Nashville Marathon

NashvilleTennesseeUnited States

Next race

Saturday, 20 March 2027

7:00 am start

Distance

42.195 km / 26.2 mi

Urban road

Elevation

Net downhill · 331 m gain

331 m climbing

Race profile

Overview

The Nashville Marathon draws approximately 3,800 finishers on an urban road in Nashville, United States. The course starts and finishes at Nissan Stadium. The route passes Broadway, Music Row, and Belle Meade Boulevard. Hilly with a long climb on Belle Meade in the second half.

Nashville Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.

Typical participants: Approximately 3,800 finishers

Weather: Mild and humid spring
13–19°C · humidity 65–80%
Marathon weather guide →

Course records: Men: 2:12:55 — Luke Kibet (2000)Women: 2:28:06 — Irina Bogacheva (2003)

Course & terrain

Nashville Marathon course

Route map and elevation profile for race-week planning.

The Nashville Marathon is a rolling city loop starting and finishing at Nissan Stadium, passing Broadway, Music Row, and Belle Meade Boulevard. The flatter downtown and riverfront sections are the easiest places to settle into rhythm, while Belle Meade and the city's moderate hills are the tougher work; spectator support is strongest at Nissan Stadium, along Broadway and Music Row, and through the neighbourhood sections.

Nashville Marathon route map

Registration

Nashville Marathon entry requirements

For the Nashville Marathon, yes. The course takes runners through downtown Nashville's entertainment district, including the neon-lit Lower Broadway strip with its iconic honky-tonks, giving runners a feel for Music City's legendary live-music culture even at race pace.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the Nashville Marathon route map?: This page includes a Nashville Marathon course map showing the full 42.195 km route from start to finish. Passes Broadway, Music Row, and Belle Meade Boulevard.
How long is the Nashville Marathon?: The Nashville Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Starts and finishes at Nissan Stadium.
What time does the Nashville Marathon start?: The 2027 Nashville Marathon starts at 7:00 am local time on Saturday, 20 March 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
How hilly is the Nashville Rock 'n' Roll Marathon?: Nashville is one of the hillier events in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, with approximately 331 metres of total climbing. The rolling Tennessee terrain means runners should train specifically for sustained hills — it is not the race to target if a PR on a flat course is the priority.
Does the Nashville Marathon route pass through the famous Broadway honky-tonk district?: Yes. The course takes runners through downtown Nashville's entertainment district, including the neon-lit Lower Broadway strip with its iconic honky-tonks, giving runners a feel for Music City's legendary live-music culture even at race pace.
Are there live bands on the Nashville Rock 'n' Roll Marathon course?: Yes. As a Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series event, Nashville features live bands and performers stationed at regular intervals along the course, and a post-race headliner concert at the finish festival — making the musical entertainment an integral part of the race experience.
When is the Nashville Rock 'n' Roll Marathon held?: The Nashville Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is held in late April, typically the last Saturday of the month, when Tennessee spring is at its most pleasant — though temperatures can already be climbing toward 18–24 °C, so heat management is worth preparing for.
What is the weather like for the Nashville Marathon in April?: April in Nashville is warm and can be humid, with race temperatures typically between 13 °C and 22 °C. The warmth combined with the hilly course means runners should pace conservatively and factor hydration strategy into their race plan.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.

Close to this race

Nearby Marathons

Other races closest to Nashville.

HuntsvilleAlabamaUnited States· 161 km away

Rocket City Marathon

The Rocket City Marathon draws approximately 2,200 finishers each December on an urban road in Huntsville, United States. Few U.S. races lean into aerospace identity as fully as this long-running Alabama marathon. The course passes the U.S. Space & Rocket Center district, older neighborhoods, and broad roads under the Appalachian foothills. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Friday, 11 December 2026

ChickamaugaGeorgiaUnited States· 197 km away

Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon

The Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each November on a historic road in Chickamauga, United States. It is one of the few U.S. marathons run almost entirely through a national military park landscape. The route passes Civil War monuments, wooded park roads, and quiet battlefield loops on preserved historic land. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.

Next race: Saturday, 14 November 2026

LouisvilleKentuckyUnited States· 249 km away

Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon

The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon draws approximately 2,200 finishers each April through Louisville in the lead-up to the famous horse race. The course passes Churchill Downs, the Ohio River waterfront, and the Cherokee Park loop on rolling Kentucky terrain. April's Derby-season atmosphere and the mini-marathon tradition make it one of America's most festive spring marathons.

Next race: Saturday, 24 April 2027

MemphisTennesseeUnited States· 316 km away

St. Jude Memphis Marathon

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend draws approximately 1,846 marathon finishers each December through Tennessee's blues capital while raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The course passes Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Mississippi River bluffs on rolling Memphis terrain. December's mild Mid-South winter and the hospital's lifesaving mission make it America's most charitable marathon.

Next race: Saturday, 5 December 2026

AtlantaGeorgiaUnited States· 346 km away

Publix Atlanta Marathon

The Publix Atlanta Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each February on an urban road in Atlanta, United States. Atlanta's hills make this a true pacing race rather than a flat-city time trial. The route passes Midtown, Piedmont Park, and Atlanta neighborhood corridors with skyline views on repeated rollers. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.

Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027

FalmouthMassachusettsUnited States· 353 km away

Cape Cod Marathon

The Cape Cod Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each October on a scenic coastal road in Falmouth, United States. Its autumn timing captures Cape scenery after summer crowds fade. The route passes sea inlets, cranberry-country roads, and breezy sections with Buzzards Bay views. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.

Next race: Sunday, 11 October 2026

Find a Marathon →

Planning guides

Related guides

Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.

Marathon Course Profiles Explained

Marathon Course Profiles Explained

What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.

Marathon Weather: What to Expect

Marathon Weather: What to Expect

How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.

How to Choose a Marathon

How to Choose a Marathon

Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.

View all marathon guides →