Nashville, TN

Nashville has fairly mild winters with occasional cold snaps, and hot, humid summers. Snow is rare. Rainfall is abundant and evenly spread throughout the year but is thunderstorm-y in spring and summer. Overall, a good running climate except for oppressive heat in summer. The best time is the gorgeous summer spring, where everything is in bloom and temperatures are mild. Use caution in summer — it is very hot and humid.

Nashville hotels are focused primarily in downtown and Music Row. If staying downtown, there’s good access to the Metro Center Greenways, Music Row, and Centennial Park routes. Closer to Opryland/Music Valley, the Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Stones Rover Greenway are good bets. The Stones River Greenway is also the best running option near the airport. The Convention Center is in the heart of downtown.

Running Stores

There are three main running stores in Nashville as well as a few factory stores and national retailers. No specialty running stores are located directly downtown but there are multiple stores just a few miles in any direction. See the Running Overview map for store locations. A big thank you to Fleet Feet Nashville for helping with this guide!

Fleet Feet Sports Locations in Green Hills and Brentwood Locations.

Nashville Running Company Locations in Westgate Center and Five Points.

Team Nashville Owned and operated by two local runners. Located in Midtown/Vanderbilt neighborhood.

Group Runs

Downtown

Gulch Running Club Meet at Nashville Chiropractic (1200 Division St.) at 6:30 PM for an easy 4 mile run through the Gulch and surrounding neighborhoods followed by pizza and craft beer at Hops n Crafts on 12th.

Westside

Nashville Running Company Westgate Center. Hosts group runs Tuesday evenings in Percy Warner Park and Thursday mornings from the West side store. All levels are welcome.

Nashville Striders Group meets varies places on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. See website for details and run coordinator contacts.

Eastside

Nashville Running Company Five Points. Hosts 3–5 mile group run Friday mornings from the East side store. All levels are welcome

East Nasty Running Club This Running group meets every Wednesday at 6am and 6pm at the corner of 11th and Holly. Routes are between 3–6 miles. More than 150 runners take on the evening run

South of the City

Green Hills Run Club 3–5 mile run or walk Mondays starting from Green Hills Fleet Feet.

Tin Roof 2 Runnin’ Crew Meets every Monday at 6pm for a Cool Springs Pub Run.

South Side Runner Thursday nights at 6:15 this group meets in front of Blue Coast Burrito (6900 Lenox Village Dr.) for a fun run and social hour.

Brentwood Breakfast Club Run/walk followed by breakfast on Thursday mornings at 6am. Routes range from 4–6 miles.

Nolensville Running Club Meets at Nolensville Town Hall (7218 Nolensville Road) at 6:15 every Wednesday for a 3–6 mile run/walk. Runners of all levels are welcome.

Get the guide to the best races in this area from our friends at RaceRaves! You can sort by highest rating, date (i.e. ‘upcoming’), or race name.

Browse RaceRaves in Nashville, TN

With all of Nashville’s running clubs, it is no wonder that there are frequent running events!

Events Calendars #1. Events Calendar #2

Major Running Events

St. Jude Rock N’ Roll Marathon April. Also a half marathon and 5K.

Tom King Classic March. Half Marathon and 5K.

Andrews Cadillac Firecracker 5K/10K July 4th.

Purity Moosic City Dairy Dash April. 5K/10K/15K

Girls on the Run 5K May.

The Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon November. Featured in Marathon & Beyond and in Runners’ World magazines. Very Hilly.

12 South Winter WarmUp December. 6K and 12K

Harvest Half Marathon October.