Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Marathon
The Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Marathon, previously known as the Country Music Marathon, is an annual marathon, half marathon, and 5K run that has been held in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2000. The event is owned by Dalian Wanda, the Chinese conglomerate that organises it as part of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series.
The route begins on Broadway and continues along many of Nashville's sights, including Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Symphony, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Union Station, Music Row, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, the Belmont Mansion, the Tennessee State Capitol, the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, First Horizon Park, the Cumberland River, and Shelby Park, before ending outside Nissan Stadium.
The marathon was first held in April 2000 when 3,230 men and 2,589 women completed the event. As the event grew in popularity, a half-marathon was added in 2002. This was soon followed by the addition of a kids marathon. A 5k run was added to the race options as well as wheelchair versions of the marathon, half-marathon, and 5k races. The number of participants in the 2008 event exceeded 30,000 total entrants. Unlike some of Nashville's other marathons, e.g. Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon and Greenway Marathon, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon.
Band stages featuring live musical entertainment are located along the course. Many bands and high school cheerleaders entertain runners and walkers, and friends, families, and neighbors join in cheering on participants. The marathon is followed by an evening concert which has previously featured Sara Evans, Phil Vassar, Jo Dee Messina, Brad Paisley, and Lee Roy Parnell among others.
The 20 year anniversary of the marathon event is delayed. The organizers announced that the April date would be postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Past winners
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