Upcoming Marathon Recognizes Local WWII War Hero
Scenic City Multisport Honors Desmond Doss with the Desmond Doss Memorial Half Marathon
(Chattanooga, TN)- August 25, 2016- Desmond Doss was a conscientious objector who voluntarily served in the Army as a medic, but because of his religious beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist, refused to carry a weapon. While under enemy fire, Doss rescued 75 casualties, carrying them one-by-one to the edge of an embankment and lowering them by rope to safety. Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor and after he died in 2006 was buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
As the title sponsor for the upcoming 7 Bridges Marathon and 4 Bridges Half marathon on Sunday, October 16, the Georgia-Cumberland Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists and Scenic City Multisport have changed the name of the 4 Bridges Marathon to the Desmond Doss Memorial Half Marathon as a way to educate the community about a local hero.
"Desmond Doss was a great example of a man whose life was governed by principle, not popularity. He lived a life of courage guided by his faith. Seventh-day Adventists are excited to see the Doss Memorial half marathon added to the 7 Bridges event," said Tammy Fisher, Communication Director for the Georgia-Cumberland Conference.
The full marathon starts and finishes in Coolidge Park on the North Shore. Runners will cross the Market Street Bridge and take a scenic tour of downtown bridges—including The C.B. Robinson, Thrasher, and Riverpark—and Chattanooga’s riverside neighborhoods. After the first three bridges, the half marathon course will diverge from the full marathon at the Chattanooga Food Bank on the Tennessee Riverwalk, and then return over the Walnut Street Bridge to finish in Coolidge Park.
Unlike many other runs, 7 Bridges enjoys cutting-edge disposable bib chip timing technology with access to instant kiosk results. Instant internet results and text messaging is available to athletes.
Other sponsors for the 7 Bridges Marathon include EPB Fiber optics, Heritage Health Foods, Sunbelt Bakery, Dale’s HVAC/Plumbing, CHI Memorial, PM Pediatrics, Mountain Dew, High Point, Morning Pointe, Earth Fare, Scotts Bikes, Chattanooga Lookouts, Piece-a-Cake Bakery, Chattanooga Wing Factory, Aji Peruvian Restaurant, and Il Primo.
Registration is currently open for all of the October 16 events including the 7 Bridges Marathon, Desmond Doss Memorial Half Marathon, 7 Bridges Relay, 5K and Family Fun Run. For more information, visit www.sevenbridgesmarathon.com