Bluegrass Half Marathon & Relay

Sunday, September 29, 2024 • Johnson City, TN • Course Map

Set for its 12th annual running here in this East Tennessee city that was once known as “Little Chicago” thanks to its reputed ties to the bootleggers of the Prohibition era in the 1920s, Johnson City’s Bluegrass Half Marathon celebrates a musical heritage whose roots run deep here in the Appalachian hills of Tennessee.

The 13.1-mile route for the half marathon follows what is roughly an out-and-back course through the streets of the city, starting at Founders Park, next to Oak Hill Cemetery near downtown

From there, runners follow the course first on a loop toward the area known as Mountain Home and around the Johnson City Medical Center, followed by a stretch that brings runners back around to the ETSU campus.

The race’s first several miles are largely flat with a few rolling hills, as runners enter the campus along Jack Vest Drive and follow the road around to the western end of the university’s Summer-Taylor Soccer Complex, where the ETSU Buccaneers men’s and women’s soccer teams play.

Once they make their way northeast through the campus, runners then head out into the downtown and residential neighborhood areas of Johnson City, heading out first along Pine and Maple Streets before starting a big, sweeping loop portion of the course along State of Franklin Road and University Parkway.

Race Weather & Climate

Located in the northeastern corner of East Tennessee, just over 110 miles northwest of Knoxville, Johnson City typically experiences moderately cool to warm weather at the start of fall.

In September, temperatures average between 56°F and 79°F — on the day of the race (Sept. 24), the average low is 53°F and the average high is 76°F — while rainfall amounts average just under 3 inches for the month.

Course Map

See the race route map for the Bluegrass Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

7:30 AM

Fees

  • $45 – $70 for the half marathon
  • $30 – $55 for the 2-person relay (per team member)
  • $25 – $50 for the 4-person relay (per team member)

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Johnson City’s Bluegrass Half Marathon or Relay race, visit the event website below.

Official Race Website

thegoosechase.org

Comments

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See more races in: September, Tennessee

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