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Chattanooga Marathon

Chattanooga, TN
Sunday, March 29, 2026


  4.3 Stars from 4 Reviews

Course Description
The marathon course was designed by a passionate group of local distance runners to be first and foremost, a great run course. This 26.2 mile course will provide a great experience for the first-time or experienced marathon runner by providing a safe course with plenty of well stocked aid stations, great spectator support, and an amazing finish line experience.

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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, March 29, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 56°F (13°C)
Average High: 68°F (20°C)
Average Low: 45° F (7°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 97.59
Course Score: 97.59

Race Size

2026: 279 Finishers
2025: 243 Finishers
2024: 262 Finishers
2023: 222 Finishers
2022: 140 Finishers
2021: 165 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 3.6%
2025: 4.9%
2024: 7.3%
2023: 6.8%
2022: 10.7%
2021: 3.6%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 8 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 64°F  (18°C)
Low: 39°F  (4°C)

Race Start Conditions

44°F  (7°C)
Humidity: 74%

Clear
N 5 mph

PR Score

97.38

Course Score

97.89






Chattanooga Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Chattanooga Marathon was the 235th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 209th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 3.6% of Chattanooga Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 4.9% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Chattanooga Marathon ranked 283rd among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 163rd so far in 2026. In Tennessee, it ranked 3rd in 2025 and 4th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Chattanooga Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Chattanooga Marathon has a Course Score of 97.59, ranking it as the 376th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest marathon course in Tennessee.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Chattanooga Marathon a PR Score of 97.59. The PR Score ranks the Chattanooga Marathon as the 322nd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 4th best marathon for a PR in Tennessee.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Chattanooga Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Tennessee for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Chattanooga Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed376th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 5th fastest marathon course in Tennessee
Top 82% Nationally#5 of 7 in Tennessee
PR Potential322nd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 4th best marathon for a PR in Tennessee
Top 70% Nationally#4 of 7 in Tennessee
Boston Qualifier Rate283rd highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd highest BQ percentage in Tennessee
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 60% Nationally#3 of 8 in Tennessee
Race Size235th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 6th largest marathon in Tennessee
Based on 2025 results
Top 40% Nationally#6 of 9 in Tennessee

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 793 feet (241m)
Min Elevation: 653 feet (199m)

Elevation Gain: 995 feet (303m)
Elevation Loss: 995 feet (303m)


Chattanooga

Course updated 03/16/2026




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Compare the Chattanooga Marathon to other Marathons

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Race Reviews


4.3
Based on 4 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Crazy Hilly

Full Review:

Over 1000 ft of elevation with majority of it in the second half. Super fun course to run tho and was perfect for my debut, but the crazy big hills at mile 20ish absolutely killed me. Was less then a minute from a BQ with a time of 2:55:55
Reviewed by JS About 2025

Good, not great.

Full Review:

The Expo was small as you would expect for a race this size but in a nice open air pavilion, right at the start/finish line.

There is a big caveat because the 2019 marathon I ran was rather poor weather, with light rain for the first several hours and then torrential downpour starting around 3:45 into it. I felt terrible for the runners still out on the course when it changed to extremely heavy rain, and some of the supporters along the course could be seen packing up at around 3 hours to beat the heavy rain. The number of runners seemed to be much lower than the number listed for past years, likely due to the rain. There was very limited spectator support along the course as well. Small groups in some spots, but mostly just the scattered volunteers, and otherwise all quiet along the course. For running in a city, the back half of the marathon had a large amount of solitude.

Race Tips:

The course itself is mediocre. It shows some of the good of Chattanooga, but there are long stretches that are very unremarkable (industrial parks, scrap yards, neighborhoods that are largely run down and only partially revitalized, etc). I know Chattanooga has more to offer than that.

The course has several significant hills, and they say the total climb is around 1300' which is similar to what my watch said.

You run two loops for the marathon, with the 2nd loop mostly the same as the first one which is a let down.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

There are a ton of new breweries and great places in Chattanooga. I visited probably far too many of them the day before the race!
Reviewed by ATF About 2019

Very pretty course

Full Review:

Weather was perfect, very pretty course, great course support, nice expo, decent swag, very helpful staff. I missed the awards ceremony (I really needed a shower) and when I came back and inquired, I wandered with friends to grab some food at the expo area and the staff tracked me down to give me my award. They really went out of their way and made me feel very valued. For only about 342 marathon finishers, I felt the race did a great job of supporting us and making everyone from the first to the last finisher feel important.

Race Tips:

Great course but it certainly is hilly (which I knew and wanted). Their pacers were fabulous and right on target that I saw this year. Be prepared for some steeper slopes, up and down, stay hydrated, there are some non-shady lengths along the course.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Everything is close to the finish, you can walk to the start but the buses were great and they let spectator on which was nice.
Reviewed by Linda W. About 2018

Full Review:

Excellent course, volunteers and the local population support was wonderful too. loved the route by the river, all the old factories, all the rolling hills.

Few things to change, one - there was a sign that said 40k was wrongly placed but was approximately at 39k and the 25 mile sign seemed to be correct and was about 1km away. unfortunately this gave false hope to those trying to get a faster time even though their gps devices probably said otherwise. that's about it.

Second, probably keep some supplies of ice at aid stations towards the end of the race, it was getting much warmer than earlier and i could see fellow runners needing to be cooled down.

Race Tips:

Not a flat course, If you are from a flat part of the country, please train in hills.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Plenty of good hotels near the start/finish area. can park at finish and they have shuttles that take you to start, if you decide to do so.
Reviewed by MV About 2017