This is a once in a lifetime race experience! You will not BQ and in 2018 the winning time was right at 3:00:00 so no one even went sub-2. But it is a gorgeous marathon through the largest park in Nashville with 3600+ feet elevation GAIN. The views are outstanding: you are in the middle of fall colors, run past the Percy stairs (twice) and sweeping views past Nashville Steeplechase (twice).
Aid stations are supported mostly by local running clubs and they deliver! Lots of snack options, drink options, and heck near the end beer and fireball shots!! The swag is UNBELIEVABLE!! You get 2 shirts, one is personalized with your nickname and the sleeve has the # of monkey kills (# of monkey marathons) so 1 monkey for each marathon you have done. We also got custom swiftwick socks with a monkey! There were Hatch Show print posters! There were silipint cups! There were magnets, temporary tattooes, and stickers! The best swag I’ve ever seen!! Parking is literally in the park right next to the start and finish and portapotties.
But the best part by far is all the runners...everyone is there just to run a race in a beautiful park and have fun. It’s really dumb to run a marathon over that many hills and we all did it because we love running! Google the race though, check out the race pics...it really is that hilly and it really is that gorgeous in the park.