Knoxville Marathon

Knoxville Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

Knoxville Marathon is a full marathon held in Knoxville, United States of America, scheduled for Sunday 31 May 2026. The course is run on road surface with 380m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 280m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Knoxville Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

This is a hilly course with 380m of total elevation gain. The route climbs from 250m to as high as 280m above sea level — a substantial 30m elevation range. Runners should train on hills and plan for a more conservative pacing strategy, especially on the climbs.

Expected Race Day Weather

Based on historical weather data for May, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 17°C and 27°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance over the full distance. There is a low chance of rain (17%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Road

Knoxville Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.

How Difficult Is Knoxville Marathon?

Our difficulty rating for Knoxville Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.

Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Knoxville Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.