Country Music Marathon - UPDATED Course Preview

Due to construction,some overcrowded roads and the need for more parking at the finish the Nashville course has some slight changes.  I would love to be able to report that the changes removed some hills... but I cannot.  The biggest changes are in miles 4 - 8, 14 - 18 and a finish line relocated to the opposite side of LP Field. 

The Country Music Marathon & Half-Marathon offers big crowds, high energy and a scenic, challenging course.  The course has numerous rolling hills, but it is not considered a hard, hilly run.  I caught flack for this statement last year.  I was accused of "sniffing glue" by one disgruntled reader!  Is Nashville hilly?  Yes.  Are there hills on the course?  Yes.  Can you run a fast time in Nashville? Yes!  With the right strategy and fitness a fast time can be had.

The 1/2 Marathon rolls in the middle and then is net downhill over the final 5 miles... except for that last big hill behind the State Capital at 12.5 miles. 

The Marathon rolls from 2 - 8, 14 - 18 and one last steady climb in mile 25.

The Start

Arrive early.  Whether you park at LP Field and take a shuttle, park near the start or walk from your hotel… arrive early.   This race is BIG.  Allow plenty of time to park, walk, stretch, visit the restroom, turn in your gear and find your start corral.  Eliminate any pre-race stress caused by the crowds or traffic.  Once you get to Centennial Park… relax. 

The course starts out flat as you head towards downtown on West End.  Get into your pace, don’t waste energy weaving in and out of the crowds.  Near the 1.5 mile mark the course plunges downhill into the Broadway entertainment district as you pass the historic Ryman Auditorium and the old original downtown honky-tonks.  Two quick right turns after mile 2 puts you in front of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a long half-mile climb out of downtown.  Relax and concentrate on form as you tackle the first serious hill of the day. 

Music Row

When you reach mile 3 and turn through the Music Row traffic circle you are in the heart of the country music world.  You will notice the offices of all the major record labels and recording studios as you head up 17^th Ave.  This area represents the largest concentration of musicians, songwriters and music producers anywhere.

Miles 4 thru 8 represent the first big course change from previous years. Instead of the old crowded out-and-back on Belmont Blvd., the course runs out on Belmont almost to Lipscomb University.  It then turns left on Clifton Lane and left again onto Granny White Pike.  The two mile stretch on Granny White Pike contains a few of the most challenging rollers on the course.  Not overly steep or long but one after another.

There is another good climb when you turn onto Wedgewood in front of Belmont College at Mile 8

When you finally turn right onto 16th Ave you are again headed downtown and rewarded with a 3 mile net downhill stretch.   If you focused on holding a steady, manageable effort on the hills you get some of your lost pace back on this stretch.  You will make your way back through Music Row as you cover miles 8 – 10 and begin to see the downtown skyline.   The course changes quickly as you cross over I-40 and enter downtown.  A quick trip through the ultra-hip “Gulch” area of condos and restaurants leads to quiet 11^th Ave. next to the railroad depot.  Half-marathoners should use this flat stretch to gather themselves mentally and physically for the last 2.2 miles.  Marathoners should just continue to focus and relax because the race has not really started yet.

Half-Marathon Turn

Just past mile 11 the half marathoners will turn towards home.   A right turn onto Harrison and a run through Bicentennial Park leads to the right turn under the arched bridge.  As you exit the underpass the State Capital is perched on the hill in front of you.  After a quick right and a u-turn you pass the final aid station and face the toughest hill on the course.  It is not overly steep but it comes at the 12 mile mark and curves slightly to the right so you cannot see the top for a few minutes.  Just stay focused because when you get to the top you are home free!  You are rewarded with a long downhill across the river and you can see LP Field and the finish line off to your right.

Course change: When you turn into the stadium at the bottom of the hill the finish will be right in front of you.  In past years the finish was on the opposite side of the stadium.  (This change opens up several hundred additional parking spaces for race day)

Back to the Marathon

After the half-marathon splits away the marathon course continues on for a 4 mile loop through the MetroCenter area of mainly office and government buildings.  Good news: this stretch does not go as far into the dull industrial section as in past years. There is a good climb (and descent) at miles 12.5 and 15 as you pass over I-65.    Just after mile 16 you see the State Capital and at 16.5 you get to climb the long curving hill that the half-marathoners tackled earlier.  Left at the top and the long downhill over the river leads you past the stadium. 

One of the toughest climbs... the long curving hill at mile 12 for the half-marathon and mile 16.5 for the marathon.

Now the race begins.  The course winds through an older, industrial part of town for about 4 miles before turning left on Davidson St. towards Shelby Park.  There is not much scenery so stay focused and prepare for the final push.  When you turn left onto Davidson near mile 20.5 miles you will see runners headed back downtown in their final mile.  Hang on because you will be there soon.  The stone gate entrance of Shelby Park welcomes you near mile 21 for a scenic loop through the park.   

The entrance to the Shelby Bottoms trail under the railroad trestle marks mile 23.

After a three mile loop through the park you once again pass the stone gate at mile 24 and hit the homestretch.  There is one last small incline as you exit the park.  In the next mile you will begin to once again see the downtown skyline.  

Course Change: Just before the I-24 overpass you will turn right on S. 5th at mile 25 for your final mile.  This last stretch on S. 5th offers up the last long steady climb of the day.  Not too steep so focus on form and effort. 

You make a left turn onto Russell and see Mile 26 in front of you.  A short stretch on Russell leads you to the left turn into the stadium and the finish will be right on front of you.   Like all Rock-n-Roll events, the post race party is a great place to hang out and enjoy the post-race energy. The race management folks at Rock-n-Roll Events/ Competitor Group know how to put on a big, well-organized party/ race.  Nashville presents the perfect venue to combine running, music, scenery and fun.

Other Tips:

• CytoMax is the on-course electrolyte drink.  Try it before race day to make sure it works for you.
• If you stay downtown consider walking back over the pedestrian bridge to your hotel or to a taxi at the base of the bridge.  The large stadium lot can get "congested". 
• Aid stations at these large races get congested.  Don't go for the first table.  Be patient and move down towards the less congested tables. 
• Put a change of clothes in your bag, including dry socks and comfy shoes.  Warm, dry clothes can make your post-race festivities much more enjoyable.

Listen to Coach Kevin each week as he co-hosts Pure Fit Radio. Listen online at www.PureFitRadio.com and subscribe for free at iTunes!