Rock 'n' Roll Nashville course map and elevation.

How I’d run it, stretch by stretch

Miles 1 to 3: Broadway, Demonbreun Street and Music Row

Over these 2.7 miles the course climbs 208 feet and drops 105, 103 feet net up. The three climbs: Demonbreun Street from mile 0.6 (+69 feet over 0.4 mi, 2.9%); Up to the Music Row roundabout from mile 1.1 (+52 feet over 0.5 mi, 2.0%); 17th Avenue South from mile 2.0 (+90 feet over 0.7 mi, 2.3%).

The first corral goes at 7:20 on Broadway, and the climbing starts almost right away: Demonbreun Street rises about 120 feet in a mile to the Music Row roundabout, and 17th Avenue South climbs another 90 toward Belmont. The half marathon runs with you until mile 11, so it’s crowded and twisty. Run these hills by effort and give the seconds back. There’s a long way to go.

Miles 4 to 6: Belmont Boulevard and Clifton Lane

Over these 3 miles the course climbs 78 feet and drops 137, 58 feet net down.

Belmont Boulevard tops out at the high point of the course, just over 620 feet, near mile 3.5, and then the road drifts down through Belmont-Hillsboro to Clifton Lane. The neighborhoods turn out here, some with lawn parties. Settle into goal pace on the downhill and enjoy the crowd while it lasts.

Miles 7 to 9: 12 South and back down Music Row

Over these 3.2 miles the course climbs 119 feet and drops 191, 71 feet net down. The climb: 12 South from mile 5.8 (+74 feet over 0.9 mi, 1.6%).

Up 12 South, a steady 75 feet or so, then back through Wedgewood and down Music Row, a long, gentle descent of more than 150 feet toward the Gulch. Use the downhill to recover, not to bank time.

Miles 10 to 12: the Gulch, Rosa Parks Boulevard and MetroCenter

Over these 3.7 miles the course climbs 105 feet and drops 160, 57 feet net down. The climb: Rosa L. Parks Boulevard from mile 10.3 (+47 feet over 0.4 mi, 2.3%).

Through the Gulch and onto Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, with a short rise past the Capitol Mall, and then the half marathon turns off near mile 11. After that, every review says the same thing: it gets quiet. Find a pace group or a runner to work with now, before you need one.

Miles 13 to 15: the river, Germantown and First Horizon Park

Over these 2.9 miles the course climbs 116 feet and drops 90, 27 feet net up. The climb: Up from the river to John Lewis Way from mile 13.0 (+79 feet over 2.1 mi, 0.7%).

Down into MetroCenter, along the Cumberland on the greenway, through Germantown and around First Horizon Park, then a gradual climb of about 80 feet up to Rep. John Lewis Way. It’s the flattest stretch of the race, and the best place to stay on top of your fuel.

Miles 16 to 19: the Woodland Street Bridge and East Nashville

Over these 4.2 miles the course climbs 139 feet and drops 156, 15 feet net down. The climb: Woodland Street from mile 15.7 (+76 feet over 1.1 mi, 1.3%).

Over the Cumberland on the Woodland Street Bridge, and then the climb up Woodland Street into East Nashville, about 75 feet, past the St. Jude cheer zone. The zigzags through East Nashville roll the rest of the way toward Shelby Park. Hold your effort steady, because the hardest miles are next.

Miles 20 to 23: Shelby Park

Over these 3.9 miles the course climbs 254 feet and drops 253, about level overall. The three climbs: Shelby Park hill 1 from mile 19.8 (+77 feet over 0.4 mi, 3.2%); Shelby Park hill 2 from mile 20.9 (+82 feet over 0.7 mi, 2.4%); Shelby Park hill 3 from mile 22.3 (+84 feet over 0.9 mi, 1.8%).

The three hills that decide this race: over the bluff on the park’s entrance road, up Shelby View Drive, and back over the bluff, each about 80 feet with short, steep drops between, plus a short out-and-back spur. Shorten your stride on the way up, stay relaxed on the way down, and expect your pace to swing. Run the effort, not the watch.

Miles 24 to the finish: back to Nissan Stadium

Over these 2.6 miles the course climbs 62 feet and drops 63, about level overall.

Out of the park on Davidson Street, a gentle rise up South 5th Street, then down Woodland Street to the finish at Nissan Stadium. The hills are behind you. Whatever you have left, spend it here.