I am training for nashville, as my first marathon. Did memphis half last month.


Any advice to deal with the hills? I am used to running in Memphis, where it's pretty flat.

I've done all 7 Country Music Marathons, so I've seen it change a bunch over the years. They've messed with the course a bit to take out the worst 3 sections, but it's still what I'd call "rolling". It's not too terrible, though. Just train accordingly and DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST!! You'll be sorry later if you do. I should know ... I've done it all 7 times. You'd think I'd learn by now.

Actually, to me the bigger misery fear is the potential for heat rather than the hills. I mean, it's in the south (although the northern south) at the end of April, so what do you expect? Most of the 7 years so far haven't been too bad. All but a few have been warm but not too bad; one year was actually pretty decent; but one year was absolutely miserable. If you're coming from a cooler climate or it hasn't quite gotten all that spring-like where you live, be ready. About the only thing you can be sure of is it's not going to be cold.

The marathon itself is very, very fun. It's well run, and it's just a good time (other than the heat and hills, that is). I know what you mean about the expo being a pain in the past, but it seems to have gotten better than last couple of years. On the other hand, the marathon has grown tremendously lately, so I guess each year is a new challenge for them to handle the increased crowds. We'll see how they do this year.

You ask, you receive: actually I have this as a word document as so many have asked


Course starts off in beautiful West End adjacent to Centennial Park and the Vandy campus. I have a covered spot, warm, and w/ restroom facilities one block from the start if you are interested.

Race starts on a wide avenue (7 lanes) and runs a few small rollers for a couple of miles and then has a small grade to M3 where the course becomes out and back and narrows considerably - in past years they have used snow fencing to divide the road. This continues to M4.5 where you turn off into a subdivision for about two miles of gentle rollers. Then back to the out and back fencing at the 10K mark.

There is a running store "The Athletes House" you will pass twice (at just past M3 and around M7.5) in case you need anything.

Just before M8 the runners go one way down 18th Avenue heading to downtown through Music Row with a right at the roundabout - smile as you pass the statue - and runs down the tracks under Broadway. Watch your step through here until M10.5. Long gentle grades until M12.

Somewhat desolate during the next two miles as you go past the 20K and halfway point before climbing onto a levee and running down the river for a couple of miles on a blacktop path. Depending on the day, this section can be very cold and windy, or pleasant, or hot and muggy. I ran it two weeks ago at 37 degrees with the wind out of the NW at 15-20. I was properly attired and it seemed like a sunny, spring day. I ran it two years ago in the rain during the 04 Thon and it was the most miserable run of my life.

Be careful coming off the levee as the course is 30-40* grade for about 20 yards. I move to the left and walk down this section. The course ambles through a commercial district for a couple of miles. You will run past the Titans training facility just after that steep grade. At M17 you will start the worst grade on the course IMHO, stop at the McDonalds if you need to, but consider pressing on to the top to get it out of the way.

The course turns left and passes the Farmers Market and enters Centennial Park - watch the roundabouts - before passing under the railroad tracks and heading uphill again into downtown. Rest easy, as the course will pass over the river just before M20, and then go downhill to the flat portion of the course.

Look to your right at the stadium and finish line for the Half Marathon course. Your finish is on the other side of the stadium and 6 miles down the road. Two little rollers get you to Davidson St at M21. Run one mile to the left turn towards the lake in Shelby Park for a two mile loop with the lake to your right. Watch for the Geese. The path meanders and some say this is disturbing, but it never bothered me.

M24 finishes the loop and starts you heading downtown to the stadium and the finish. Pass the junkyard (Recycling Facility) at M25.5, under the Interstate, and look for the stadium lights. You will run to the Southside of the facility, turn left at M26 and roll to the finish.

Does anyone have any hotel and dinning recommendations. I will be coming down with about 5-8 members of my running group and we are looking for some direction for that.

Also do people recommend parking at the finish and shuttleing to the start.
The derby Marathon runs a similar system to that and I think that is the route we are going to go, but again..just looking for some comments from the veterans.