Run, Don’t Walk in A Memphis Road Race
Vacationing in Memphis? Trade in your cowboy boots for running shoes and take a scenic tour on foot by participating in the many 5Ks, full and half marathons held in Memphis. Along with the fabulous restaurants, honky tonks and historical attractions, Bluff City (aka Memphis) is a destination for year-round races.
The home of the blues and Elvis, Memphis hosts miles of fantastic running. Runners can enjoy the sights of the city while running along the mighty Mississippi River or down historic Beale Street. A mix of urban streets and storied buildings, runners and walkers can hoof past Memphis landmarks such as the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, the Memphis Pyramid or of course Elvis Presley’s Graceland during one of the many races.
A Boston Marathon qualifying race, one of the biggest marathons held in Memphis is the St. Jude Memphis Marathon. With a variety of runs available to all ages, the route includes the campus of this this world-class pediatric cancer research center where patients and families cheer on runners. With thousands of participants in this marathon, this run is the largest one day fundraiser for this very deserving organization.
Run with The King! Join thousands of Elvis fans, and many Elvis look-alikes, in front of Graceland for the Annual Elvis Presley 5k Run, which benefits LivItUp, Inc., an organization that helps advance the independence of children and adults with disabilities. Elvis themed t-shirts and commemorative finisher medals are the perfect addition to any Elvis fan’s memorabilia collection.
The Great American River Run Half Marathon and 5K is the official run of the Memphis in May International Festival. This course is a favorite of both local runners and guests of the city. The route for 2017 showcased the beautiful Memphis riverfront and included entertainment throughout the race. The finish line party features food, drinks and live music as a part of the Memphis in May schedule of events.
Once the race is over, make sure to revisit some the spots on the race route. Music lovers can’t miss reliving Elvis’ superstar life with a visit to Graceland, or see where famous musicians launched their careers at “The Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll,” Sun Studio. Get to know the city better by taking a riverboat ride down the Mississippi, or ride a downtown Memphis trolley and tour historic Memphis. The place to be at night is Beale Street, where music venues, restaurants featuring the best southern dishes and unique shopping fill Memphis’ most entertaining districts.
Whether you are a runner or a walker, Memphis offers racers not just a fun race course, but an unforgettable vacation, too.
For more information about Memphis race, visit Memphis Runners or Running in the USA.
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