The Great American River Run

About the Event

The Great American River Run 2026 is a cornerstone of the Memphis Memorial Day weekend tradition, held as part of the Memphis in May International Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, the event offers a scenic course through the heart of Downtown Memphis and along the banks of the Mississippi River. Known for its high energy and scenic vistas, the race draws both competitive athletes and recreational runners to celebrate the holiday weekend with a massive post-race celebration.

Race Category	Start Time	Course Highlight
Half Marathon	7:00 AM CDT	Comprehensive riverfront and downtown tour
10K Run	7:30 AM CDT	Scenic loops along the Mississippi River
5K Run	7:30 AM CDT	Fast course through the city center

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

-- Venue Location: The start and finish lines are situated in Downtown Memphis, providing easy access to the city's famous landmarks and riverfront parks.
-- Event Experience: True to the spirit of Memphis, the course features live music stations to motivate runners. The post-race celebration is a major highlight, featuring food, beverages, and entertainment in a festive atmosphere.
-- Military Appreciation: In honor of the Memorial Day holiday, the event offers specialized registration categories and discounts for active-duty military personnel and veterans across all race distances.
-- Registration Schedule: The current registration phase is active through April 29, 2026. Fees are structured to be inclusive of all mandatory charges and service fees.
-- Race Swag: Participants typically receive a commemorative race t-shirt, a finisher medal with a distinct Memphis-themed design, and a chip-timed bib for accurate result tracking.
-- Course Support: The route is fully marshalled with aid stations providing water and electrolytes to help runners manage the late May humidity in Tennessee.
-- Organization: The race is organized by the Memphis in May International Festival, an organization with decades of experience in managing large-scale cultural and athletic events in the city.
-- Contact: For logistical questions or group registration inquiries, participants can contact the Memphis in May office at 901-525-4611 or visit the official Race Roster event page.

The Great American River Run 2026 combines the athletic challenge of a world-class road race with the unique soul and hospitality of Memphis, making it a must-attend event for the Memorial Day holiday.

Races Offered

10K

May 23, 2026

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Distance — 10km

terrain

Type — Running

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07:30

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$50.00

10K - Military

May 23, 2026

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Distance — 10km

terrain

Type — Running

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07:30

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$45.00

5K

May 23, 2026

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Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$45.00

5K - Military

May 23, 2026

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Distance — 5km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$40.00

Half Marathon

May 23, 2026

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Distance — 21km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

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$65.00

Half Marathon - Military

May 23, 2026

straighten

Distance — 21km

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$60.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Memphis.

thermostat Temperature

17.3° / 26.7°

wb_sunny Feels like

17.0° / 26.8°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

10h 26m

water_drop Avg rainfall

5.1 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

11.0 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

High

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

High (6.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

73.3%

wb_twilight Sunrise

05:55

nightlight Sunset

19:57

About Memphis

Learn more about the host city, Memphis.

Memphis is the second largest city in the state of Tennessee, after Nashville. The state rests in the southeastern portion of the United States. Memphis, with a population of more than 651,000 (2019), is also the county seat for Shelby County. The city's claims to fame include Graceland, the mansion Elvis Presley lived in during his later years. Perhaps more importantly, Memphis is considered by many to be the home of blues music.