Murfreesboro’s half-marathon, the Middle Half, takes off from Greenland Drive just outside of MTSU’s Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium the morning of Sat., Oct. 12, and runners will cross the finish line inside the stadium later that day after meandering through the streets of Murfreesboro surrounding MTSU.The event’s 3,000 running spots sold out just hours after registration opened on June 1.
The flat terrain of Murfreesboro makes for some fast half-marathon finishing times. The course has an elevation variation of only 41 feet over the 13.1-mile race, and in 2012, state records were broken in eight age classes.
Although the race is closed to entries, organizers want the public to be aware of the road closures that day, as the course affects quite a few area roadways. The route winds through the neighborhood between MTSU and the Square, passing by Oaklands Historic House and the Rutherford County Courthouse, before heading East down Main Street to Tennessee to Mercury to Rutherford to Old Lascassas.
Additionally, spectators are encouraged to observe the race and cheer the runners on; a word of wisdom from the race’s website, though: “Don’t say ‘You’re almost there!’ unless they are at least on Old Lascassas Hwy.”
Road races this month
Rutherford Romp 5K
Sat., Oct. 5
7:30 a.m.
Gateway Island Park, 1275 Garrison Dr.
$25
Benefiting The Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County
rutherfordromp.com
The Middle Half
Sat., Oct. 12
7 a.m.
Greenland Drive
SOLD OUT
themiddlehalf.com
Monster Dash 5k
Sat., Oct. 19
5:30 p.m.; fun run at 4:30 p.m.
Gateway Island Park, 1275 Garrison Dr.
$25 for 5k; $10 for fun run
Benefiting The Rutherford County Foster Parent Association
rcfpa.net
Lambert Dillard Memorial 5K
Sat., Oct. 19
8:30 a.m.; fun run at 9:30 a.m.
Sharp Springs Park, Smyrna
Held in memory of Angi Ross Lambert and Carla Dillard
$30 for 5k; $5 for fun run
ymcamidtn.org
