On April 26, Nashville does what it does best — turns the whole city into a show. The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series is back, bringing tens of thousands of runners through Nashville’s best neighborhoods, with 25+ live bands on course, a start on Broadway, and a finish line right outside Nissan Stadium. If you’re running it, cheering someone on, or just want to know which streets to avoid, here’s everything you need — including the official course maps, street closure list, and no-parking grid, all in one place.
Race Weekend at a Glance
The Course: Mile by Mile Through Nashville
The route is genuinely one of the best in American marathon running. You’re covering Nashville’s most iconic neighborhoods back to back, with music coming from every corner. Here’s how it unfolds:
Start: 8th Ave & Broadway, Downtown Nashville
Lower Broadway at race o’clock. Honky-tonks, neon signs, and the kind of nervous excitement only a start line can create. This stretch closes to vehicles at 3 AM — get your parking sorted the night before.
Schermerhorn Symphony / Country Music Hall of Fame / Music City Center
Past some of Nashville’s most recognizable landmarks in the first few miles while the legs are still fresh. A good reminder of how much this city has packed into a small footprint.
Music Row & the Musica Roundabout
Through the street where decades of country hits were written and recorded. The Musica statue roundabout is the kind of Nashville moment visitors don’t know to look for — runners get a front-row seat.
The Gulch & 12 South
Two of Nashville’s coolest zip codes back to back. This is a great spectator stretch — coffee shops are opening, the crowds are building, and runners are still feeling strong enough to smile for photos.
Belmont-Hillsboro & Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Beautiful residential Nashville with wide streets and big trees. The Capitol building in the background makes for a picture worth slowing down for.
Germantown
One of Nashville’s oldest neighborhoods. Red brick, boutique restaurants, and a completely different vibe from downtown. Runners who know Nashville know this is the hidden gem mile.
Metro Center: The Mile of Music
Back-to-back live bands for an entire mile. This is where the Rock ‘n’ Roll series earns its name. Legs hurting around mile 16? The music fixes that.
East Nashville
Fun, funky, and entirely its own thing. East Nashville turns out for this race — expect creative signs, loud crowds, and the best neighborhood energy on the whole course. Gallatin Ave is where locals come to cheer.
Shelby Park
A quieter stretch along the Cumberland River. Beautiful and peaceful — a mental reset before the final miles.
Finish: Outside Nissan Stadium
You cross the line with the Nashville skyline behind you and the Titans’ stadium right in front. There is no more dramatic marathon finish in American running. Every mile of the 26.2 earns this view.
Course Maps
The official course maps are below — half marathon and the full 26.2. Both distances start at 8th & Broadway and finish at Nissan Stadium, but follow different routes through the city. Download the full marathon map to your phone before race day so you have it offline.
Half Marathon Course Map
Full Marathon Course Map (26.2 Miles)
The full marathon PDF opens in a new tab — save it to your phone for offline access on race day.
Download Full Marathon Course Map (PDF)
Maps courtesy of the official Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series. Course details subject to change — confirm at runrocknroll.com
Street Closures: Plan Your Sunday Morning Around These
This is the part where half of Nashville gets caught off guard. If you need to cross downtown before noon on Sunday, have an alternate route ready. Streets reopen on a rolling basis as the last runner passes — but the main arteries stay closed through mid-afternoon.
| Area / Street | Closes | Expected Reopen | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Broadway (start area) Broadway from 1st to 8th Ave |
3:00 AM | ~11:00 AM rolling | High |
| Full Course Corridor All 26.2 miles of route streets |
5:45 AM | Rolling from ~9 AM | High |
| Music Row / Demonbreun St | 5:45 AM | ~11:30 AM | High |
| The Gulch / 12th Ave S | 5:45 AM | ~12:00 PM rolling | Medium |
| Charlotte Ave / Germantown | 5:45 AM | ~1:00 PM rolling | Medium |
| Gallatin Ave (East Nashville) | 5:45 AM | ~2:00 PM rolling | Medium |
| Nissan Stadium Area 1st Ave, Korean Veterans Blvd |
5:30 AM | ~3:30 PM | High |
| I-440 South / I-65 North | Open | Use as alternates | Alt Route |
Use the official documents below — download them to your phone before race day. Metro Nashville Police will direct traffic at major intersections all morning.
🗺
Official PDFFull Street Closure List
🅱
Official PDFNo Parking Grid (Streets 1–20)
🏃
Official PDFFull Marathon Course Map
Save these to your phone before race day — they’re the official documents from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series and Metro Nashville.
Mile 8 in The Gulch, Mile 14 in Germantown, and Mile 19 on Gallatin Ave in East Nashville. Each has coffee nearby, good sidewalk space, and easy access back to your rental once runners pass through. Aim to be in position by 6:30 AM — closures hit these zones before 6.
Music City Magnolia Properties & Race Weekend
Straight up: we are completely booked for Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville weekend 2026. Our guests got in early and we love that for them. If you’re looking for something right now, check Airbnb and VRBO fast — downtown Nashville disappears for race weekend.
If you’re thinking ahead for 2027, here’s how our properties line up with the race.
On the Course
These four properties sit right along the route. Great for spectating from your own doorstep.
Mockingbird
Right on the course. Watch runners go past, then get back to your day.
Southern Charm
On the route with all the character Nashville is known for. A proper home base for race weekend.
Bluebird
Named after one of Nashville’s most beloved venues. Sits along the course with all the thoughtful touches you’d expect.
Wisteria 12South
In the heart of 12 South, which the course runs right through around mile 8. One of the best spectator spots on the whole route.
Near Nissan Stadium — Great for Runners
Staying close to the finish line means no surge pricing, no parking stress, and a quick walk back after you cross.
Deacon’s House
Close to Nissan Stadium and a solid pick for runners who want to be near the finish without dealing with downtown chaos.
Cumberland Retreat
Another great runner option near the stadium. Comfortable, well-appointed, and positioned so you can actually relax after 26.2 miles.
Want to Stay Out of the Closures?
Not everyone wants to be in the middle of it. If you’d rather skip the road closures and have a quieter Nashville base, our other properties will keep you well clear of the race-day chaos while still putting you in a great spot to enjoy the city.
Every Music City Magnolia property comes with music playing when you arrive, welcome gifts of local moon pies and custom souvenir coozies, and an in-home tablet with Nashville recommendations from someone who actually lives here.
Race Day Tips: For Runners and Spectators
Park the Night Before
Broadway closes at 3 AM. If you’re running, sort your parking Saturday evening and walk or grab an early Uber to the start. Don’t try to drive to the course on race morning.
Skip the Post-Race Uber
30,000 runners all requesting rides at the Nissan Stadium finish means 4-5x surge pricing. If you’re staying with Music City Magnolia, you walk back. Everyone else waits 45 minutes in a parking lot.
Best Spectator Miles
Mile 8 (Gulch), Mile 14 (Germantown), Mile 19 (Gallatin Ave, East Nashville), and the finish at Nissan Stadium. Hit two of these and you’ll cover a great range of the race.
Dress for April Weather
Late April Nashville means anything from 55 and sunny to 70 and humid. Layers work. The course warms up fast by mile 10 — runners should plan for a warmer second half than the start.
The Mile of Music Is the Move
Metro Center around mile 16 has more live bands than anywhere else on course. If you spectate one section, make it this one. Bring noise.
Pre and Post-Race Eating
Pre-race: Slim’s near 8th Ave for breakfast. Post-race: Germantown Cafe, Rolf and Daughters, or the Honky Tonk Pads’ on-site Mexican restaurant if you’re staying with us. Book dinner ahead — the whole city fills up.
Frequently Asked Questions: Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville 2026
What time does the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon start in 2026?
Both the full marathon and half marathon start at 6:45 AM on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The start line is at 8th Ave and Broadway in downtown Nashville. Lower Broadway closes to vehicles at 3 AM, so plan accordingly if you’re driving.
Where is the finish line for Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville 2026?
The finish line is outside Nissan Stadium (1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213). It’s about a 15-minute walk across the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge from downtown Broadway — one of the most dramatic finish line settings in American marathon running.
What streets are closed for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon?
The entire 26.2-mile course closes to traffic by 5:45 AM. Lower Broadway closes at 3 AM. Streets reopen on a rolling basis as the last runner passes — the Nissan Stadium area stays closed until approximately 3:30 PM. Use I-440 to the south or I-65 north of downtown as alternate routes. The full closure grid is at runrocknroll.com/nashville-road-closure.
What neighborhoods does the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon run through?
The full marathon covers Broadway (start), the Schermerhorn/Country Music Hall of Fame area, Music Row, The Gulch, 12 South, Belmont-Hillsboro, Bicentennial Capitol Mall, Germantown, Metro Center, East Nashville, Shelby Park, and finishes at Nissan Stadium. The half marathon follows a shorter version of the same route.
Where are the best places to watch the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon as a spectator?
Mile 8 in The Gulch, Mile 14 in Germantown, and Mile 19 on Gallatin Ave in East Nashville are the top three. The Nissan Stadium finish is also worth being at. Arrive at your chosen spot by 6:30 AM — road closures hit these zones before the runners do.
Is there a half marathon at Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville 2026?
Yes — the event includes both the full marathon (26.2 miles) and the half marathon (13.1 miles). Both start at 6:45 AM from 8th Ave and Broadway, and both finish at Nissan Stadium. See the half marathon course map above for the specific route.
Where should I stay for Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon weekend?
Music City Magnolia has properties right on the course (Mockingbird, Southern Charm, Bluebird, Wisteria 12South) and near the Nissan Stadium finish line (Deacon’s House, Cumberland Retreat) — great for runners who want a short walk back after crossing the line. All are booked for 2026 but worth planning ahead for 2027. If you want to avoid road closures entirely, their other properties sit well clear of the route.”rnr-disclaimer”>Course and street closure details sourced from the official Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series. Information accurate at time of publication and subject to change. Confirm final details at runrocknroll.com and follow Metro Nashville Police for race-day updates.