From the starting line at the corner of B.B. King Boulevard and Lt. Lee Avenue, in the heart of the city’s biggest tourist draw, both the half marathon and the full marathon head out on what is roughly a counter-clockwise loop route through Memphis, taking runners past many of the city’s most famous sites, including Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the Lorraine Hotel, the Elvis Presley Memorial, and more.
Those running the half and the full share the same course for nearly all of the first 10 miles of the race; the full marathoners will split off from the half marathoners just before the latter group turns to head toward AutoZone Park for their finish.
Mostly flat and fast (it’s run through the Memphis city streets), the race also provides ample views of the waterfront by the Mississippi River, and finishes at majestic AutoZone Park, home of the AAA-level Memphis Redbirds minor league baseball team. Walkers are welcome, as long as they can keep a pace of 20 minutes per mile or better.