Runners take off at the start line of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon at World’s Fair Park. The April 11-12 race weekend drew nearly 7,000 participants. Zack Ostrander, a 19-year-old from Sparta, Tennessee, finished the marathon first among male runners, while 24-year-old Molly Holmes of Seattle, Washington was the first female to finish the marathon. Image by Covenant Health

KNOXVILLE - Nearly 7,000 participants crossed the finish line of the 2026 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon at World’s Fair Park during the April 11-12 race weekend. The premier running event in East Tennessee drew the most marathon participants since its inception in 2005.

Zack Ostrander, 19, places first in the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon among male runners. Nearly 7,000 participants crossed the finish line of the 2026 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon at World’s Fair Park during the April 11-12 race weekend. Image by Covenant Health

Zack Ostrander, 19, of Sparta, Tennessee, was the first runner to cross the finish line in the marathon at 2:40:12, while Molly Holmes, 24, of Seattle, Washington, was the first woman to finish the 26.2-mile challenge with a time of 2:55:42.

Knoxville’s Caroline Houser, 37, places first among women in the half marathon. Nearly 7,000 participants crossed the finish line of the 2026 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon at World’s Fair Park during the April 11-12 race weekend.	Molly Holmes of Seattle, Washington, smiles after winning the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon among female runners. Nearly 7,000 participants crossed the finish line of the 2026 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon at World’s Fair Park during the April 11-12 race weekend. Image by Covenant Health
Curtis Eckstein, 27, smiles after winning the half-marathon among male runners in the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. Nearly 7,000 participants crossed the finish line of the 2026 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon at World’s Fair Park during the April 11-12 race weekend. Image by Covenant Health	Matthew Porterfield participates in the half-wheel marathon. Image by Covenant Health
David Neumer was the hand cyclist marathon winner. Image by Covenant Health	Carly Pearson participates in the hand cyclist marathon. Image by Covenant Health

David Neumer, an Army veteran from Kingston, Tennessee, came in first among the marathon hand cyclists at 1:53:45, finishing ahead of any marathon runners.

The overall winner of the half marathon, Curtis Eckstein of Batesville, Indiana, had a strong lead throughout the race and posted a time of 1:08:21.

Caroline Houser of Knoxville, Tennessee, won the half marathon among women at 1:25:33, and Carly Pearson of Knoxville, Tennessee, won the hand cyclist marathon in the women’s category at 2:31:50.

“It is gratifying to see thousands of participants, streets lined with spectators, generous volunteers and support from City of Knoxville and Knoxville police and fire departments,” said Jason Altman, race director for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. “From first-time runners to seasoned athletes, everyone showed what is possible through dedication and support for one another.”

In the women’s marathon, Gina Rouse of Knoxville, last year’s winner, finished second at 3:02:55, and Julia Ray of Knoxville took third at 3:05:11.

Kate Robinson of Knoxville took second at 1:27:54 in the women’s half marathon, and Stephanie Pesterfield of Alcoa, Tennessee, placed third in 1:29:11.

In the men’s marathon, Elliot Wunder of North Charleston, South Carolina, finished second at 2:43:41, and Blaine Metcalf of Powell, Tennessee, finished third at 2:47:26.

In the men’s half marathon, Jonah Bird of Knoxville finished second at 1:10:57, and Chase Bulten of Campbellsville, Kentucky, took third at 1:13:11.

Young runners led the way in the 5K on Saturday with 14-year-old Mason Shell of Maryville, Tennessee, and 15-year-old Bella Courtney of Knoxville crossing first in the men’s and women’s category, respectively at 17:19 and 20:05.

Other events at the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon included the final mile of the Covenant Health Kids Run, four-person relay and handcycle events.

The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon continued its reign as the largest competitive road race in East Tennessee. Now in its 22nd year, the 2026 events had 6,959 registrants.

“Every year, we’re proud that the largest marathon in East Tennessee bears our name, reflecting our ongoing support for this event and our commitment to improving quality of life in the communities we serve through better health,” Covenant Health President and CEO Jim VanderSteeg said. “It’s inspiring to see so many people come together to prioritize wellness and support one another.”

Covenant Health has demonstrated its commitment to this signature health and wellness event, indicating plans for long-term sponsorship. The not-for-profit health system signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with potential ongoing renewal as part of its mission to improve quality of life through better health.

Race officials have verified the results in various categories, and the winners and times are as follows:

Men’s marathon:
1. Zack Ostrander, 19, Sparta, Tennessee, 2:40:12
2. Elliot Wunder, 24, North Charleston, South Carolina, 2:43:41
3. Blaine Metcalf, 26, Powell, Tennessee, 2:47:26

Women’s marathon:
1. Molly Holmes, 24, Seattle, Washington, 2:55:42
2. Gina Rouse, 46, Knoxville, Tennessee, 3:02:55
3. Julia Ray, 20, Knoxville, Tennessee, 3:05:11

Men’s half-marathon:
1. Curtis Eckstein, 27, Batesville, Indiana, 1:08:21
2. Jonah Bird, 26, Knoxville, Tennessee,1:10:57
3. Chase Bulten, 28, Campbellsville, Kentucky, 1:13:11

Women’s half-marathon:
1. Caroline Houser, 37, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1:25:33
2. Kate Robinson, 20, Knoxville, Tennessee,1:27:54
3. Stephanie Pesterfield, 40, Alcoa, Tennessee, 1:29:11

Men’s 5K:
1. Mason Shell, 14, Maryville, Tennessee, 17:19
2. Jeremiah Jones, 19, Sweetwater, Tennessee, 17:43
3. Matthew Cool, 20, Sweetwater, Tennessee, 17:47

Women’s 5K:
1. Bella Courtney, 15, Knoxville, Tennessee, 20:05
2. Kaelyn Kuhn, 23, Alcoa, Tennessee, 20:15
3. Kathy Wolski, 60, Knoxville, Tennessee, 20:40

The race also included handcycle competitors. Winners are as follows:

Men’s handcycle marathon:
1. David Neumer, 63, Kingston, Tennessee,1:53:45

Women’s handcycle marathon:
1. Carly Pearson, 50, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2:31:50

For more information, 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 an East 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 strives to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest private employer with more than 14,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees, in addition to valuable volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.