Dec. 13, 2024
Ryan Hall, a retired U.S. long-distance runner, record-holder and renowned coach, will be the featured speaker for the Health & Fitness Expo, part of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend on April 5-6, 2025.
With the fastest marathon and half marathon times for a U.S. athlete, Hall’s inspiring story and athletic achievements make his appearance a must-attend event for all participants and the Knoxville community.
“Ryan Hall’s journey is one of dedication and barrier-breaking achievement,” said Jason Altman, race director of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. “We’re excited to have him speak at the expo and share his remarkable experiences and inspiration with our runners and attendees.”
Hall will deliver his motivational speech at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall on Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. The Health & Fitness Expo, located at 935 World’s Fair Park Drive, is a pre-race celebration featuring exhibitors focused on fitness, sports, wellness and nutrition. The expo is free, open to the public and will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hall holds the U.S. record in the half marathon, becoming the first American to break the one-hour barrier in the event. He also is the only American to run a sub-2:05 marathon, finishing the 2011 Boston Marathon at an unofficial time of 2:04:58. He won the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and finished tenth in the marathon at the Beijing Olympics.
After retiring from professional running in 2016, Hall started weightlifting. He now focuses on a hybrid approach with a strength training and running. He also coaches his wife, Sara Hall, who ranks as the third-fastest American woman in marathon history and second-fastest in the half marathon. The couple resides in Flagstaff, Arizona, with their children, four daughters adopted in 2015 from Ethiopia.
The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend includes several events such as a full marathon, half marathon, four-person relay, 5K and the Covenant Kids Run. All race participants must attend the Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday, April 5, to pick up race packets. Registration is open, with early sign-ups offering discounted rates.
For more information and to register for the 2025 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon races, visit knoxvillemarathon.com.
About Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon
The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is a premier event organized by the Knoxville Track Club, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the encouragement of physical well-being through running, jogging, competitive road racing, race-walking, fun runs, cross-country and track and field.
About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is a Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community, and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers, and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 11,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees and volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.
