Knoxville Marathon 2013

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 KopecĀ (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.

Photographs in Search of a Blog

View from 11 Cafe, 100 Block, Knoxville

 Here are a few scenes that caught my attention recently. The photograph of the 100 Block is from the window of 11 Cafe. I love the little bar along the window facing the street. Sitting there reminds me of a similar bar looking out onto the street of Haight Ashbury and anything that reminds me of San Francisco in any respect is worth noting.

Couple reads James Agee inscription on Market Square, Knoxville

I love the couple standing in Market Square reading the words of James Agee. I’m always amazed at how many people read those inscriptions or the ones on the various monuments and statues around the city. I can’t ever resist taking a picture of Harley the Magician. I think he’s very camera-friendly. And the Whittle Building, well, I think it’s pretty and I really liked the clouds that day.

Harley, Market Square, Knoxville

Whittle Building with clouds, Knoxville

Surviving the Snow, Part Two

First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, State Street, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Downtown Knoxville did not return to normal today, but it managed a closer approximation. The roads were much more navigable as the ice and snow succumbed to the ice, wind and warmth of the tires passing over the surface. More people stirred as temperatures rose into the thirties, though walking in the street ironically seemed safer than walking on most of the sidewalks.

A Row in the Snow, Church Street, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

As promised, I’m posting additional pictures from Monday. I followed the edges of downtown, hopefully spotting some scenes I’ve not photographed as much in the past along with some I just can’t help but photograph over and over.

Whittle Building, Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Whittle Courtyard, Knoxville, January 10, 2011
Saint John’s Episcopal, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

I walked up State Street as I left the Old City, crossed Gay and walked to Cumberland. The Whittle Building, which may be the best thing that Chris Whittle ever accomplished in my opinion, was beautiful in the snow as it is in every weather. Ironically, though it was locked tight and a guard was posted, the brick had been cleaned as if anyone would be allowed to walk there. He wasn’t happy that I took this picture through the gate. I’ve always thought it seemed wrong that this is locked up when the building isn’t open. It seems it should be a truly public place, but it’s not. Security, I suppose. I don’t think I looked that threatening.

Empty Henley Street Bridge, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Church Street United Methodist Church, Henley Street, January 10, 2011

Entrance to Maplehurst, Knoxville, January 10, 2011
Maplehurst Inn, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

 I crossed Henley Street (with my eyes closed – it’s that easy!) and entered Maplehurst.

Headless, Frozen Man on porch in Maplehurst, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Home in Maplehurst, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Home in Maplehurst, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Home in Maplehurst, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Apartments in Maplehurst, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

This is a hidden neighborhood behind Church Street United Methodist and on the bluff over the river. Nestled against a green way to the west, it is easy to overlook. Some of the homes are both unique and beautiful. It’s worth a stroll if you are ever in the area.

Looking north down the tracks into the World’s Fair Park, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Frozen pool, Ampitheater and Sunsphere, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

North end of the World’s Fair Park, Knoxville, January 10, 2011

Finally, I ended my walk with a trip through the World’s Fair Park, before walking back into downtown. We have so many beautiful buildings and views. And snow, well, snow just makes everything a little prettier, don’t you think?

The way home, Clinch into downtown Knoxville, January 10, 2011