The Chattanooga Heroes Run/Walk, presented by Erlanger’s Level One Trauma Center, will take place on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. and registration is now full.
“We are proud to say we have approximately 1,500 people who registered to participate in Saturday’s event,” said Liz Hedges, Erlanger’s director of Business Development. “Unfortunately, that is all the route can hold. But, we still welcome those who cannot participate to come out and support our community by lining the streets and route and cheering on our friends and family members, emergency personnel and military service members.”
The event features a five mile run or walk that begins on Amnicola Highway at the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center, follows part of the path that EMS took last July 16 down Amnicola Highway, connects to the Tennessee RiverPark, winds through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus, ending on 5th Street just south of the Challenger Center.
Following the five mile run/walk, there will be a one mile kids run beginning at 10 a.m. through UTC's campus. Participants and spectators are also welcome to gather at the Challenger Center for an expo the whole family will enjoy.
Participant and spectator busing begins at 6 a.m. across from Challenger Center at the corner of Palmetto and Fifth Streets.
Order of Events for the Chattanooga Heroes Run/Walk:
6 a.m. – Busing participants to Naval Operational Support Center begins across from Challenger Center at Palmetto and Fifth Streets
7:45 a.m. – Ceremony at NOSC before the Run/Walk begins
- Kevin Spiegel, president and CEO of Erlanger Health System
- Chaplain Glyn Turner (USN) will provide the invocation
- Mayor Andy Berke, City of Chattanooga
- Mayor Jim Coppinger, Hamilton County
- Matt Dame will sing the National Anthem, and Bob Regan, songwriter and founder of Operation Song, will play the acoustic guitar for the National Anthem
- LIFE FORCE Flyover
8 a.m. – Chattanooga Police Department Sgt. Dennis Pedigo will sound the air horn at the start of the Run/Walk
- During the Run/Walk (and towards the end) many service members will be dressed in uniform and running in formation.
- Family members and friends of the five service members will represent at various sections of the course.
10 a.m. – One mile Kids Run at UTC
- During the event, a Family Expo will take place at the Challenger Center. Expo includes Touch A Truck area, LIFE FORCE, vendors and local organization booths
Added event for the participants of the Chattanooga Heroes Run: The Chattanooga Lookouts will recognize all the participants of the Chattanooga Heroes Run/Walk during the game at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday. Each participant will receive a general admission ticket to that evening's game and will be thanked for their support.
The Chattanooga Lookouts will also hold an online auction featuring autographed and game-used team memorabilia. The auction will take place from July 14 through July 19 and all proceeds will go towards the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga to help raise money for a permanent memorial to honor the five service members.
For more information about the Chattanooga Heroes Run/Walk, visit www.chattanoogaheroesrun.com.
The families of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Randall Smith have chosen to use the proceeds from this event to fund the construction of a permanent memorial.
Erlanger officials thank the following for their time, manpower and support of this special heroes’ tribute: City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Rock Creek, and LIFE FORCE Event Medicine.
Registration for Chattanooga Heroes Run/Walk on July 16 is full.
Donors and spectators are still encouraged to support the event.