Overall Rating
Overall Rating (52 Reviews)
3.8
(52 Ratings)  (52 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
3.8
SCENERY
3.8
PRODUCTION
3.9
SWAG
3.7
Run Music City! This unique event is jampacked with authentically Nashville music at every turn. Prepare to be immersed in music culture from the expo to the finish line when you join us for the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Nashville. Experience a legendary tour of Music City … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Apr 27):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  63  70  84  72  84
L (°F)  54  40  60  38  51
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):

Recent reviews

    jmattw02 FIRST-TIMER '23

    Nashville is a fun city to visit, lots of things to do. The race was very well put together. The only complaint I have is the lack of food trucks … MORE

    Nashville is a fun city to visit, lots of things to do. The race was very well put together. The only complaint I have is the lack of food trucks after the race. There were only a couple for several thousand people. The entertainment was awesome! Several bands performing along the course and at the post race party. I will definitely be going again.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    MattyIce FIRST-TIMER '23

    Enjoyed my quick trip to Nashville to check off Tennessee. I drove from Atlanta on Friday which was a hair under four hours. I tried to get through the expo … MORE

    Enjoyed my quick trip to Nashville to check off Tennessee. I drove from Atlanta on Friday which was a hair under four hours. I tried to get through the expo as quickly as possible which was a bit of a challenge given the a) volume of people and b) labyrinth the built to trap you with the vendors.

    Easy to get to the start: parked at Nissan and walked just over a mile to the line. Course was quite narrow at times but I just relaxed and embraced it. The other complication was, like many other big marathons, they released the half at the same time (easily ~80% of the total participants. llot of walkers). Between narrow roads and the absolute flood of people this one might be tough to PR unless you get in the first corral. Great race production with a band every mile and lots of volunteers with water / gatorade…always appreciated. Was a little weird at mile 16 where the half rejoined the full and it became a zoo again. Nashville was hillier than expected so it was a good fun challenge.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4
    My Media

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    I've now done 5 RnR races and this BY FAR has been the smoothest run, best supported of them. The Expo was well organized and flowed freely without feeling like … MORE

    I’ve now done 5 RnR races and this BY FAR has been the smoothest run, best supported of them. The Expo was well organized and flowed freely without feeling like you were funneled out the door, and was equipped with the standard Runners fare. The free admission to Musician’s Hall of Fame was a nice added touch!
    My only real complaint is the corral system RnR uses…ZERO accountability as walkers and slower runners got in where they wanted. I literally bumped into 3 walkers in the first quarter mile (avoided several others) and I was in Coral 6. The Hills were constant but not insurmountable, the race support from music to water to cheering crowds was fantastic! The downhill finish was great but all the turns once we got to Titan stadium were unnecessary.
    Would highly recommend and definitely would do again!!!!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    alvarezvegajr FIRST-TIMER '23

    Confusing when at 16 mi full and half share the same road. You find yourself running quite faster than a crowd of runners running the half marathon. MORE

    Confusing when at 16 mi full and half share the same road. You find yourself running quite faster than a crowd of runners running the half marathon.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Profile photo of Michele Brackett
    micheleruns REPEAT RUNNER '23

    The crowd participation was some of the best. Overall great race. Swag wasn’t too great. Nice shirts as usual. Medals are great. I found it easy to find my way … MORE

    The crowd participation was some of the best. Overall great race. Swag wasn’t too great. Nice shirts as usual. Medals are great.
    I found it easy to find my way on the course and the start went relatively smooth.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3
    My Media

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    nydogman10 FIRST-TIMER '23

    This is more than jus a race. It is a weekend party. The city of nashville can best be described as party central. so may restaurants and bars to visit … MORE

    This is more than jus a race. It is a weekend party. The city of nashville can best be described as party central. so may restaurants and bars to visit before and after the race. The event itself is very well organized. Plenty of water stations, gels, 2 biofreeze stations. Plus plenty of local residents giving water, beer, fruit, shots to runners as they pass bye. Route definitely had more hills than most runners anticipated. It was a nice challenge

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    MrMike FIRST-TIMER '23

    This is an excellent event and race. The course was amazing. The shirts were really nice. #1 VERY BAD thing about ALL of the Rock N Roll races is the … MORE

    This is an excellent event and race. The course was amazing. The shirts were really nice.
    #1 VERY BAD thing about ALL of the Rock N Roll races is the START!
    – They assign corrals that are 100% FALSE and not true.
    – Walkers are in the 1st corral, and then runners run into them or have to stop and wait until an opening appears.
    – Why have corrals if they do not start the corrals 30 to 45 seconds apart???
    – These guys do such a nice job on everything else, and then they DROP the ball when it comes to starting the races. Start the runners in waves. 1 minute apart, depending on the size of the wave.
    – Assign the corrals according to speed, NOT when a person signs up for the race. They need to take a lesson from Hot Chocolate events.

    Such a good event, and they need to get runners up front, and the walkers need to be in the rear, not upfront. So many people were running into walkers at the start of the race and falling down.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Profile photo of Erin Holland
    erinbarefoot2016 REPEAT RUNNER '22

    The race over was fantastic! Just like most marathons the first half is always full of enthusiasm and excitement to keep you going while the back half is quiet and … MORE

    The race over was fantastic! Just like most marathons the first half is always full of enthusiasm and excitement to keep you going while the back half is quiet and dead. Don’t underestimate the hills on this marathon. They definitely took their toll on my legs and slowed me down a lot.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

    1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    This is by far the best race i have ever ran it’s a party from the start until way after the finish. The crowds are out cheering you on and … MORE

    This is by far the best race i have ever ran it’s a party from the start until way after the finish. The crowds are out cheering you on and you have so much support from people you don’t even know. The downtown bars offer shots of rum if you have your if bracelet on. I absolutely loved everything about this race..

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3
    My Media

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    brizy FIRST-TIMER '22

    It’s a big race which means big expo, good swag, lots of people cheering, and a cluster at the start line and I wasn’t prepared for the heat or the … MORE

    It’s a big race which means big expo, good swag, lots of people cheering, and a cluster at the start line and I wasn’t prepared for the heat or the hills. Loved getting to see the city on foot and having the roads to ourselves though. Felt like they needed another water stop near the end for the half. After party is huge- but I didn’t stick around on account of the heat. Stayed at a hotel downtown near the start which meant a decent walk back over the bridge to our hotel after the race, but made getting to the start a breeze and didn’t have to fight the crowds for the bathrooms.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    MarthaS FIRST-TIMER '22

    The Rock n Roll Nashville marathon was (like all Rock n Roll events) a well-organized race. Bib and t-shirt pick up were a breeze. The expo had the usual vendors … MORE

    The Rock n Roll Nashville marathon was (like all Rock n Roll events) a well-organized race. Bib and t-shirt pick up were a breeze. The expo had the usual vendors selling whatever you might have forgotten to pack. There were lots of porta potties en route. There were lots of musicians and good music along the course. Mile markers were clearly marked (though Rock n Roll miles seem to be longer than what my Garmin records which can be agonizing as the race goes on). The split-offs between the half and full marathoners were not well marked however; fortunately I saw them all and didn’t make any mistakes but wondered at the time how many people might have missed them…Seeing reports here, unfortunately a few did.

    The marathon route was also one of the more interesting ones for Rock n Roll in the US. It was much more interesting than the Rock n Roll Arizona and San Antonio marathons. The marathon and half marathon started on Broadway and 8th Ave South. We ran a few blocks west and then south past Belmont University, north past the Tennessee State Capitol. We got to run around the outer field of the First Horizon Park which is the official stadium of the Nashville Sounds Baseball Club and got to see our image projected on the guitar-shaped scoreboard. The kicker was during miles 20 to almost 24 we ran two loops around Sevier Lake which had a long hill to run up twice, and at that point I wanted it to be over. We finished at Nissan Stadium, the home field of the Tennessee Titans.

    For someone who trains in Northern California and on moderate hills with some regularity, the Nashville course should have seemed flat and fast. The race director warned about the first 8 miles; “take it easy on the first 8”. So while running I didn’t think the hills were terribly challenging. But the heat quickly rose and by mile 11 it was already 73 degrees with 38% humidity. I was starting to perspire at mile 1 and I don’t perspire normally that quickly. By mile 14 I knew this was not going to be a PR; in fact I was reframing the race in terms of just finishing. About mile 10, I started taking a water for me and pouring a water over my head. I took ice cold wet rags 3 times over the last half. I drank whenever water was offered and I took both offerings of pickle juice. It was all about trying to keep my body temperature down as much as possible. By the end, the temperature was 83 degrees, and I think we were within a couple degrees of the race director having to close the race. Fortunately, I don’t think anyone suffered any serious heat related ramifications (at least I checked online afterwards and I saw none reported).

    My time should have been under 5 hours for this race, but the heat was a killer. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the experience (as much as one can while undergoing the pain of a marathon) and enjoyed visiting Nashville. Beside the obvious tourist draws like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Johnny Cash Museum, check out the Tennessee State Museum; it’s free and worth a visit.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    jsspinner FIRST-TIMER '22

    Pre race communication was adequate. Expo was a decent size and easy to navigate. For a race of this size, I thought the pre-race port-o-toilet availability was really inadequate. The … MORE

    Pre race communication was adequate.
    Expo was a decent size and easy to navigate.
    For a race of this size, I thought the pre-race port-o-toilet availability was really inadequate. The lines were really long for the few that they had.
    Crowd support was AWESOME!
    The St. Jude section was amazing to see.
    The course was a constant downhill or uphill with a lot of turns and no real flat sections. There were multiple places where runners stacked up.
    Don’t run this race looking for a PR.
    Overall, I would recommend the race.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    titans1fan92 FIRST-TIMER '22

    Completed the Nashville Marathon for the first time in 22 after completing the half in previous years. You start on Nashville Broadway in downtown. The first 10 miles or so … MORE

    Completed the Nashville Marathon for the first time in 22 after completing the half in previous years. You start on Nashville Broadway in downtown. The first 10 miles or so the half and full are together. You basically run from downtown to Belmont University and back. Once you do that the half and full split off a for a little bit. The half crosses the bridge and goes to the finish line at Nissan Stadium. While full goes another 3-4 miles or so including my personal favorite part of running on the minor league baseball stadium of the Nashville sounds. You actually get to run around the field and get placed on the big board. Then you briefly join up with the half again across the bridge. When you cross it the half finishes at Nissan while the full keeps going to Shelby Park were you do two loops in back to finish at Nissan.

    At the time of writing this was my 4th marathon (also done 3 half). This was by far the hardest race for me. 1) The Heat. Lot of years you could get lucky and this is not a factor for you. However, it was in the 80s the last ten miles or so and it was hot. I personally think if it was 10-15 degree cooler then I would of done about 15-30 minutes better. Second it is very very hilly. The first part was not to bad for me. Yes downtown Nashville hilly, but I bet other cities can be just as bad. The worst part is Shelby Park. There was a hill there that was insane. It was the worst. You had to do it twice witch made it extra bad. The hills and heat were not a good combination for me personally.

    However, the rest of it was great. They had a lot of live music on the course. The volunteers at the aid station were great. Water, Gatorade, Gel, and even this Febreze they sprayed you that i have never done before that was great. The race day pick up was Thursday and Friday before the race in the huge conference center in downtown Nashville. It was extremely well organized. Additionally there was a lot of fun vendors at it too. Selling all sorts of stuff. I really liked the Tshirt and the Medal is usually always sin the shape of a Guitar.

    Overall it was a good marathon. I wish it was in early April Vs late April to avoid the risk of really hot days like I did in 2022. However, hopefully most years it will be better. Would recommend it. Just watch out for some crazy hills the last 5 miles of the race.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    lgt2037 FIRST-TIMER '22

    We ran by so many amazing sites. I'd read reviews so I trained for hills but, as another reviewer put it, they were "relentless." I had STUDIED the map but … MORE

    We ran by so many amazing sites. I’d read reviews so I trained for hills but, as another reviewer put it, they were “relentless.” I had STUDIED the map but expected signage and course marshals would help because the Halfs and Fulls split several times. I missed the third split, ran back, and found I’d missed the second split. I was now off course, they were running out of supplies, and had been told the six hour limit was firm. Mid 80s heat and concern that I’d be running over 28 miles to finish and could easily get lost in a park with possibly no support, I stopped at 15.05 and enjoyed the music – which was GREAT. The volunteers did their best, can’t do much about the heat, but they really needed better directional signage and more course marshals. This is one where you can’t just follow and the pre-race maps were poor. It was four pages after I guessed at the map in PlotaRoute. If I’d been faster I would have had other Full runners to follow but at the back of the pack you had to rely on signs blocked by Half runners and course marshals who apparently couldn’t pick out a handfull of back of the pack Full runners mixed in with thousands running the Half. UPDATE: After running the Columbus Cap City Half Marathon the following week, I realized how RNR Nashville had TRULY FALLEN SHORT. I learned that they had run out of water and ice (in 83 degree heat) and that the experience was not a good one for other runners as well. Race officials in Columbus YELLED, had bright orange signs, and made sure that no one could miss the turn-offs for different races, UNLIKE AT NASHVILLE. This is my third RNR race that let me down so I’m done with them. I can’t recommend this race.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    1
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    jessnbond May 06, 2022 at 8:21pm

    I got off course too! I turned into the ball field too early. I ended up repeating part of the course later on to make up the missed 1.8 miles… MORE

    I got off course too! I turned into the ball field too early. I ended up repeating part of the course later on to make up the missed 1.8 miles before I crossed the finish line. But I was officially disqualified, which sucks because I ran 26.2 miles out there. Very frustrating that the course wasn’t well enough marked/there wasn’t a support person out there to keep me from turning too early. I couldn’t have been alone. LESS

    Please login to reply to this review.

    lgt2037 Jun 02, 2022 at 6:56pm

    That's so disappointing but you know you finished and that's FANTASTIC. Good job!

    That's so disappointing but you know you finished and that's FANTASTIC. Good job!

    Please login to reply to this review.

    vaidilingam FIRST-TIMER '22

    Heat, Hills and Winds - You have the trifecta in abundance at this race. While the race was well organized, it's a very tough race. There is a 2-mile repeat … MORE

    Heat, Hills and Winds – You have the trifecta in abundance at this race. While the race was well organized, it’s a very tough race.

    There is a 2-mile repeat loop that has to be run between. 20 and 24. Heart-breaking for the faint hearted.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    hseitz FIRST-TIMER '22

    My first Rock n Roll race. They definitely brought a great party atmosphere to Nashville. We started near Broadway in downtown, and ended next to the Titans stadium. I can … MORE

    My first Rock n Roll race. They definitely brought a great party atmosphere to Nashville. We started near Broadway in downtown, and ended next to the Titans stadium. I can handle hills, and to a lesser extent the heat, but the combo of heat (up to 80 F) and hills today was too much for me to handle. I slowed down at mile 21 and walked most of the rest of the way. And I had never slowed down to walk in a marathon before (this was my 10th).

    What a great tour of Nashville, though. The course did a great job of touring the city, hitting up Broadway, the State Capitol, the riverside, Belmont/Vanderbilt, and finally the Titans stadium. Plenty of DJs and a fair amount of live music, and the volunteers did their best with water/gatorade/iced sponges/water-soaked towels. Just beware, we run into a park around a lake called Shelby Park from miles 20-23, and this park CLAIMS LIVES. Specifically, there is a hill we must run up twice that is like a 30 degree angle. Please save some energy for this park.

    Parking is first-come first serve in the Titans stadium parking lot. Marathon started at 7:20 am and you could still find a spot almost up to start time. There were about 23,000 total runners across the races, I believe.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    theslimrunner REPEAT RUNNER '21

    Rock’n’Roll Nashville is a charmer. Always puts on a great race. It is hilly, but you get an amazing tour of the city. Add this race to your bucket list! … MORE

    Rock’n’Roll Nashville is a charmer. Always puts on a great race. It is hilly, but you get an amazing tour of the city. Add this race to your bucket list!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    tsltan FIRST-TIMER '21

    Nashville has taken over Las Vegas as the city for bachelor and bachelorette parties. And this city knows how to throw a party, even for marathon runners. High energy in … MORE

    Nashville has taken over Las Vegas as the city for bachelor and bachelorette parties. And this city knows how to throw a party, even for marathon runners. High energy in the air with music entertainment along the course, which includes many iconic landmarks on the course, including Broadway’s honky-tonks, Dolly Parton’s recording studio, Country Music Hall of Fame. A little too hilly for most runners to PR on this course. Expo and Finish line is at the Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans! The bling was super tiny and nothing fancy.

    Check out my YouTube video below.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3
    My Media

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Profile photo of Pamela Reeves Rainey
    lsun2shine FIRST-TIMER '21

    The scenery was amazing! The atmosphere was amazing! The rolling hills were the only thing that really wasn’t ready for. They even call one point “the summit”! Either way! I … MORE

    The scenery was amazing! The atmosphere was amazing! The rolling hills were the only thing that really wasn’t ready for. They even call one point “the summit”! Either way! I loved the race. It will be even better in 5 mo the when the weather is better

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    2

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    conigliol FIRST-TIMER '21

    This was by far the hardest race I’ve ever participated in. I trained for the hills I’ve heard all about and I still struggled. My Garmin read that there was … MORE

    This was by far the hardest race I’ve ever participated in. I trained for the hills I’ve heard all about and I still struggled. My Garmin read that there was over 1,000 feet of elevation gained throughout this course. Honestly, pretty disappointed with the swag. One of the most expensive races and the only swag we received was a drawstring bag and a tee shirt, the medals were tiny. the expo was kind of a joke. I needed to stock up on fuel and there was nothing available at all. The volunteers gave out gels at some of the mile stops but it was a brand I’ve never heard of and didnt want to chance anything new. There were some stages set up throughout the course which was pretty cool though! If considering this specific race, I’d suggest doing the half first.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    2
    My Media

    1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

    Please login to reply to this review.

  1. Races
  2. St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville