HF#11988

I was looking forward to this race in Franklin thinking I would be running through the very historic downtown area but instead it was a nice scenic race through the Tennessee countryside in Leipers Fork. Nothing really special about this race to be completely honest; fees are pretty cheap, packet pickup was at the Brentwood Fleet Feet store, plenty of free parking in a provided grass lot, and under 2000 participants. This is not a flat course but not an extremely hilly course, just kind of rolling aside from Heart Attack Hill at Mile 5.

Also, as a bonus, there was on-course entertainment from some of the locals!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4xLolOI9Po

HF#11988

So as far as races go, this one is not that well organized. You kind of get the sense it is mostly just put on for publicity and in hopes of putting more rears in seats on Sundays. The SWAG is improving as the first year I went we got a cheap hat like you get from the Red Cross for a blood donation and this year we at least got a cotton race shirt and then they made a special Titans timing chip which is useless after the race but it is a memory. Also, you do get a free ticket to a divisional game so long as it is not a prime-time game but they are in the upper deck with no option to pay an upgrade fee for lower seats. There was one aid station on the course with water but the end was really messed up because they had nothing at the finish line. To get to the post race festivities you cross the finish line on the field of Nissan Stadium then you have to get off the field and head upstairs to the main concourse and hope they have not run out of food or drinks. I finished middle of the pack and they were practically out of everything. Course is alright but not the best as you have to run down Division St. past the metal recycling plant and fuel depot. Also you have to run up the bridge of Vietnam Vets so not a flat course. Parking is easy as it is free in the stadium lot. Like I originally stated, this is more of a publicity event because all the players come out and you can hang out with them and get pictures and autographs which is unique. You might also find yourself running side-by-side with a player or coach on the course. Cheerleaders line the finish line to cheer you across on the 50 yd line. Most of the field is closed off though because they are building the stage for CMA Fest that is in the coming weeks.

I would recommend this race as a fun 5K with friends and family and for Titans' fans but not for more disciplined and time conscience runners.

HF#11988

A couple friends wanted to try this out and it was horrible as far as runs go. There were so many people you were walking like cattle to slaughter the entire 5K and the route had choke points so it was like a mass of Black Friday shoppers with the pushing, shoving, and just standing around at those points. I am all for fun runs with friends sometimes but this was honestly just about the foam pit party at the end. They even had fried carnival food stands in the staging and post race field and there were kids doing the typical rave drugs in the staging area. This race management group honestly should omit the run part of this event and just hold a foam fest party.

I would not recommend this run to anyone unless you wanted to just put a different spin on your typical night out with friends in which case, skip the run and just have fun with the post race festivities because everything else will annoy you into just going home.

HF#11988

This is my current favorite when it comes to half marathons. A small half marathon that is sponsored by Jack Daniel's Distillery in the small Tennessee town of Lynchburg that will have you counting down the days until next year's registration that only stays open for maybe 24 hrs to fill the 1450 spots. The course goes around Lynchburg on country back-roads with nothing but rolling hills, cow pasture, and forest. There is one massive hill, Whiskey Hill, that is a vertical climb for over half a mile but once you are over, the course is rolling and mostly downhill if anything. The aid stations on route have a cheering contest that runners vote for at the end for who offered the best nutrition and support on the course. The race management group understands that Lynchburg is small and most runners travel in the wee hrs of Saturday morning to get to the race so packet pickup is mostly handled the morning of and there is no pre-race expo but the post race festival is probably like none you have experienced. Not only are you greeted at the finish with a unique wood carved and leather lanyard medal but you have plenty of refreshments and local, homemade, Southern treats available to sample and help you recharge. Also, Jack Daniels will custom engrave a bottle of their infamous Tennessee whiskey with the years finish medal and/or your name and official finish time. The biggest thing I would suggest to people is the hang around enjoy the festival because there is one road in and out of Lynchburg so enjoy your accomplishment rather then sitting in traffic and getting post race cramps and aches in your car.

HF#11988

This was the last year of the race being called the "Country Music Half Marathon"; yet another great race name gone and replaced as a city dot on Rock 'n' Roll's map. As a local, this race is the race of Tennessee, if you run or even if you do not, you have to take part in this race in April. Honestly though, it was not my favorite, there are just too many people to really enjoy your run as your are shoulder to shoulder and heel to toe for the entire race with over 20,000 participants. With that being said, if you want to have a different experience of downtown Nashville and see some of our southern hospitality then this might be your race. The course takes you all around downtown, starting at Bridgestone arena on Broadway, around and under the new City Center, down and up Music Row, around Belmont through The Gluch and the state plaza, around the capitol, and finally ending at now, Nissan stadium. You will probably not PR this race but you will have thousands of people supporting cheering you on from start to finish and extremely enthusiastic aid stations to keep you going. Also, the Expo is hard to beat, you can spend a couple of hours in there and not see it all and Brooks, as a sponsor, offers tons of gear, both specific to Nashville and also just generic.

This will always be the Country Music Half to me and most in Middle Tennessee and I might not run this race but every other year or so but it is a must if you need to get your Tennessee race checked off your state map.