Chattanooga Chase

8K and 1M

May 29, 2023

The Chattanooga Chase, the area’s oldest competitive road race founded in 1968, has launched registration for this year’s annual race on Memorial Day, May 29, at Riverview Park. Organizers of the race are partnering with Siskin Children’s Institute, a Chattanooga-based nonprofit, to support their mission and strengthen community roots for this year’s event.

“Siskin joining us as a charity partner this year is the beginning of a new era for this already incredible community event,” said Alan Outlaw, race director and owner of Fast Break Athletics. “With them alongside us, we believe this race will reach more people and make a greater impact on our community than ever before, and also give their staff and the families they serve an opportunity to come together and celebrate on this momentous day.”

The mission of Siskin Children’s Institute is to improve the quality of life for children with special needs and their families. The organization, founded by Chattanooga philanthropists Mose and Garrison Siskin in 1950, provides a breadth of services to children and families through healthcare, education, home visiting, and family resources.

The partnership between Siskin Children’s Institute and the Chattanooga Chase started with a conversation about how Siskin could engage with the greater community through health and wellness events. From there, they quickly saw an opportunity to work together.

'We are excited to partner with Chattanooga Chase and its organizers to enhance this community event while educating families about the services we provide for children of diverse abilities, ' said Shannon York, Director of Marketing and Communications for Siskin Children's Institute. 'We welcome youth, families, and Siskin supporters to join us for the Extra Mile fun run to help raise funding and awareness for the healthcare programs and services we provide.

The Chattanooga Chase was founded in 1968 by the Chattanooga Track Club, a nonprofit that produces races and events to promote health and wellness for the Chattanooga community to this day. The race, in recent years, has grown year over year to a record of more than 1,000 participants and nearly the same number of spectators at last year’s event.

“The Chattanooga Chase exemplifies all that is great about our city,” said Alan Outlaw, race director and owner of Fast Break Athletics. “We get to see everyone come out from all walks of life together on one morning to do something challenging together, and we see this experience bring people closer together.”

The event kicks off at 8 a.m. with a challenging 8-kilometer/5-mile course that weaves along the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club course and ascends up Minnekahda Road through the hills of the historic Riverview neighborhood. 

The Extra Mile for Siskin, kicks off at 10 a.m., and proceeds from the one-mile race will go to support the work of Siskin. The first wave of the Extra Mile for Siskin will be family friendly and welcome to all participants who wish to run up to an 8-minute mile. The second wave, immediately following completion of the first, will be designated for runners interested in running an 8-minute mile or faster.

As part of their partnership, Siskin will activate Riverview Park during the event with an inclusive Family Fun Zone with activities for kids and more information about the services provided at Siskin Children's Institute.

In addition to Riverview Park, organizers plan to collaborate with area businesses, especially food and beverage partners, to activate the area around the starting line. In recent years, Outlaw said local businesses like The Daily Ration, Chattanooga Brewing Company, and the Monen Family Restaurant Group have been able to provide participants and spectators with post-race refreshments. 

“The post-race celebration is going to include a level of entertainment and food and beverage like we’ve never seen before. We can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”

Those interested in learning more and registering for the race can go to chattanoogachase.org. 

Register to Race HERE!