The Nashville pavement heated up as runners from around the world raced for the finish line of the Gibson sponsored Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon (April 30). 

	First place winners Nephat Kinyanjui (left) and Irina Safarova (above) crossing the finish line.

The Country Music Marathon also featured several other winning categories including the Wheelchair Marathon - winner Adam Bleakney of Atlanta, The Davidson County Marathon – winners Brent Lorenzen (men’s) and Victoria Crisp (women’s), and the State of Tennessee race – winners Lance Winders (men’s) and Sage Norton (women’s).

The Foot Locker County Challenge is a unique program in which five Country Music Marathon runners from the Nashville area are selected to represent their county during the race. One runner was chosen from each of the following Tennessee counties: Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner and Wilson. Foot Locker Challenge runner Kellie Arrant (Rutherford County) won an impressive prize package, including an exclusive County Challenge Tiffany trophy, a two-night stay at the Hilton Nashville Downtown, dinner at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, a Gibson guitar and a chance to meet country music star Phil Vassar before the post-race concert.

The top three finalists in the men's division smile with pride as they take their
places on the winners' blocks at the Country Music Marathon.

Dave Berryman is interviewed by Channel 5 News.

Country Music Recording Artist Phil Vassar caps off the night
with a special performance during the post-race concert. (L-R): Tracy Sundlun:
Exec. VP - Elite Racing, Butch Spyrdon - Nashville Chamber of Commerce,
Phil Vassar and Dave Berryman.