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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Photographs in Search of a Blog, October 2011

Posted on October 31, 2011 Written by 1 Comment
World’s Fair Park Pavilion, Knoxville, October 2011

I hope you all got to enjoy that great Autumn rain on Friday, the nice weather on Saturday and the first touch of winter on Sunday. It was a great weekend in the city. I read all day Friday, which included “The Letters of Sylvia Beech,” loaned to me by Flossie at Union Avenue Books (thanks Flossie, it will be back soon). I tried 31 Bistro Saturday with great friends Shaft and Deda and got in a little trick-or-treat action with Urban Toddler on Sunday. Pretty nice.


Cool Motorcycle in front of Hotel Oliver, Knoxville, October 2011



Tending the garden, fifth floor behind Mast General, Knoxville, October 2011



Singer, Market Square, Knoxville, October 2011

I considered doing something spooky for Halloween, but I’m  not much of a Halloweeny sort of guy so, instead, I’ll end the month as I have a number of times before with images from the city I truly liked, but just never found the blog they deserved. Rather than have them disappear into pixel land, I’ll throw them out for your pleasure.

Beauty in the City, Knoxville, October 2011

  

Hippie VW Microbus, Summit Hill, Knoxville, October 2011

 

Ballet, World’s Fair Park Pavilion, Knoxville, October 2011

 

Spanish Language Radio in Knoxville!

So many things that I photograph are things that I stumble onto in the city. The unexpected sightings of wedding parties, a cool reflection on a building, college kids being, well, college kids, are the kinds of things that make life interesting downtown. When I lived in the suburbs and I went to the grocery store I expected to buy groceries and drive back into my garage. Now, when I buy groceries it involves a walk and I never know what interesting person or sight I might find. Life is too short for dull.

Shadow of the Sunsphere, Knoxville, October 2011

 

Volt at Electric Car Show, Market Square, Knoxville, October 2011

 

Bride and Groom, Church Street UMC, Knoxville, October 2011

If you’d like to see more pictures like these, I have nearly a thousand at the Stuck Inside of Knoxville Facebook Page and I’d love you to go there and hit the “like” button as you look around. Tell your friends about it. I’ll be adding labels to pictures and tagging people (you might look for people you know – or yourself – and tag them for me!). Also, I’d love to have you as a friend at the Knoxville Urban Guy Facebook Page.

Cool Ride, Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2011



Dog-powered Bike, Central Street, Knoxville, October 2011

 

Beauty in the City, Too, Knoxville, October 2011

Filed Under: Downtown Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Blogs, Flowers in the city, Knoxville Blogs, Photographs of Knoxville, Sunsphere, Wedding, World's Fair Park

Knoxville Through the Eyes of a Child

Posted on September 19, 2011 Written by 5 Comments
Vegetables at the Market Square Farmers’ Market

This weekend promised to be packed with Urban goodness. When Saturday arrived, crisp and cool, and Urban Toddler made the scene, we set out for some large fun. I get a bit frustrated when I hear people say that they would love to live downtown, but what kind of place is it for children? Well, let me tell you about Saturday as an example.

Market Square Farmers’ Market on a cool Saturday morning

The first stop along the way had to be the Market Square Farmer’s Market. Urban Toddler loves picking out the vegetables as she cruises in her stroller or runs about. This week was about the flowers. Her stroller was all decked out. She also loved the blueberries when they were in. Last week she ate over half a pound while we were out. She also wanted a cool apple cider in the little plastic apple and a confection from Rick’s Breads.

Urban Toddler and Urban Daughter in the Sunsphere

From that point decisions had to be made. Krutch Park offered a cook-off with local chefs using ingredients from the Market. It was tauted by brochure pushing teenagers promoting the family-friendly atmosphere and children’s activities. That has to be the choice, right? But wait – what about story time at Union Avenue Books at 11:00?

World’s Fair Park Playground

More friends: More Fun

We left it up to the little princess-in-waiting and she picked “none of the above.” She decided she’d rather go to the playground at the World’s Fair Park where she had a blast. Excellent choice. We did manage a stop along the way to ride the elevator to the top of the sunsphere and look out at the city from the observation deck. It’s free and open most of the time. At the playground she was joined by another half-dozen or more urban children, while others frolicked in the large fountains.

Urban Toddler loves the slide: World’s Fair Park

After that it was Urban Naptime followed by a certain football game of interest. The day was capped off by a birthday party for B.B. King who turned 86 this week. This particular Urban Toddler’s favorite book is “One Shoe Blues” by Mr. King. She often insists that we play his music on the ipod and she was majorly bummed that B.B. did not show up for his own party. After her bath she regained her mojo in time to dance into the night to the sweet sounds of the blues.

Not Happy: B.B. King didn’t show up for his party!

So, the day was a smashing success downtown for one Urban Toddler. Others probably enjoyed the children’s activities in Krutch Park, caught story time at Union Avenue Books and rocked some serious fountain time when the afternoon grew warmer. Many of them probably caught the free family-friendly movie on Market Square the night before. Not a bad warm-up weekend as the little tykes get pumped for next week’s Hola Festival.

Dancin’ to the Blues

Filed Under: Children Downtown, Downtown Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Blogs, Knoxville Blogs, Knoxville Tennessee, Sunsphere, World's Fair Park

Triple Bill: Knoxville vs. Paris vs. London Smackdown

Posted on July 15, 2011 Written by 4 Comments
London’s Most Famous Clock

What do you get when you take 7,000,000 people out of the population of London? A city that is still larger than all of Knoxville. If the word “city” is used to describe London and Paris, should the same word be used when referring to downtown Knoxville?

Knoxville’s Most Famous Clock

These are the kinds of questions passing through my mind as I return from visits to these cities. I’m joking, of course, when I imply that we are going to compare the cities in some sort of competition. It’s the kind of thing one would never say except tongue-in-cheek, like “We are going to make Knoxville’s school system a world-class system,” – but wait that was actually said out loud. Bad example, but you get the point.
I’ve never traveled much outside of our country, though I’ve seen most of the states of our union. When I was eight-years-old my parents loaded the Chevy with parents, me and my brother, grandmother and uncle and drove from Mobile, Alabama to Montreal, Canada. When I was nine they took us to Mexico City and Acapulco, Mexico. In 1990 I spent a week in Tokyo and in 1997 I took my family to Monterey and Chijuajua, Mexico.

Paris’ Most Famous Structure

Until a couple of weeks ago, that was it. I longed to travel to Europe for years. After years of planning, hoping and saving our money and finally made it. My wife and I spent a week in London and a week in Paris. Of course, the entire time I was there, I thought only of you, my readers. OK, that may be a bit of an exageration, but I do write a blog about a little city and those are big cities and my mind did turn often around the connections and disconnections between them.

Knoxville’s Most Famous Structure

So, over the next days or weeks, depending on what strikes me as I consider my experiences, I’ll share a few observations about those cities in relation to this one. I’ll mix it in with my regular posts until it plays out in my mind. For those of you who don’t care about Paris or London or who know far more about each than I’ll ever know, please indulge me. I’ll get it out of my system soon enough.

Filed Under: Big Ben, Downtown Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Blog, Eiffel Tower, London, Paris, Regions Bank, Sunsphere

The Sunsphere Holds Open Ball (That’s Open House for a Sphere)

Posted on March 8, 2011 Written by 2 Comments
Sunsphere, World’s Fair Park, Knoxville, March 2011

I had not been to the upper reaches of the Sunsphere since sometime in the late 1980′s. I’ll be honest and say that I remember being unimpressed and wishing the thing hadn’t been built in a hole. Just think of the views from a Sunsphere on a ridge. Still, that was the decision and it doesn’t seem like a candidate for moving, so it’s what we’ve got.

Convention Center, World’s Fair Park, Church Street UMC, TN River
Fort Sanders from the Sunsphere

This is not to say I wasn’t excited about the chance to explore it once more. I really was. Free food, drink and music is also a good incentive for a local blogger, and that was promised in the publicity, so I took the short walk. And the very slow elevator ride. This has to be the slowest elevator in Knoxville. Still, the ride was smooth and it didn’t drop me, so I didn’t complain.

Sixth Floor Crowds enjoy art, food and drinks in the Sunsphere.

Sixth Floor, Sunsphere, Knoxville, March 2011

The fifth and sixth floors were open to the public and are now available for events through Sara Spangler of Prolific Living. According to their Facebook page, the fifth floor is suitable for groups of up to fifty and the sixth floor is available for groups as large as 250. There is a tremendous difference between the two, with the sixth floor being open all the way around and the fifth floor only part of the way around.

Todd Steed and Ampient Sound, Fifth Floor Sunsphere, Knoxville

The Open House was very nice, with catered food offered from tables and by servers who circulated among the crowd. Todd Steed and his latest project, “Ampient Sound” played on the fifth floor. I have to say this is my favorite Steed incarnation. The idea is to play unplanned sounds on several guitars at a very low volume. The music is entirely improvised, often distorted and intended to set the atmosphere, not to be a focal point in itself. I could make it a focal point pretty easily. It’s exciting to hear what might happen next. They play Java Old City the first Wednesday night of each month, so I may try to catch them there and give you more detail.

Southern side of Downtown Knoxville

The views were better than I had remembered. Getting a photograph with the curve and outward angle of the thick glass and the reflection of light from outside and inside proves more of a challenge than I’m prepared to meet, but I did my best. We also saw friends and met a new one – a very sweet lady who was curious about a building she could see in the city. It turned out to be our building, so we were able to tell her all about it.

North side of downtown Knoxville as seen from the Sunsphere, March 2011.
An easy ride down and we were on our way. I’d enjoy attending a party there. It also seems like a great spot for conference guests who want to have a smaller reception away from the crowds in the Convention Center. So, plan a party. Have great food, drink and Ampient Sound and invite me!

Filed Under: Downtown Knoxville, Downtown Knoxville Blog, Knoxville Tennessee, Sunsphere, Todd Steed Ampient Sound
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