The 2026 Nashville Marathon will occur on April 25, featuring 23,000 runners. This marks the 26th edition of the event, which started in 2000 and has seen over 604,000 participants.
Key points
2026 Nashville Marathon scheduled for April 25
Expected participation of 23,000 runners
26th edition of the marathon since 2000
Total of 604,697 runners have participated
Race begins at 7:20 a.m. CT
St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Nashville
What to know about the 2026 Nashville marathon with 23,000 runners
It is the 26th edition of the race, which began as a marathon in 2000. Since then, a total of 604,697 runners have participated in the marathon, half-marathon, and its other events.
Here is everything you need to know about the race, which begins at 7:20 a.m. CT:
Where are the start and finish lines for the Nashville marathon?
The starting line for the Nashville marathon and half marathon is at 8th Ave. and Broadway. Both courses cross the Cumberland River and finish at Nissan Stadium (Lot H/North End Zone).
The courses pass by iconic landmarks like Broadway, Music Row, The Gulch, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and more.
The most significant change from 2025 is that the course will not run through the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, which is under construction. That distance will be made up inside the Nashville Sounds First Horizon Park, in East Nashville and Shelby Park.
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How many events are in the Nashville marathon?
In addition to the Nashville marathon (26.2 miles) and half marathon (13.1 miles), other events include a 10K, 5K, 1-mile race, KiDS ROCK (ages 14 and under), and Doggie Dash (0.5-mile run/walk featuring pets).
The 1-mile race will take place on April 26, starting at 12:30 p.m., followed by the KiDS ROCK at 1 p.m. and the Doggie Dash at 2 p.m. These races start at 8th Ave. and Demonbreum.
Will there be entertainment at the Nashville marathon?
More than 25 bands will perform across the course during the race.
Five concerts are scheduled for the area near the finish line, including Gregg Pratt (8:00-9:45 a.m.), Rodeo Disco (10:00-12:30 p.m.), Nashville Line Dancing (12:30-1:30 p.m.), and house music (1:30-2 p.m.).
How many runners will be in the Nashville marathon and half marathon?
A total of about 23,000 runners/walkers are expected to participate in all of the events.
About 4,400 will be in the marathon and more than 12,000 in the half marathon. More than 7,000 will be in the other events.
The largest full marathon field turned out in 2000 at 7,500. The fewest was 1,500 in 2021, the year after the event was canceled because of COVID.
The largest half marthon field was 30,918 in 2011.
What is the weather forecast for the Nashville marathon?
Temperatures will be in the low to mid-60s at the start of the race, with the possibility of light rain and high humidity under cloudy skies.
Temperatures will reach the low 70s later in the day as the humidity drops, but the chance for showers slightly increases. Winds will be out of the north at 7 mph.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
