The marathon, held in the nation’s oldest military park, starts and finishes on Barnhardt Circle next to the 6th Cavalry Museum, but most of the race is held within Chickamauga Park and includes two loops around the main route.
The half-marathon has already been filled and is no longer accepting applications, but the marathon still has a few spots. Details can be obtained at chattanoogatrackclub.org.
Runner’s World magazine ranked this marathon as the “most family-friendly” marathon in its 2010 race rankings, while listing it second for “Most Scenic” and third for “Best Overall.”
The race is presented by the Fort Oglethorpe Tourist Association while being produced and directed by members of the Chattanooga Track Club.
While the race begins at 7:30 on Saturday, packet pickup is Friday, Nov. 9 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe at 2645 Lafayette Road. A photo ID is required for packet pickup, and runners may not pick up someone else’s packet.
A pasta dinner will also be held at the same location on Friday from 5:30-8 p.m., and tickets need to be purchased in advance.
There is plenty of free parking for spectators participants in the field adjacent to the race start/finish. There will also be a free shuttle service for spectators wishing to cheer on their favorite runners. Spectators are urged to not drive to the battlefield to minimize traffic congestion.
The awards ceremony is at 10:30 a.m. for the half-marathon and 1 p.m. for the marathon. Awards will be given to the top runners in age groups, in addition to overall, masters, grand masters and wheelchair categories. Awards will not be mailed.
James Pearce of Durham, N.C. is the defending champ who ran a 2:38:59 in 2011. Kaye Starosciak of Canton, Ga., is the two-time women’s defending champ with a time of 2:58:15 last November.
Tom O’Bryant has the overall course record of 2:27:31, set in 1984.
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