it was light and I wasn't cold anymore. Thirty-two minutes later I crossed the finish line. I have most excellent memories of all five Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon events and I remain grateful to be a sponsor, participant, runner. Thank you, thank you all.