Upcoming running races in and near Memphis, Tennessee - 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and more, with dates, pricing, finish-time stats, start-line maps, and local run clubs to train with.
Memphis running has a split personality that you feel the moment you start exploring: paved greenways threading through wooded suburban parkland, bluff-top riverfront miles downtown, and the shaded car-free loop around Overton Park's Old Forest. Midtown is where most of the city's running life clusters, but the race calendar pulls you across town, from the Mississippi riverfront to East Memphis and out toward Germantown.
What you notice quickly is that this is a city where the greenways and park corridors each have their own character - the Shelby Farms Greenline feels nothing like a riverfront out-and-back along Tom Lee Park, and the single-track inside Shelby Farms Park is a different world again. Races here reflect that variety, and the fall calendar especially fills with events spread across those same neighborhoods.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The Memphis races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.
Common Questions About Racing in Memphis
Am I going to be the slowest person out there at a Memphis 5K?
Across the 6 RunSignup 5K editions with published results on RunSesh - walkers and charity entrants included - the median finisher crossed the line in 36:52, and the median last finisher came in at 1:03:37. That spread tells you these are inclusive fields with a wide range of paces, so no, you are unlikely to be out there alone at the back.
What does it cost to enter a Memphis race, and does it get more expensive if I wait?
Entry fees run from $22 to $45, with a typical fee of $30. Three races already have a price increase scheduled, so if one of them is on your list, registering sooner saves you money. Most races here land right at that $30 mark.
Will I get a shirt at a Memphis race?
37 of the 39 races say they give a shirt. One race says it gives a medal. Two races have not published any giveaway details, so their swag is unknown rather than absent.
When is the best time of year to find a race in Memphis?
Fall is by far the busiest stretch, with 18 races running September through November and September alone accounting for 8. If your training block lands in spring, be aware there is only 1 race scheduled March through May, so the calendar thins out considerably in that window.
Is a Memphis 10K manageable for someone who is not a fast runner?
Across the 4 RunSignup 10K editions with published results on RunSesh - walkers and charity entrants included - the median finisher finished in 1:04:07, and the median last finisher came in at 1:52:06. The median field was 50 runners, so these are smaller, more intimate races than the 5K field.
