Natchez Trace Trail Run
Franklin, TN
- 50 Miler, Marathon, Half Marathon
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Natchez Trace Trail Run is an excellent introduction to trail racing and a strong choice for runners tackling their first trail marathon or first 50-mile race. The course rewards smart pacing, steady effort, and attention to fueling. Long stretches of uninterrupted trail allow runners to settle in and focus … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Nov 07):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 74 | 68 | 79 | 74 | 65 |
| L (°F) | 52 | 61 | 55 | 62 | 32 |
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Beautiful run. Fun trail
I was happy with my performance with this being my first trail run. I did not train very much but I think I had good rest the week of and … MORE
I was happy with my performance with this being my first trail run. I did not train very much but I think I had good rest the week of and got my nutrition right. I can’t go more than 45 minutes without taking something (ideally gel) and I need to take one just before the start. Ran with Scott and Jordan. Scott until about mile 13 and Jordan until about mile 22. I wouldn’t have done as well without them. Got third place which was cool (for my age group). Lots of unexpected elevation, but it was nice to walk the uphills. I’ll definitely do a trail race again. Maybe Tim to run to run?
Not hard, but not easy
This race should have been faster for me. It is very technical in places though and I tend to run a lot slower than the average person on more technical … MORE
This race should have been faster for me. It is very technical in places though and I tend to run a lot slower than the average person on more technical stuff. I’m not turtle slow, but I’m more turtle than hare. This is a small race in a really pretty area along the Trace, with small towns nearby. There are none of the really tourist-worthy tunnel-like parts of the Old Trace along the course. I was disappointed to not have seen that.
I believe there were indoor toilets at the start line. Parking was easy. Packet pick up was easy.
The one thing they do need to improve on is the website instructions. It was hard to figure out if they had a half marathon or just a 13.1 ruck. So I thought I had registered for the HM but as the race neared and I started to work out the race day details, it seemed that there was no HM, that the only 13.1 distance required a 20lb pack, or something like that. So I took that to ruck in and only discovered on the shuttle up to the start that I didn’t need to take it, that I could run the HM. There were 15 or 20 other HM runners and they didn’t appear confused, so maybe I just missed the clear instructions somewhere.
I’m glad I ran this race but wouldn’t run it again. It was just more technical than I like for a trail run, in places, and not as enjoyable of a run as I like to have on a trail run. But I’m glad I spent a few hours on the Trace. Lots of history on that old road.