St. Jude Rock’n’Roll Marathon–Nashville

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  • St. Jude Rock'n'Roll Marathon Nashville

Nashville St. Jude Rock‘n’Roll Marathon–2025

aka the St. Jude Rock’n’Roll Running Series

April 26-27

From start to finish, here’s what you need to know to have a great race weekend in Nashville – April 26-27. Here’s the official race homepage and the map for the courses.

Awaiting release of some specific details for 2025. FYI, locals often still call it by its old name: “Music City Marathon,”

Arrival

Be patient: last year’s marathon attracted 23,000 participants.

Driving I-65, I-40, and I-24 intersect in Nashville. Before you arrive in town, take a look at our post with a map of secondary roads to help you navigate.

Flying Both Uber and Lyft are allowed to pick up at airport arrivals. A ride downtown averages $20-30 on a weekday, but surge prices can double–even quadruple your rate. Taxis charge a flat rate of $30 to downtown or the Opryland Hotel area. If you’re on a tight budget, take the WeGo bus Route #18. It will cost $2 and drop you at Music City Central, the main bus depot downtown.

Registration

Registration and packet pick-up takes place at Music City Center two blocks south of Broadway, at 201 Rep. John R. Lewis Way, S. You must pick up your own Nashville Marathon packet–no one else can get it for you–on Thursday, noon-7pm and Friday, 10am-7pm. There’s an end of the day crush so get there as early as possible. While there, take advantage of the Health & Fitness Expo at Music City Convention Center–it’s FREE for everyone.

Personally I hate lugging around swag so, if feasible, drop off your marathon goodie bag at your car or hotel, then hit the town unencumbered. Check out my post on how to handle your luggage while in town, If you tour the National Museum of African American Music, you can also store your stuff in a locker for free.

While you’re getting checked in, here are few downtown highlights to explore.

St. Jude Rock n' Roll Running Series Nashville

Live Music and Other Entertainment

You probably want to squeeze as much live music and such into all your free time. And you don’t have to like country music. Consult my Live Music posts to guide to the kind of music you enjoy.

Friday

Arriving early? Take some time to explore our array of attractions.

If you’ve been training, I shouldn’t have to remind about alcohol consumption and crazy eating the night before the race. Save your celebrating until Saturday.

The restaurants and bars along Lower Broadway will be packed. Try the off-Broadway venues where waits may be shorter. Even better, visit a nearby neighborhood such as SoBro, The Gulch, Germantown, East Nashville, 12South, Hillsboro Village, Midtown, or Centennial Park/West End.

Saturday Parking

Street parking is in short supply and things are a bit goofy since parking with QR codes was introduced.

You can consult the interactive map at ParkItDowntown for locations of pay lots. The cheapest parking is found at our government-owned lots: the Metro Courthouse lot [map], Downtown Library [map], and Music City Center [map]. More about downtown parking here.

You can also make reservations via Spot Hero, a private company.

Take the Old Town Trolley

You can purchase round-trip Old Town Trolley shuttle passes for $25. Routes originate from Holiday Inn-Vanderbilt, Sheraton-Music City, Opry Mills, Airport Center and Loews Vanderbilt.

Questions?

Try this official Search link.

Band playing at Luke's 32 Bridge, one of 20+ honky tonks on Lower Broadway, Nashville

Getting to the Starting Line

(Awaiting 2025 confirmations.)  The starting line for the Full and Half Marathon is Broadway at Rosa Parks Blvd. (also known as 8th Ave.) The starting line for the 5k and 10k is on Demonbreun Street at Rosa Parks Blvd.

The Music City Star is your only railway option. It runs from Lebanon on the east side of town through Mount Juliet and Donelson to downtown. Here’s the schedule for race day.

Unless you’re within walking distance of the starting line, allow A LOT of extra time to get downtown. There are multiple locations for runner drop-off. Check the official transportation page for locations as well as parking and hotel shuttle information. NOTE: Nissan Stadium parking lots will NOT be available this year.

The Races

(Awaiting 2025 confirmations.) People rave about two distinctions of the Nashville races: live music all along the way and the rallying support from people who line the streets to cheer you on. Like many, we set up a curbside brunch with friends to watch the masses sprint past.

This year there are 20+ stages with live entertainment along with convenient water and first aid stations. The 5k runners will hear live music from four stages.

In addition to downtown, distance runners will hoof it past Music Row, Belmont University, the trendy neighborhoods of 12South, The Gulch, Germantown, and East Nashville.

  • 6:30am 5k and 6.15 mile races/starting line at 8th and Demonbreun
  • 7:20am Marathon and Half-Marathon races/starting line at 8th and Broadway

The Kids Rock race is held on Sunday, 1pm at Nissan Stadium.

Post-Race Concert

An outdoor concert, open to all, will be held at the finish line stage outside Nissan Stadium featuring the stellar Eagles/Don Henley tribute band the Eaglemaniacs  11:00-12:30.

Exit Strategy

Come Sunday, the Nashville airport will be packed so get there 2 hours ahead of your flight. If you have time after passing security, try one of our local restaurants in the airport.

Products to consider to make your running experience better:
(affiliate links, not considered an endorsement)

Compeed

Compeed Anti-Blister
Stick

AONIJIE Hydration Vest

AONIJIE Hydration Vest Pack Backpack 5L

GU Energy Original Sports Nutrition Energy Gel

GU Energy Sports Nutrition Energy Gel

SaltStick FASTCHEWS® Resealable

SaltStick FASTCHEWS® Resealable

Downtown Essentials

When you need more than a Honky Tonk

Closest Pharmacy

  • Walgreen’s Our only downtown pharmacy is at 226 5th Ave., N. Store hours: M-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat. 8am-7pm, Sun 9am-6pm. Pharmacy hours: M-F 7:30am-5:30pm, Closed on Sat-Sun.

Closest Grocery/Convenience Stores

  • Corner Market at 300 Church St. crams a ton of merchandise in a slender space. If you need a cup of non-designer coffee, a toothbrush, Red Bull or Pepto-Bismol, these folks can hook you up. Note: they’re open later than the others. Hours: Sun-Thurs, 7am-9pm; Fr-Sat, 7am-midnight.
  • Southernaire is in SoBro, south of Broadway at 150 3rd Ave, S.. You won’t find Cheerios or Gatorade here; it’s an upscale market with artisanal products, locally grown produce, a selection of bottled craft beers, a butcher’s counter, and a prepared food spot for paninis and daily specials.
  • Dollar General Store (DGX), 206 3rd Avenue, S. This location caters to the tourist population with items you won’t find in the typical Dollar General. Basically an urban convenience store.
  • Savi Urban Market at 415 Church Street feels like an old-school general store with all sorts of merchandise stacked high–plus a deli counter, rotisserie chicken, and a wide selection of beverages. No website so call (615) 244-9892 if you want to check on an item before heading out.
  • Turnip Truck, located in The Gulch at 321 12th Ave. S., advertises itself as “your natural grocery.” Translation: fresh, locally sourced, whole foods along with a juice bar, salad bar, and hot food bar. Hours: M-Sat 7:00am-9pm, Sun 8am-8pm.
  • Whole Foods at 1202 Broadway includes a hot bar, in-house bakery and a dining area. Open 7am-10pm daily.
  • Publix-Capitol View is a smaller-than-average store but still has a butcher shop, bakery, and deli. Open 7am-10pm daily.
  • Nashville Fresh Market at 531 4th Ave. It crams a lot into its store include beverages, fruit, snacks, over-the-counter meds, and to-go meals.
  • Fresh Pick Market and Café in a corner of Music City Center is more coffee shop and quick-grab foods than an actual market–but if you’re needing Tylenol, drop by.

Closest Medical Attention

For after-hours care, the closest ER facilities are Ascension St. Thomas Midtown and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Another option is GetWell Health, a mobile medical practice that comes to you for basic care, IV infusions, and such.

Hydration therapy and similar treatments downtown:
* Vida-Flo @ 1516 Demonbreun, (615)454-9123
* IntraVenous Solutions @ 221 2nd Ave. N., 3rd floor, (615)393-6978
* IV Nutrition @315 Deaderick St., Suite 190, (615)235-1998

Read what downtown police officers recommend to stay safe and be smart downtown.