How many corrals at country music marathon

Returning to downtown at mile 10, we embarked on the second leg of the course, which took us north. Just past mile 11, we separated with our half marathon friends, who outnumbered us by a factor of eight to one. Most of this portion was on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, which was absent any diversion which would distract our concentration. We reach our northernmost point at mile Returning south to downtown, we entered Bicentennial Mall State Park at mile 16, which gave us a view of the state capitol, before beginning to head east and crossing over the Cumberland River at mile Our final segment took us east, initially passing by LP Field, where we saw the faster runners already finishing their marathon.

With nine miles left, we continued east until reaching mile Past mile 20, we resumed our eastbound trek toward Shelby Park at mile Perhaps the most scenic part of the course, marked by trees and the relative absence of buildings, we alternated between two lane roads and bicycle trails for the next three mile.

Only the warm, humid weather and the presence of mosquitoes marred our enjoyment of this part of the course. Our final two miles returned us to the city, backtracking west on Davidson Street and north on South 5th Street. The presence of the final uphill at mile 25 on South 5th Street did not add to the fun. At mile Weather conditions at finish time was a mostly cloudy 79 degrees with a heat index of 80 degrees, 56 percent relative humidity, wind from the southwest at 10 mph with gusts up to 31 mph.

Race execution from start to finish was well done. Also, we were treated to a free concert at Bridgestone Arena the same evening, featuring Martina McBride. FANS: Average for this size event. Unlike the mid-race cancellation that took place in , we were able to get this year's race in. For that, we were grateful. Race directors need to rethink the start. Most of it was good.

Very nice expo, scenic and hilly course, good crowd support along the route, decent post-race. Now for the bad. The start was a zoo. It's a corral start, with corral assignments based on anticipated finish times.

Each corral had a series number - I started in corral 7 7xxx number doing the full marathon. The half goes off at the same time and from the same corrals. The ratio of half to full runners was based on finishers in the results. As I looked around my corral before the start, I saw many people with numbers in the and up range, which indicated that they should have been back in corral 20 or later.

And it got worse - my corral went off about 10 minutes after corral 1. Within 3 miles I was passing people walking wearing series bibs meaning they started in corral 1 for the half. Until we lost the half runners at the split at mile 11, it was constant weaving around runners who had no business being out that early. Race directors - if you are not going to enforce the corral system, why bother?

The next few miles — which head into residential areas south of downtown — feature the longest uphill stretch of the half marathon, a gradual climb that peaks in the Belmont neighborhood around mile 4.

The rest of the race will also have live music and entertainment, thanks to what organizers say will be hundreds of cheerleaders from area high schools stationed along the route, as well as dozens of bands blasting all kinds of music out for the runners — including country, rock, blues, jazz and more — as they pass by one of more than two dozen stages along the course.

The tech shirt was a real tech shirt, I still train with it. The expo was pretty decent. Finally, I highly recommend the free leg message that was given out after the race, it helped me considerably. Let me start out - the people of Nashville are great and friendly. However during the second half of this race - it was a virtual ghost town in terms … MORE. Let me start out — the people of Nashville are great and friendly. However during the second half of this race — it was a virtual ghost town in terms of spectators as we wound past great bandstands through an empty office park and then down through a dodgy section close to the stadium and out and back through a pretty park.

For the first half — winding through historic neighborhoods — it was awesome. The course was a lot hillier than I expected — especially coming out of the park at around mile The expo was pretty large and had a lot of freebies and other giveaways.

Everything was very well organized — check-in was a snap. The party at the end was nice — great food and drink options. The medal was small but cool it lit up! The shirt was nice as well. Was nervous about the hills, but did some treadmill training prior and actually I found the hills not to be too challenging.

I would call them rolling hills, short ups and downs with a gradual elevation. The whole course was entertaining, from the music, spectators, signs, food, drink, kids and water guns. I ran with a smile the whole race. Weather was good in , 50 degrees at the start, which was a blessing for this Florida girl. Finish line was amazing, bridge filled with random people cheering all the racers, I felt like a celebrity during that final stretch.

The medal is kind of small, but cool. Many food, drink options after the race. But, once out of the finisher area, not much left except beer 1. The expo was outstanding. Brooks area was hugh, lots of vendors with tons for freebies and tastings. Stayed at an Airbnb about 3 miles from the start, no problem getting to the start line, thought there were plenty of Port-o-potties. No big lines were I was. My over experience was great, I really enjoyed it and thought the Nashville spectators were very welcoming to all runners.

Pros: -Expo is fantastic! Lots of vendors, free stuff, discounted stuff, and general race excitement. Pretty scenic run through some of the best parts of Nashville highlights include Broadway, Music Square and the warning track of First Tennessee Field. Course can be hilly at times. Hills near Shelby Park were brutal and everyone was walking up them. Organizers need to do a better job with corral placement as the walkers snuck up to the front and blocked the roads. Also, having 40 corrals with minutes in between each means a long wait at the start for some.

Lots of aid stations and finishing area at Nissan Stadium home of the Titans was pretty good. Although I still believe that they should not have represented that they were serving beer when all that they had was Michelob Ultra.

Terrible corral management. Walkers should have been started later. You will not receive a bib number prior to packet pickup. We offer a very easy bib transfer option. Many runners post requests for bibs and bibs for sale in our Facebook Group.

Do not just give your bib to someone without following the online transfer process fully. You may transfer to another event prior to race day, provided the event is not sold out.

Yes, provided you complete the course within the allotted timeframe before streets are open to traffic. The cutoff is strictly enforced and sag vehicles will be available. You must be at least 16 years old to enter the marathon. The half marathon is open to those 13 years and older.

The 5k is open to individuals 6 years and older. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver if participant is under The pacer times will be published on the Pacing Page upon confirmation of pacers. Our pacing crew continues to grow by demand each year. Our goal is to provide pacers for as many of the common BQ marathon times we can, as well as many in the half marathon. The times we are hoping to fill are listed on our pacing page and are considered firm, but not concrete.

If you are an experienced pacer and are interested in supporting runners at GCM, please e-mail [email protected] us for info. GCM is looking to deliver the best experience as possible to our runners, and quality pacers help do that. There are at least port-a-johns located around the course. There will be several banks located at each start line, in lot 10 after the finish and at locations around the course and near water stops.

The marathon course limit is 6 hours and has two mandatory checkpoints. Should you not meet the two checkpoints, you will be escorted to a sag vehicle. You must maintain a minimum pace to complete within the 6 hour time limit.

Those who continue on must sign a release waiver and turn in their BIB number to continue as a citizen. All limits will begin at the time of each wave start.

This is a competitive race with an expected finish time of 6 hours or less. Because we hire police and security from 5 jurisdictions, it is important that we comply with the time limits set. Runners planning on finishing the race must be through mile 20 by 12pm.