Nashville is all about country music – so get ready to rock out while taking in the sights of Music City!

Streets are lined with recording studios, and some of the best new talent in country music can be found among the artists that call Nashville home. The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is a race in the heart of Music City and is sure to deliver a rewarding and exhilarating marathon and half marathon experience.

The race begins at the Ryman Auditorium and heads south towards the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This historic museum opened in 1967 and has been dedicated to preserving the foundations of country music ever since. In their words, “Country music is still devoted to the lyric and to the telling of stories, which people love and people need.”

After the museum, you’ll run to Sevier Park and head north, back towards the center of town and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. Head north on Rosa Parks Blvd toward the Cumberland River and cruise past the home of the Tennessee Titans – right along the banks of the river.

The Cumberland River stretches over 688 miles long and runs west from the Appalachians across Kentucky and Tennessee. The half marathon ends just over the Cumberland River at LP Field, while the marathon takes a loop on the shores of the Cumberland – via the Music City Bikeway. This breathtaking path spans 26 miles of greenways, bike paths, and special bike lanes to connect the Percy Priest Dam and Percy Priest Park – largely avoiding any areas with automobile traffic. This stretch of the course hugs the edge of the river and loops around Shelby Park. Once you’ve navigated the green spaces of the park, you’ll head back west and approach the finish line at LP Field.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville course delivers the sights and sounds of the heart of Nashville – and gives runners a street-level view of just how unique and dynamic this city really is. As you log each mile during the race, your ears will be treated to the familiar and comforting rel="noopener noreferrer" sounds of country music. While many of our races rel="noopener noreferrer" use rock ‘n’ roll rel="noopener noreferrer" music to pump you up, it is fitting that we showcase the sounds of country music while you’re running. As the home of the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville screams country. With both heartfelt ballads and up-tempo modern country songs, you’re certain to discover new hits and reconnect with cherished old favorites.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & ½ Marathon combines a terrific course with lively country music, meaning you’ll be moving and grooving in no time!