Nashville 1/2 Marathon & 5K
Nashville, TN
- Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Nashville 1/2 Marathon & 5K has earned its reputation as a premier running event in the heart of Music City, and this year promises to be even more special! Starting and ending at First Horizon Park, participants will embark on a scenic route that winds through the historic streets, … MORE
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Pretty Great Race! Little Hilly.
I thought this was a great race; it was a good little tour of Nashville (so it was definitely a scenic course). I liked it and would recommend it. It … MORE
I thought this was a great race; it was a good little tour of Nashville (so it was definitely a scenic course). I liked it and would recommend it. It was a little hilly, but not nearly as hilly as other races that I have done.
Unremarkable
The course was fine, nothing too difficult, expo was fairly small, the race itself honestly felt fairly small, it goes around the city and was cool that it ran by … MORE
The course was fine, nothing too difficult, expo was fairly small, the race itself honestly felt fairly small, it goes around the city and was cool that it ran by Nissan Stadium and started at their minor league baseball stadium, but nothing too extraordinary. Some small hills but nothing major.
Shouldn’t even offer the full marathon
Starting with the bathroom situation before the race, the only option for bathrooms is inside the stadium which is not even where the start line is and with only one … MORE
Starting with the bathroom situation before the race, the only option for bathrooms is inside the stadium which is not even where the start line is and with only one small entrance, the line is horrendous. There are zero porta potties outside where the actual race starts. The course itself is not fast at all with some hills that are aggressively steep both uphill and downhill. Guarantee some people gained some injuries running them especially for a full marathon. The course also gets pretty desolate for the marathon in the second half. They definitely do not give a crap if you’re a top 3 finisher. After finishing in second place, exhausted, I walked around back and forth through the finish area trying to find the awards/results table since I read on the website that they wouldn’t mail awards afterwards. Kept asking different staff where I should go to get my official time and award and no one really knew. I just kept getting directed to the opposite side I just came from until finally someone just said, they would mail the awards, so I just gave up and went home. Here we are a month later and I haven’t gotten anything, not even a race photo to remember this by. Would not recommend this race to anyone, there are so many better options out there.
Would not do this one again
Was excited to run in Nashville. Then I saw the released course map and thought Meh with the out and backs. Too late already signed up. Packet pick up was … MORE
Was excited to run in Nashville. Then I saw the released course map and thought Meh with the out and backs. Too late already signed up. Packet pick up was very slow moving line. Not much of an expo. Fleet feet offered to put some extra design printing on back of shirt, which probably contributed to the back up. Why not just have the design on the shirt? Pick up started at noon which basically breaks your day if you had anything planned. Start of the race was a big cluster. Gear check and bathrooms were inside the stadium and there were 2 extremely long queues due to security check. Gear check should not be so stressful. Only reason I got to race start on time was because people in line gave up. The course was quite hilly. Running up the bridge was no joke. Scenery was ok. Ran through some nice trendy areas. There was one section after the bridge that was industrial and blah. Never got any gels as mentioned for the hydration/nutrition stations. I am so glad I brought my own pack with fluids and a few gels/chews. Do not count on the race organizers to provide that. Can only rely on self. I could have used an extra gel. I was wiped from the return run up the bridge. Overall I am fine that I did the race but not sure if it was worth the time and money to travel to Nashville for it. I cannot say I would recommend this race.
Not great
I ran this race since I happened to be in town at the same time. It was a fairly expensive race so I had high hopes. Expo was very bare … MORE
I ran this race since I happened to be in town at the same time. It was a fairly expensive race so I had high hopes. Expo was very bare minimum. Race swag was very ok. Just a basic cotton t-shirt.
Race day was not great. Not enough restrooms in the beginning. Also could have started earlier to avoid a bit of heat. Race was pretty crowded in the beginning with the out and back pieces. The course overall was pretty hilly.
The finish at the ballpark was fun and but their rules were very strict and was yelled at a few times by volunteers saying I can’t get back in if I leave. The “after party” was next to nothing. Hardly any snacks or drinks after the race. I would expect this for a cheaper smaller race but spending over $95 for a race you would at least expect more than a bottle of water and a few snacks.
I would not travel specifically for this race but if you are local it’s ok.
Terrible marathon
If I could give it zero stars I would. Terribly organized, course was poorly marked, many runners cut the course (accidentally or on purpose). Didn’t provide pacers like advertised. Course … MORE
If I could give it zero stars I would. Terribly organized, course was poorly marked, many runners cut the course (accidentally or on purpose).
Didn’t provide pacers like advertised.
Course was way too congested during the first out and back.
Aid stations poorly manned and I was denied water at two stations.
Honky Tonk Half
Really well put on and fun race in Nashville! Expo, start line and finish line were all very well run and enjoyable! The course was the best kind of challenging … MORE
Really well put on and fun race in Nashville! Expo, start line and finish line were all very well run and enjoyable! The course was the best kind of challenging (that bridge hill at mile 12… woof)!
bad scenery, aid stations, and photogs
Disgusting course, half of it was just a straight stretch taking us by a dump. Got a couple of oz of water at the too spaced out aid stations. Hardly … MORE
Disgusting course, half of it was just a straight stretch taking us by a dump. Got a couple of oz of water at the too spaced out aid stations. Hardly any photos of anyone. I do not recommend this race.
Has potential but not a PR course
Packet pickup was quick but lack luster. Not really an expo and had no places to shop at or get any cool running stuff with the city name on it. … MORE
Packet pickup was quick but lack luster. Not really an expo and had no places to shop at or get any cool running stuff with the city name on it. I was expecting more since it was held at stadium. They started right on time, but not enough porta potties at the beginning so many were still in line. Half and marathon began at same time which was cool to start with a friend running full. Pretty hilly course so would be tough to get a PR but later in year so temps are nice which could help. Course had lots of turns, partial loop and partial out and back. They were marked well and I liked seeing a stream of people coming back at you so you could cheer on a friend that was at a different point in race. Not a lot of crowd support. Not a big extravaganza at end. I was surprised with how small it felt for such a big busting city. I’ve ran quite a few races and this one was just mediocre. I would not travel to do it again. Race results also took a day to post and were hard to see how you ranked overall in your gender.
Great Tour of Nashville
I really enjoyed this race for a few reasons. First, The scenery along the river was amazing and one of the best parts of the race in my opinion (music … MORE
I really enjoyed this race for a few reasons. First, The scenery along the river was amazing and one of the best parts of the race in my opinion (music row and the downtown area were great too). Second, the course was nice even though it was a partial loop course. Third, I was able to get a personal best an inch my way to sub-4-hour marathon time in my second marathon. I would recommend this race and would definitely run it again.
Do it once
Packet pick up is painless at a local running store. Parking there sucks so be prepared to pay to park in a garage. Race day parking is easy. The city … MORE
Packet pick up is painless at a local running store. Parking there sucks so be prepared to pay to park in a garage. Race day parking is easy. The city parking lots revert to “ special event” rates=$20. Very close to the start. The course for the full marathon is boring. One loop through music row, then around Titan Stadium through the industrial park to the greenway? Along the river. It’s an out and back loop. The pavement is asphalt but broken and patched so many times. It is seriously tough on lightweight running shoes. So after the turn around it’s back around Titan Stadium and towards the finish line ( for the half runners). Full marathon runners break off, head back towards the stadium, run around it again, and head further down the green belt. It’s a boring run in that you feel like you’re repeating yourself. And you are. Spectators are very sparse. That’s because this is a small run-not the huge field like the spring Nashville marathon (R&R). Finish line is nice with the free cold pizza. I ran the full in 2015 and wasn’t going to run it again. I forgot and here I am. I won’t run the full again. I think it is a better than average half and a boring full.
Boring course with few runners
Once you leave the downtown area (after approximately 4 miles) you run the same section of the course on two different out and backs that has absolutely no scenery. During … MORE
Once you leave the downtown area (after approximately 4 miles) you run the same section of the course on two different out and backs that has absolutely no scenery. During the second, further out and back, the half-marathoners are no longer running and there a very few marathoners so you will find yourself running alone. Was not mentally prepared for this challenge.
Hilly and chilly, but fun
It was a good race overall. Starting temp was around 28 with 14 mph winds, but the sun was out. The toughest part of the race is early, between miles … MORE
It was a good race overall. Starting temp was around 28 with 14 mph winds, but the sun was out. The toughest part of the race is early, between miles 2 and 4. After that, it gets easier until around mile 12 when you climb a bridge. I went with the 1:30 pace group and they were really good, but I didn’t hear the same about some of the other pacers. Medals and shirts were really nice, but I didn’t see a lot of post race food options. Race support was rather sparse as well. The course was confusing at times and the turn around point was rather subtle and anti-climatic. I was glad I was with the pace group during those parts. The dead possum at mile 10 was rather amusing and gross at the same time. Overall, it was a good race and I enjoyed the parts of the course that go through the city.
Excellent TN race
-Part city streets, part paved trail -Easy parking, although packet pickup was sort of a pain -Be prepared for Nashville traffic, not sure what's broken there, but we have an … MORE
-Part city streets, part paved trail
-Easy parking, although packet pickup was sort of a pain
-Be prepared for Nashville traffic, not sure what’s broken there, but we have an issue and have long slow waits every time we go through
-Aid stations were good, directions were good, and volunteers were friendly
Nice but little crowd support
I really liked this marathon, but mainly because I had a very good run. It did have some hills at the beginning, but flattened out in the second half of … MORE
I really liked this marathon, but mainly because I had a very good run. It did have some hills at the beginning, but flattened out in the second half of the 13.1 mile loop that we did twice. Very little in the way of crowd support, but there was a lot of beer and pizza at the finish. There were also free massages at the finish, but the lines were kind of long. Not much in the way of scenery except for the usual sights of Nashville. I was kind of disappointed that there wasn’t any music along the route, not even street musicians. I would give it a grade of B.
1st Half Marathon Ever
This was my first race ever, and I learned a lot from it. Don't dress too warm, you will heat up quick. This race goes through lots great parts of … MORE
This was my first race ever, and I learned a lot from it. Don’t dress too warm, you will heat up quick. This race goes through lots great parts of the city, lots of interesting neighborhoods.
Inaugural Country Music Marathon
Very hilly course but well organized for an inaugural race. At this time RNR only had 5 races available. Perfect weather on this date. Part of the "Rock Star" qualifying … MORE
Very hilly course but well organized for an inaugural race. At this time RNR only had 5 races available. Perfect weather on this date. Part of the “Rock Star” qualifying racist this time.