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Tennessee > Bluegrass Half Marathon
Johnson City, TN • Sunday, September 22, 2013 • Course Map
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Set for its 4th annual running on the first weekend of fall 2013 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 -- and today is better known as one of the nations' top 50 small cities for business and careers, so named by Forbes Magazine in 2009 -- 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 on State of Franklin Road next to the campus of East Tennessee State University, one of three colleges that call Johnson City their home. From there, runners follow the course first on a loop toward the area known as Mountain Home and through the parking lots of 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 ESTU 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.
What is probably the steepest hilly stretch of the race occurs in this stretch of the race, as runners make their way southward and westward along Legion Street, Highland Road and University Parkway. The course rises about 150 feet between mile markers 8 and 10, which is followed by a mostly downhill stretch on the way in to the finish line at Johnson City's Carnegie Hotel, along Security Lane.
Just over 480 runners crossed the finish line in the individual half marathon at the race's 2012 running, while 51 four-person teams completed the half marathon relay.
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. 22), the average low is 54°F and the average high is 77°F -- while rainfall amounts average just under 3 inches for the month.
Course Map
View the race route map for the Bluegrass Half Marathon
Starting Time
7:30 AM
Fees
See race website
Registration
To reserve your spot in the early fall 2013 running of Johnson City's Bluegrass Half Marathon presented by Earth Fare, register online at Active.com.
Official Race Website
bluegrasshalfmarathon.com
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