If you enjoy running and good music, you’ll want to check out the Bluegrass Half Marathon on Sept. 30.
The group behind this event is local group, The Goose Chase. This group consists of individuals who help create and coordinate events.
Karen Hubbs is the founder of The Goose Chase and has helped put this event on for years now.
“We formed a relationship with East Tennessee State University Bluegrass nine years ago,” Hubbs said. “It’s Johnson City’s premier half marathon.”
Not only will there be lots of physical activity, there will also be music courtesy of ETSU students.
“The ETSU bluegrass band will be throughout the course and at the finish line playing their music,” Hubbs said.
There are many people that take part in the race, but you don’t have to be an athlete to participate in the festivities.
“We have around 700 athletes that run the race,” Hubbs said. “We also do relays and a four-person relay. We have usually 20 or 30 relay teams that do the race.”
According to Hubbs, volunteers also play a crucial part in the event.
“We need hundreds of volunteers to put this on because every street corner needs a person on there for traffic control,” she said. “It’s very light, easy work.”
In addition to physical activities and music, there will be food for all the runners and participants to enjoy after the race.
The Bluegrass Half Marathon can also help organizations that want to try and win money for their cause.
“We’re launching something this year called the mile challenge,” Hubbs said. “It’s something that any non-profits or any organization can do. They can adopt a mile, and at the end of the race runners will vote on who has the best mile. That organization will receive some money.”
Hubbs is optimistic about the event this year and believes everyone that attends will enjoy themselves.
“We’re hoping it’s going to be very successful,” Hubbs said. “It’s just going to be a great time.”
If you would like to volunteer to help with the half marathon or would like more information about the event, go to http://thegoosechase.org/bluegrass-half-marathon-relays/.
