Knoxville Marathon 2013

Posted on April 12, 2013 Written by 2 Comments
Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

It’s hard to know at the end of this week whether I should continue recounting last weekend or move the focus to the upcoming weekend. I’ll go with last weekend, but I must mention that this weekend is likely the biggest of the Dogwood Arts Festival, with the Arts and Crafts Festival on Market Square and throughout Krutch Park. The artisan works are phenomenal and the food tent, in which chefs prepare dishes with wine pairings, is one of my favorite single events of the year.

Mayor Rogero, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Mayor Rogero, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

American Flag on Clinch Avenue, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

American Flag on Clinch Avenue, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Still, I must give a nod to last weekend’s Knoxville Marathon which drew several thousand people. The race has grown to include a 5K, Half-Marathon, Marathon and Marathon Relay. Urban Son-in-Law backed off to the half-marathon this year and many Urban Friends ran various other races. I think one reason for the massive crowds last weekend was the marathon, as a number of people came in from out of town or simply stayed downtown to enjoy the other events going on.

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Health and Fitness Expo, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists2, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists3, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Arm Cyclists, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

I love the fact that a fitness-based event has become so big in the city. It also works beautifully to have so many great activities downtown to greet any out-of-town visitors. There is no way someone visited the city last weekend, encountered the beautiful weather, pianos on the square, Chalk Walk, First Friday, Rhythm and Blooms and came away with anything other than a very positive impression of what is happening here. They also spent time and money in the Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday.

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Runner, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Runner, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

Knoxville Marathon Start, April 2013

The starting line and staging area always attract me. Nerves jangle about at every turn, runners giddy with excitement warm up maybe a bit too much. Proud families wish their loved ones well. The mayor spoke at this year’s opening and the national anthem makes any sporting fan’s blood reach a quick boil of anticipation. Some are there to win, others to have fun and others simply to finish. Music pounds from a PA system as it will throughout the race as live bands play for the runners.

Entertainment on Market Square, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Entertainment on Market Square, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

John D. Cable and the Empty Bottle Band, Clinch and Locust, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

John D. Cable and the Empty Bottle Band, Clinch and Locust, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

I photographed eventual winner Wojciech Kopec (2:22:15) as he left the start line (red jersey above, number 2), but missed him at the twenty-five mile mark. I did catch Edward Tabut passing the UT Conference Center, heading into the final stretch. He was about three minutes behind first place. He also nearly left the course by not turning onto Locust, but a policeman yelled, pointed and Edward corrected his course.

Second Place Runner (No. 4), Mile Tweny-five, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Second Place Runner (No. 4), Edward Tabut, Mile Tweny-five, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Third Place Runner, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Third Place Runner, Bryan Morseman, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Fourth Place Runner, Mile Twenty-Three, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Fourth Place Runner, Stewart Ellington, Mile Twenty-Three, Knoxville Marathon 2013

Fifth Place Runner, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Fifth Place Runner, Abraham Kogo, Mile Twenty-four, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

About four minutes behind him was Bryan Moresman in third and I really felt for the next two guys as I photographed them leaving Market Square. They ran within steps of each other around the twenty-four mile mark and clearly, they would battle to the finish line. In the end, while Stewart Ellington (No. 6) lead by a few yards at that point, Abraham Kogo (No. 3) would pass him in the end to win fourth place. Two seconds separated them at the finish line. You can find complete results here.

Half-Marathon Medal, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Half-Marathon Medal, Knoxville Marathon, April 2013

Others would pass through downtown on into the afternoon. In fact, Urban Son-in-Law spotted a couple going through around 4:00, well after the official times have stopped. It reminds me of Cake’s awesome song, “The Distance.” All that matters at that point is finishing. And whether anyone else knows or acknowledges the fact, you know. It has to feel good. I never made it to the complete marathon and I admire those who do.

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Is there development potential under our feet?

Posted on January 17, 2012 Written by 5 Comments



Entryway beneath Jackson Avenue, Knoxville

Regular readers of this blog know that I recently spent some time walking Depot Avenue and considering the possibilities for development. As a part of that post I took pictures from Depot toward the main portion of downtown across the tracks. These shots reminded me that I’ve wanted to explore the underside of Jackson Avenue.
It’s been pretty widely documented that the 100 Block of Gay Street was elevated from its original topography in order to allow automobile traffic to cross the railyard more safely. I’d never thought about Jackson Avenue’s rise and fall as it crosses Gay Street into the Old City as being a similar project, but it must have been.

Shaft checks out the possibilities beneath Jackson Avenue, Knoxville.

There are pretty intact doorways, passageways and areas that look as if they may be currently used for storage, perhaps in support of the renovations occuring on street level above. The corridors, passageways and rooms under the street would lead to some of the structures on the 100 Block of Gay Street, though much of that space, as has been documented elsewhere, is taken by pipes, wiring and other infrastructure for the residents and businesses above.


A Glimpse underneath Jackson Avenue, Knoxville

Some of the entry-ways could easily be attractive enough to be used in only slightly modified form for the entry into a bar or cool restaurant and the space behind them seems adequate for such a purpose. One of the steadiest long-term complaints about downtown would not be an issue as a large parking lot sits directly in front of these potetial businesses. If it all sounds a bit ridiculous as a location because it looks unattractive or unsafe, please consider the spot a few blocks to the west where the Valarium and Cider House seem to be thriving.


Beneath Jackson Avenue, Knoxville

Just to the east, on the same level, are the loading docks, which I assume were built to hold frieght from or for the trains when the rail system was at its peak. I’ve thought for years that these would also make great shops, restaurants and bars. I’ve seem similar structures so adaptated in San Francisco and I’m sure it’s been done else where. This would further cement the connection between the 100 Block and the Old City. 

Loading Docks off Jackson: Storage now available.

Unfortunately, I recently received a flier advertising that some of that space will now be offered for storage. I’ve always felt long-term storage to be an indictment against western consumption and commercialism. If I don’t have room for it I need to let it go – or better, yet, never buy it in the first place. But then, I’m as guilty as anybody of wasteful spending and needless accumulation. Besides, short-term storage is probably a need for many people. It just seems like a waste of real estate in the city. Maybe it’s a temporary use for the buildings.
So, do I think we’ll see this kind of development by the spring? No. I will likely be many springs until such a thing would be considered, but I think it’s there waiting for the right vision. Maybe yours? Just askin’.

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