Bootleg Marathon
- Date
- September 6, 2026
- Distance
- Half Marathon · Marathon
From the Organizer
NO FRILLS, NO EXCUSES. JUST QUALIFY!
Get ready to bust open some BQ's with the Bootleg Marathon & Half Marathon!
This race is certified for any last chance qualifiers to qualify for the 2027 Boston Marathon.
This race will cap at 50 total participants, first entered first allowed.
This late season race is prime for those who are seeking a last chance Boston Marathon Qualifying time or Peak Half Marathon performance on a course where qualifications are consistently achieved. This race boasts of having 90% of runners meet their age group Boston Qualifications, Or, hitting a PR half marathon.
**NOTE: Race start time is set for 5:30am, this is due to help beat the higher temperatures that occur later during the race.
*We ask you consider a different race if you have not run a marathon before, This is not a recommended first marathon event, or a "Fun" event for those who thrive off the energy of crowds. No Frills means no Frills, this race is for those seeking an opportunity to Qualify... you run your time- or you don't. Simple!
Please see link below to note your specific time goals are: https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify.
Cut-off times for events will be <2:00 Half Marathon and <4:00 for Full Marathon (exceptions can be made according to AG Qualifications.
This race will be low key and no frills- No Shirts, No Awards, No Amenities. Runners will be expected to compete among light traffic as the turnpike outside lane will not be closed off, be prepared to share the road with other forms of traffic (no headphones allowed). The first light will occur around 6:15am followed by street lighting, plan on running in dark conditions for a portion of the event. We HIGHLY recommend runners wear bright & Reflective clothing & flashing light for safety until the sun rises later during the race.
Check in will be race day only at the listed address starting at 4:45am and ending at 5:15am.
Water/ Aid stops on the course can be found at outbound Miles 3, 7 & 11, and Marathon return Miles of 15, 19 & 23. Participants should expect to bring any form of support (food, assistance, etc) they may need during competition. Runners may have bike support or vehicles staged for course support along the route. So long as no athlete progression is provided.
Pacers for the Marathon are required to register for the half marathon (out bound) only. Pacer(s) from half to finish may assume pace duties without having to register. Both courses are CERTIFIED for Age group, National, Regional or Qualifying standards. The Marathon is a USATF Certified course:
Certifying code TN21010MS.
Marathon
Course is an Out-and-Back on the Oak Ridge Turnpike with Bike Lane/ Shoulder with less than 600ft total Elevation gain. A half-way split time will be provided.
Half Marathon
Course is a Point-to-Point on the Oak Ridge Turnpike with Bike Lane/ Shoulder with less than 400ft total Elevation gain. Please plan on having a shuttle ride after race, this is not provided.
Half Course can be found here, Marathon repeats same route back to start:
https://www.strava.com/segments/27536769
*Some exceptions are possible for Cut off times and for those who want to enter after the cap has been met, please email race directors to see if exceptions are available.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
86°
Typical Low
64°
Chance of Rain
28%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Oak Ridge Asos, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Oak Ridge, TN
Elevation
809 ft
Nearest Airport
TYS
McGhee Tyson Airport · 22 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Bootleg Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
90
Days to train
- Race
- Bootleg Marathon
- Date
- September 6, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Oak Ridge, TN
3rd Annual Blackberry Festival 5K
5K
11 miles away
Tour de LiveWise
Less than a mile away
Haw Ridge Trail Race
Less than a mile away
Oak Ridge Fall Classic 5k
5K
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Bootleg Marathon?
- Bootleg Marathon is a running race held in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on September 6, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Bootleg Marathon?
- Sunday, September 6, 2026 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee at 22 N. Jefferson Circle, Oak Ridge, TN. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Bootleg Marathon?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Bootleg Marathon
Sep 6, 2026