After making our triumphant return to our downtown course, Sports Backers is excited to continue to provide you the same superior race day experience that you’ve come to expect when you run Richmond! We pride ourselves on being able to not only organize a large-scale event, but to also make our event feel tailor-made for all our participants regardless of size. From registration, to packet pick up, swag, on course entertainment, aid stations, and more, we want to make every step of your journey easy and fun. We look forward to the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon and we want to see you at the finish!
Come run in the capital of Virginia and see for yourself why we’re a Travel + Leisure Top Destination! Each of our scenic courses showcases some of our city’s favorite attributes. With street art, river views, historic architecture, and beautiful parks, our race routes treat runners to a unique and unforgettable tour of RVA that ends with our renowned downhill finish and CoStar Post Race Party on the riverfront!
Run through scenic and historic sections of Richmond, including along and across the beautiful James River. The marathon course is great for first-timers and features some rolling hills. The marathon is USA Track & Field sanctioned and certified and is a top Boston Qualifier.
The CarMax Richmond Half Marathon takes everything we love about the full, and packs it into 13.1 miles. Sure it’s half the distance, but it’s just as fun! So what are you waiting for?! Richmond is calling!
Or get in on the race day fun with an 8K (4.97 miles) run or walk through downtown Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. You’ll be the first on the course to experience our awesome crowd support and enthusiastic spectators.
During your race, you’ll also encounter live bands, DJs, spirit groups, and Party Zones that will offer plenty of encouragement and motivation. Need an extra burst of energy? We have you covered with junk food stops, wet wash cloths, and pickle juice (marathon and half participants only)! Once you cross the finish line, you’ll be greeted by a well-earned celebration on Brown’s Island complete with pizza and a Hardywood beer on the house!
Take some time to revel in your accomplishment, but don’t let your Richmond experience end there. Whether you’re a local or from out of town, there’s a whole city to explore. You might just decide you don’t want to leave!
Run Richmond once and you, too, will know why we’re “America’s Friendliest Marathon!”
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This race got me HOOKED!
This is the race that changed my life! I had run many 10ks and 5ks in the past, and was certain I was a short distance runner. A friend convinced … MORE
This is the race that changed my life! I had run many 10ks and 5ks in the past, and was certain I was a short distance runner. A friend convinced me to join the Richmond Half marathon and ever since I’ve been hooked on running. The race was gorgeous, the energy was overflowing at the start line. I had no idea there was so much crowd support. My first 6 miles I ran faster miles than I’d ran in years. After I finished the first thing I asked my coach was “When is the next one!?” Currently training to qualify for Boston Marathon and have now run 3 more half marathons with many more planned. Packet pickup was easy, expo was a blast, crowd support was like being in an arena with 30,000 fans! I had the best time and this will become an annual race for me to participate in.
Great Race, fun one to do.
This was a really great race. Lots of scenery, runners, and spectators. My favorite stretch was down around mile 9 by the river and the big rocks. This is must … MORE
This was a really great race. Lots of scenery, runners, and spectators. My favorite stretch was down around mile 9 by the river and the big rocks. This is must do for anybody needing VA in the 50 states marathon running club.
You do finish on a island, which is a little packed and hard to find people if you are looking for them so I suggest having a meet up plan for after the race.
Love this race!
This was my first Richmand Full marathon but I've done the half 2 other times! :) Loooved this race! It was so fun! So much energy from crowd and great … MORE
This was my first Richmand Full marathon but I’ve done the half 2 other times! 🙂
Loooved this race! It was so fun! So much energy from crowd and great downhill at the end when my legs were jelly. I collapsed at end from exhaustion and the medical team was incredible!
Good big city race
great production. Nice swag. Good after party. It's hard to beat the excitement of a big city race. Spectators lined the course. Big down hill for the finish. MORE
great production. Nice swag. Good after party. It’s hard to beat the excitement of a big city race. Spectators lined the course. Big down hill for the finish.
Great race, great swag, relatively flat
Had a good time, was fun to see the neighborhoods come out, great swag with a hat and a blanket. Liked the goats at the packet pickup at the race … MORE
Had a good time, was fun to see the neighborhoods come out, great swag with a hat and a blanket. Liked the goats at the packet pickup at the race track!
a great race!
I enjoyed almost every aspect of this race. The marathon course scenery is excellent. It was nice to run next to the James River as well as through many neighborhoods. … MORE
I enjoyed almost every aspect of this race. The marathon course scenery is excellent. It was nice to run next to the James River as well as through many neighborhoods. There are several long, gradual hills along this course. I appreciated the downhill finish. It helped me stretch my legs and provided a mental boost.
Most of the marathon course was spectated well, however, there were a few “slow spots” with only a handful of spectators. The aid stations were plentiful and I appreciated that some of the volunteers would help me fill my hand held water bottle.
By far, my favorite part along the course were the cheer zones and groups. You KNOW when you’ve passed the November Project and Lululemon. Excellent job cheering!
Friendly vibe all the way
Well organized race. Lots of help at aid stations. Great support from people along the race. Weather was perfect. Lots of parking options downtown but get there early. Bag check … MORE
Well organized race. Lots of help at aid stations. Great support from people along the race. Weather was perfect. Lots of parking options downtown but get there early. Bag check and pick up ran perfectly.
First Richmond Half!
Fantastic event/course from start to finish. Pros - Smooth race check in for getting bib/shirt at Richmond Raceway the day before race. Parking downtown the morning of race was easy … MORE
Fantastic event/course from start to finish. Pros – Smooth race check in for getting bib/shirt at Richmond Raceway the day before race. Parking downtown the morning of race was easy and had no trouble getting out quickly after, although I did park in a lot that cost $20 which was a bummer (not sure if there were free lots available). The course itself was great, mostly flat with only 2-3 short gentle climbs throughout with a nice downhill to finish. Adequate and plentiful aid stations throughout with people cheering you along the whole course. Felt like a giant party/celebration the whole way. Big shoutout to the emergency response system the race has in place – I personally witnessed 2 racers go down with injury/health issues and emergency crew were readily available to attend to both racers that I saw.
Only cons – parking cost as mentioned above (but that could have just been the lot I chose, not sure if there were cheaper/free lots available. And for some reason I was given a unisex small (thought I ordered women’s small), which turned out to be huge on me, but I was able to exchange it for a women’s small that fit me much better.
I am super glad I ran this race. It was a PR for me for the half distance, and my first time running the half in Richmond. I plan to return next year for the full marathon!
Great scenic race, well organized
I really enjoyed this race! Good support in terms of crowds and aid stations, very scenic this time of the year. Rolling hills didn’t feel quite as challenging as I … MORE
I really enjoyed this race! Good support in terms of crowds and aid stations, very scenic this time of the year.
Rolling hills didn’t feel quite as challenging as I had expected going into it, but the downhill finish can be a little rough on tired legs.
Would absolutely run again!
Legit the best marathon ever. I
Very few spots without spectators and those spectators will get you amped to keep going. Gorgeous fall colors and wonderful course that will challenge you but is not brutally hilly. … MORE
Very few spots without spectators and those spectators will get you amped to keep going. Gorgeous fall colors and wonderful course that will challenge you but is not brutally hilly. The course highlights the best of RVA. Truly America’s friendliest marathon
Love the scenery and the people!
Very well organized race. I did prefer previous year's routes to this route so hope they switch it back as there were more hills in the park and through the … MORE
Very well organized race. I did prefer previous year’s routes to this route so hope they switch it back as there were more hills in the park and through the neighborhood after. Other than that, more people are needed to assist with bag check retrieval after, but the after party makes up for it and I love the swag!
Great course, friendly atmosphere
This was a wonderful marathon course with beautiful scenery, variety of terrain, and great support. The race was very organized, turns were well marked, and there was lots of support … MORE
This was a wonderful marathon course with beautiful scenery, variety of terrain, and great support. The race was very organized, turns were well marked, and there was lots of support from water stations to bathrooms to medical help to local music and fuel that included Gu, junk food, and pickle juice! The course was not too hilly. It was perfect for hitting a PR!!
An amazing race
Great course with lots of scenery and fan support. There were some potholes and some of the signs for directions were a bit confusing. I have done this race four … MORE
Great course with lots of scenery and fan support. There were some potholes and some of the signs for directions were a bit confusing. I have done this race four other times and I will definitely do it again.
Friendliest Marathon
Richmond stands by their reputation as America's Friendliest Marathon. The crowd support was so motivating and there were only a few hills. The only area I noticed lack of crowd … MORE
Richmond stands by their reputation as America’s Friendliest Marathon. The crowd support was so motivating and there were only a few hills. The only area I noticed lack of crowd support was on the greenway, but it was so pretty and peaceful that it kept my mind occupied and relaxed. I was lucky to have perfect weather. November is typically a cool and dry season. I love the unique finisher blanket and downhill finish!
Great race, will be back!
This was my first time running this race and it was great. The expo was very well organized and it had a lot of options for different likes. I really … MORE
This was my first time running this race and it was great. The expo was very well organized and it had a lot of options for different likes. I really enjoy the morning of the race because it was well organized and it started on time. It is hard to do so well with that many people but you can tell the organizers and volunteers did a great job. The after party was also great. They way they had everything set up allowed for a good flow of the people. I enjoyed it so much that next year I want to go back and try a different distance.
The ultimate marathon experience
This was my fourth year running the Richmond Marathon, and a new personal record for me! I’ve been running marathons for the past 10 years and this is hands down … MORE
This was my fourth year running the Richmond Marathon, and a new personal record for me! I’ve been running marathons for the past 10 years and this is hands down my favorite course. The course is beautiful with rolling hills, the expo is awesome, and the crowd support cannot be beat. There are water stations with plenty of volunteers so you are not scrambling trying to grab water or Nuun. Every mile is very clearly marked. There is nothing confusing about which way to go in any part of the course- everything is clearly marked with volunteers throughout. There are awesome party zones with loud motivating music. The pickle juice at mile 23 was a game changer for me. Everything is so professional about this marathon it’s on par with the World Marathon Majors. But my favorite part of the entire event is the downhill finish- there is nothing like being able to sprint across the downhill finishing chute. Running the Richmond Marathon has truly turned into a tradition for me and my support team. I can’t wait to run it again.
Best First Race Experience!!!
This race experience was incredible. I have been wanting to run the 8K for a few years now and I finally found the nerve to commit. From the start of … MORE
This race experience was incredible. I have been wanting to run the 8K for a few years now and I finally found the nerve to commit. From the start of the day till the end, I loved it. It was one of the most welcoming and uplifting environments I’ve been in. The course was a breeze and relatively flat. It made me love running again and I am so excited for the future. 2024 goal: complete my first marathon!!!
Great race!
The course is gorgeous! The course starts out flat and then moves into rolling hills. The spectators were great! Lots of refreshments and water stops. MORE
The course is gorgeous! The course starts out flat and then moves into rolling hills. The spectators were great! Lots of refreshments and water stops.
Joined the marathon club in Richmond!
The entire race was a blast! So much support throughout the race. The aid stations were every two miles. It consisted of water first then Nuun electrolytes. The atmosphere was … MORE
The entire race was a blast! So much support throughout the race. The aid stations were every two miles. It consisted of water first then Nuun electrolytes. The atmosphere was insane! So many people out cheering you on. Tons of scenery along the course as well. This is my own fault but I didn’t realize the course would be roughly 950ft of elevation gain and that really hit me around mile 21. I will definitely run the Richmond Marathon again and I would encourage you to run it as well!
Great choice for first timer marathoner
I chose this race for my first marathon because I read that it was well-organized, fairly flat, and had great crowd support. I found all of those things to be … MORE
I chose this race for my first marathon because I read that it was well-organized, fairly flat, and had great crowd support. I found all of those things to be true. I really think the race organizers thought of everything, and included fun extras like junk food stops. Everything at the expo and post race part was so organized. I appreciated the pace groups during the race, and the spectators were awesome. I couldn’t have asked for a better first marathon. I smiled the entire race.