The Chattanooga Market will hold it's first fundraising event, an 8k run and a 2 mile family run, on Sunday, Sept. 8. With three public markets in the Chattanooga and surrounding areas, the the Chattanooga Market 501 (c)(3) provides weekly opportunities for buying healthy farm-fresh goods and local arts and crafts. The mission of the Chattanooga Market is to provide a platform for artists and farmers to sell their handmade/homegrown goods in a low-cost environment that benefits the community through cultural enrichment and support of local economies.
Over the past 13 years in its existence, several success stories have arisen thanks to the Sunday Market. "Often times the Chattanooga Market serves as an incubator for entrepreneurs, allowing them to test their business plan with a large audience and giving them the opportunity to communicate directly with the customer; serving as the perfect focus group", explains Executive Director Chris Thomas. "We always take pride in seeing vendors reach their goals, which sometimes means they leave us to open a full store front of their own."
Several examples of such successes include Chattanooga's own local soda manufacturer, Pure Sodaworks, The Hot Chocolatier, now located on Main Street and Tangerinas who has set up shop on the Northshore, just to mention a few.
The 2013 Harvest Run will be an 8K run and 2-mi fun/family run held in conjunction with the Harvest Festival. Interested individuals and teams can sign up online at www.ChattanoogaMarket.com/8kRun. Participants will enjoy early admittance to the Harvest Festival at Chattanooga Market featuring produce and culinary tastes of fall. With over 150 vendors at the Festival, there will be many other fall inspired offerings. Live music will be featured on the EPG stage at 12:30 p.m. with Veronika Jackson and John Lathim and Michelle Young at 2 p.m.
Harvest Run Event Details:
Sunday, Sept. 8 at Chattanooga Market:
7 am. late registration and packet pick-up at Chattanooga Market (across from Finley Stadium)
8:30 a.m. 8-k and 2-mi runs begin
10 a.m. early Market opening for participants
Course: Fairly flat and back from Chattanooga Market, around Southside, to Ross’s landing and return.
Traffic: Traffic control will be provided by the Chattanooga Police Department.
Parking: Free parking is available in all lots surrounding Finley Stadium and Chattanooga Market.
Refreshments and Celebration: Water stations at various intervals throughout. Refreshments and awards after race in front of Chattanooga Market.
Race Etiquette: No animals, roller blades or bicycles, etc.
Register Online: www.ChattanoogaMarket.com/8Krun Paper registration forms are available every Sunday at Chattanooga Market leading up to race day.
Price: 2 mi family run ($20), 8k run ($30 until 9/1 then price increases to $35) Race shirts are included in price.