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Chattanooga Marathon

March 28, 2027 · 7:30 AMChattanooga, TN, United States

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Race Day

52°F

37–64°F · Feels cool

Total elevation gain

820ft

Moderate rolling hills · Net elevation change +66 ft

Participants

6,000

Large field

Crowd Rating

5/ 10

Good crowd energy

The Lowdown

The Chattanooga Marathon has grown over the past decade into one of the Southeast’s most beloved spring marathons, drawing runners from across the region to scenic southeastern Tennessee. Traditionally held in late March, the race showcases Chattanooga’s blend of riverfront beauty, historic neighborhoods, and rugged ridgelines. What began as a community-focused event has matured into a well-organized marathon weekend featuring a friendly expo, lively aid stations, and a local crowd that celebrates every finisher — from first-timers to Boston-qualifiers.

The out-and-back course highlights include miles along the Tennessee River and the scenic Chattanooga Riverwalk, a crossing near the iconic Walnut Street Bridge, and sweeping views toward Lookout Mountain and the surrounding ridgelines. Runners pass through downtown neighborhoods with energetic spectators, live music, and cheering crews, then experience quieter, tree-lined stretches that reveal the area’s natural charm. The finish area near the riverfront offers a festive post-race atmosphere with food, live entertainment, and a strong community vibe that makes the final stretch especially rewarding.

The Chattanooga Marathon is USATF-certified and recognized as a Boston Marathon qualifying course, making it popular with competitive runners chasing standards as well as recreational participants seeking a picture-postcard spring marathon. Overall, the event combines solid race logistics, a fast and scenic course, and warm southern hospitality for an approachable and memorable marathon experience.

Aug 17, 2026: 2026 edition completed; 2027 date still not announced
The 2026 Chattanooga Marathon (March 27–29, 2026) has concluded. As of 2026-08-17, the official site (chattanoogamarathon.com) and its registration platform (secure.getmeregistered.com) still reference the 2026 weekend and registration for that cycle shows closed. No 2027 date, registration-open date, or pricing has been published yet. Third-party aggregators (runguides.com, marathonguide.com) likewise list the 2027 edition as "March 2027 (TBD)". Next date in this record (2027-03-28) is a cadence-based projection, not an official announcement.
Mar 1, 2025: 10th Anniversary Edition in 2025 Marks Milestone Year
The 2026 race will be the 11th edition of the Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. The 2025 edition celebrated the race's 10th anniversary since its inaugural year in 2016, highlighting the event's growth as a premier community marathon that has generated significant economic impact for the region.
Mar 2, 2024: Lucas Cotter Wins 2024 Marathon in 2:44:31
Signal Mountain, TN resident Lucas Cotter claimed the 2024 men's marathon title with a time of 2:44:31. The race saw 261 marathon finishers with an average finish time of 4:28:48. Helen Webb of Chattanooga won the women's half marathon in 1:27:21.
Mar 3, 2024: Race Generates $1.3 Million Economic Impact
The 2024 Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon Weekend contributed $1.3 million in economic impact to the local community. The event, organized by Chattanooga Sports in partnership with Erlanger Health Systems and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, continues to strengthen the outdoor community while promoting health and wellness throughout the region.

Course Highlights: 01Walnut Street Bridge – Runners cross the historic pedestrian bridge with panoramic views of the Tennessee River and downtown Chattanooga
02Tennessee Aquarium – The course runs along the riverfront past the aquarium, a prominent downtown landmark on the Chattanooga Riverwalk
03Ross's Landing / Chattanooga Riverwalk – A scenic stretch along the Tennessee River where spectators gather and runners enjoy flat, riverfront miles
04Coolidge Park – The race route passes this popular riverfront park with the historic carousel and open green space
05Hunter Museum of American Art / Bluff View Art District – Runners pass the bluff-top museum and the surrounding art district overlooking the river
06Chattanooga Choo Choo – The course goes near the iconic historic train terminal and hotel complex in the Southside neighborhood
07Market Street Bridge (John Ross Bridge) – Runners traverse or pass alongside this downtown bridge offering skyline and river views
Also on this race weekend: Half marathon · 5K
Time Limit: 6:00:00
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 15 years
Entry Methods: Online Registration
Charity Entry
Virtual Race
Group/Corporate Entry
Eligibility: Must register and have an official race bib to participate
Strongly recommended that participants obtain physician clearance and confirm they are medically fit to run
All runners must start at the published start time and complete the course within the official time limit (typically 6 hours)
Race officials may remove any participant deemed unable to continue for safety reasons
No unauthorized pacing or unregistered participants allowed; bib transfers are prohibited
Participants must follow all race rules, course directions, and instructions from race personnel and law enforcement
Use of performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited and subject to disqualification
Required Documents: Government-issued photo ID
Signed race waiver (online or printed)
Emergency contact information (to be provided during registration)
Proof of age (required for age-group awards or if registering as a minor)
Cancellation & Refund Policy: No refunds under any circumstances (all registrations final)
Bib transfers and race-day name changes are not permitted
Deferral to the following year allowed for a fee if requested by the posted deadline (typically ~30 days before race)
Medical deferral available with valid documentation if requested by the posted deadline

01: The Chattanooga Marathon course is USATF-certified and frequently used as a Boston Marathon qualifying course.
02: Runners enjoy scenic stretches along the Tennessee River, the Riverwalk, and views of Lookout Mountain before finishing in downtown Chattanooga.
03: The race weekend includes a runner expo, a kids' run, and a post-race festival with finisher medals, technical shirts, food vendors, and a beer garden.
04: Aid stations with water, sports drink, and gels are located roughly every 1.5–2 miles and medical support is available along the course.
05: Plan to arrive early for downtown parking; race weekend usually provides shuttle options from designated lots and spectator areas near key landmarks like the Walnut Street Bridge.

Prepare for This Race

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