Overall Rating
Overall Rating (36 Reviews)
4.6
(36 Ratings)  (36 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
2
SCENERY
3.5
PRODUCTION
4.7
SWAG
4.3
Take a tour of Newport News… marathon style! Runners will begin their journey in the stunning setting of Newport News Park where they will enjoy the allure of spring in a landscape as historical as it is beautiful. From there the next 26.2 miles will include the very best Newport … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Mar 04):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  51  46  57  63  46
L (°F)  34  34  37  45  37
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Recent reviews

    Profile photo of Robb Barth
    barthr17 FIRST-TIMER '23

    This was my first half ever after a few attempts and injuries stopping me. Had a blast and can’t wait for my 2nd! The course was amazing and the race … MORE

    This was my first half ever after a few attempts and injuries stopping me. Had a blast and can’t wait for my 2nd! The course was amazing and the race is unique in that covers the entire city.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    ambrown.ak FIRST-TIMER '23

    Organization was great. Packet pick up was simple and quick. No real expo though.. Just a couple of booths of sale stuff, so it would have been nice to have … MORE

    Organization was great. Packet pick up was simple and quick. No real expo though.. Just a couple of booths of sale stuff, so it would have been nice to have packet pick up available day of. But I guess that could be a coordination issue as this was a one way run. I’m sure that was well advertised somwhere. But somehow we missed all those spots until night before what we were planning our hotel departure time. But. No big deal. Pleanty of parking and bus options to take you to the start. At the start you were able to hang out inside the school, use the indoor bathrooms, and stay warm.
    – the run itself was great. Pleanty of water and Gatorade stations (though more water than Gatorade). Lots of sideline volunteers handing out jelly beans, m&ms, fruit, and cold towels.
    – course was relatively flat (elevation uploaded in pics). But I walked this half. scenery was nice. Ran through a park for a while. I didn’t see any wild life. Except some dogs to pet! My uncle said there were “three bear” at mile 8.25. I was on the look out… But all I saw was “free beer”. I think maybe he took them up on that beer offer 🤷‍♀️
    -swag was nice, got a white, long sleeve athletic shift (unisex), and a koozie (not from the run), and of course the conveted medal.
    – after you had the option of food from one of four different food trucks and 2 cups of free beer. Panera was also out there with bagels. And this is the only place I’ve seen a post run massage with no line!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4
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    Profile photo of Tia Pettygrue
    tiagayepfa FIRST-TIMER '23

    Great communication before the race. Packet pickup was simple and easy. Race morning parking was plentiful and easy. Race area was nice at a park. Plenty of port-a-lets. Great atmosphere … MORE

    Great communication before the race.
    Packet pickup was simple and easy.
    Race morning parking was plentiful and easy.
    Race area was nice at a park. Plenty of port-a-lets. Great atmosphere with music.
    Race ran a couple miles thru the park and we saw many deer which was awesome.
    Course was perfect, enough turns to keep it interesting. This is not a completely flat course but the inclines were gentle and not long, and the declines were great. So this also made for a good course.
    Course went thru neighborhoods, main streets and parks. Lots of great scenery especially when you were near the water.
    Course support was amazing! So much police support, you felt completely safe, even on the roads that weren’t “closed”.
    Loved the turn into the finish line! Great atmosphere.
    Awesome medal and finish line party with great food options from local food trucks.
    I have nothing but good things to say about this race! I’m glad I chose it to run a Personal Best and a Boston Qualifier. And while the race can’t control this, the weather was absolutely perfect, low 40s to start with almost no wind and sunny skies.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
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    MissRabbit FIRST-TIMER '23

    My boyfriend and I signed up for this race last minute for several reasons. The first was I had tried and failed to secure a BQ time at the marathon … MORE

    My boyfriend and I signed up for this race last minute for several reasons. The first was I had tried and failed to secure a BQ time at the marathon we had run 2 weeks prior. It wasn’t devastating because the course was for the other race wasn’t particularly easy and we planned on running another marathon in the fall. But, we had the bug and the One City Marathon was just waiting for us and the price was great, even for last minute. One City was also my partners very first marathon in 2017 and he was excited to run it again and felt the fast course would secure me the BQ I so very wanted. He was right. The race was spectacular. Well organized shuttles for the exciting point to point course, heated bathroom options at the start and a very easy gear check. The course was flat and fast with a variety of different scenery along the course to keep it interesting. The water/aid stations were abundant with many port-a-John opportunities as well. There was a lot of course support and the spectators were amazing. I especially liked the kids at the halfway point at the schools… they were great and we gave them a show! There were plenty of photographers on course and the finish line medal/snack stations were great! The finish line festival was awesome with lots of cool stuff to do and gear bag retrieval could not have been easier. The kid was handing me my bag before I got there… give that volunteer a cookie!! Food trucks and video booths made the event even more special. We will be returning next year for sure! 5 star race!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3
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    EddiePanda REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Point to point race. Easy to park in the park of the start. Easy to park for family members in the finish area. It's flat = Fast course The race … MORE

    Point to point race. Easy to park in the park of the start. Easy to park for family members in the finish area.
    It’s flat = Fast course
    The race week is a week before the day light saving. No time adjustment is needed. (!!!)

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    2
    SWAG
    3

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    mfmucci FIRST-TIMER '23

    The after party celebration had much more unique selections than other races. Appreciated the complimtary sport massage/stretch. Appreciated the food truck selection and fresh pizza. The course wasn’t crowded with … MORE

    The after party celebration had much more unique selections than other races. Appreciated the complimtary sport massage/stretch. Appreciated the food truck selection and fresh pizza. The course wasn’t crowded with racers so it made it easy to get through. Perfect place to PR.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    Deneen@ FIRST-TIMER '23

    Make sure you fuel, wear nothing new in race day, wear sunscreen, drink a lot fluids, and have fun. Train very well, get a running coach, eat your carbs MORE

    Make sure you fuel, wear nothing new in race day, wear sunscreen, drink a lot fluids, and have fun. Train very well, get a running coach, eat your carbs

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    2
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5
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    sdalessio FIRST-TIMER '23

    This was one of the best organized races that I've done. Packet pickup was smooth and easy. The host hotel while far from the start/finish was great. They were helpful, … MORE

    This was one of the best organized races that I’ve done. Packet pickup was smooth and easy. The host hotel while far from the start/finish was great. They were helpful, provided free food in the AM and had a person at check-in to help with bands for the bus transport. The half started at a high school that opened up and let us stay warm in the gym and use the bathrooms. Lots and lots of volunteers and city personnel support. The only thing that could be improved is the actual community support. The course and race felt a lot like Richmond but in the case of Richmond all the neighborhoods throw big block parties and add to the atmosphere. Most of the neighborhoods for this race were quiet. Maybe the city and organizers could work together to encouragement more community involvement. The finish area was good with a cool signs for pics. There was also a nice area for families and runners to meet up and eat/drink.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    daniellesingson FIRST-TIMER '23

    I have to first say this race is NOT pancake flat… There are a few rollers on course that were a bit of an annoyance. The logistics of this race … MORE

    I have to first say this race is NOT pancake flat… There are a few rollers on course that were a bit of an annoyance.

    The logistics of this race were not terrible. Lots of buses to the start. My friend and I booked an Airbnb that was a block from the finish line so it was a quick walk to the shuttle and there were plenty of buses. I highly recommend this option over the host hotel. My only complaint there is that it was cold first thing in the morning and we had to wait more than an hour before the race and a previous review said you could wait on the bus, not true. Dress warm and check a bag with those clothes before you start.

    The course is not very scenic. Mostly on Long straightaways of main roads and residential areas. The temperature outside and weather was not terrible just most of the route you’re running with the sun in the direction of your face. There was zero wind the day I ran and I felt like a little breeze may have helped because it felt much hotter than it was.

    There was okay crowd support… spectators cheering was wonderful, however there were some long stretches where it just got lonely. Very well marked course and good police support at intersections. You could tell a lot of planning went into this race which was much appreciated.

    Another suggestion for the race organizers: Since this race is boasted as great for a BQ why was there no pacer from 3:30 to 3:45? I needed to run a 3:40 and was basically by myself most of the course… I saw there were pacers for a lot of the over 4 hour times, but a lot of the BQ times had no pacer and maybe it would have been better to have a group instead of running the majority of the course alone.

    I ran a 6 minute marathon PR… Missed a BQ by a little over 3 minutes… But overall this was a well planned out race with good aide stations and course support.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5

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    hallerrs FIRST-TIMER '23

    This is a well put together Marathon, it is a point to point so that is really neat. There are aid, and water/Gatorade stations all over the course, the water … MORE

    This is a well put together Marathon, it is a point to point so that is really neat. There are aid, and water/Gatorade stations all over the course, the water stations were ever 2 miles and water/Gatorade were every 4 I believe. They gave you an energy gel twice throughout the course, and lots of people were around to cheer you on!!! The route took you though a lot of scenic and historic areas. I highly recommend this event!!!.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
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    Profile photo of Marie-Ange Brumelot
    marieange.brumelot REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Impressive organization, you can tell a lot of time. effort, and investment goes into making this weekend a success for Newport News. As smooth as it gets from bib pick-up … MORE

    Impressive organization, you can tell a lot of time. effort, and investment goes into making this weekend a success for Newport News. As smooth as it gets from bib pick-up at expo to dropping off your bag right at the start line, including race morning shuttles and everything in between. The course is flat with tons of support with local crowds and hydration, and clearly marked with mile markers for all events. The post race party at the finish is also tons of fun, includes drinks, food trucks, massage tents for recovery, and lots more. I have ran the full marathon four times and will continue coming to enjoy and support this small town event!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5
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    jennbranmar REPEAT RUNNER '23

    Flat and even course that doubles back so you can cheer on runners and walkers during the race. Nice scenic route in an area of the City with lots of … MORE

    Flat and even course that doubles back so you can cheer on runners and walkers during the race. Nice scenic route in an area of the City with lots of parking and local businesses to visit.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    Profile photo of Sarah Sanders
    sarahbgerman FIRST-TIMER '23

    Great race overall! Very fast and flat. Great weather this year and it seemed very well organized! I'll definitely be back! Hopefully as it grows in size it will draw … MORE

    Great race overall! Very fast and flat. Great weather this year and it seemed very well organized! I’ll definitely be back! Hopefully as it grows in size it will draw more crowd support!

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    Profile photo of Matt Satterwhite
    mattsatt FIRST-TIMER '23

    The race definitely had a small town feel. There were no frills at all. It is a very flat course. I got lucky because the weather was perfect! I Loved … MORE

    The race definitely had a small town feel. There were no frills at all. It is a very flat course. I got lucky because the weather was perfect! I Loved the free massage at the end!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    TFremaux REPEAT RUNNER '23

    I've run the One City Marathon and 8K; this was my first time running the half marathon. I've always found One City races to be very well-organized; this year's race … MORE

    I’ve run the One City Marathon and 8K; this was my first time running the half marathon. I’ve always found One City races to be very well-organized; this year’s race went off like clockwork; there was great on-course support, plenty of water stops, etc. The course is pretty darn flat, just a couple of hills. My favorite part is running through beautiful Mariners’ Museum Park and along the James River. When you reach Hilton Village at Mile 21, be prepared for a warm welcome. The neighborhood welcomes runners with cheer groups, beer and fireball shots (!), and plenty of enthusiasm to propel you to the finish line. The after party in the Yard District is super-fun for you and your support crew.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    Profile photo of Mary Hall
    runnergirl2424 REPEAT RUNNER '23

    I have done this race since it started 9 years ago. I’ve done the marathon, the relays, and the 5k. Even taken on the Carrier Challenge two years running it … MORE

    I have done this race since it started 9 years ago. I’ve done the marathon, the relays, and the 5k. Even taken on the Carrier Challenge two years running it now. The community that comes out ti cheer you on is just amazing!! The after race party with the yummy food trucks and you get a free food item tag that is attached to your bib along with two free beer tags!! What more could you ask for in a race!!!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5

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    celliott1778 FIRST-TIMER '23

    I have run many other races from Flat Out Events, including the One City Half Marathon in 2022. I decided the day before to sign up as I did with … MORE

    I have run many other races from Flat Out Events, including the One City Half Marathon in 2022. I decided the day before to sign up as I did with the Half Marathon last year. The course did not disaapoint. Flat Out Events runs a very well-olied machine and the course was well planned with plenty of water, GatorAde and gels and portable toilets…which I needed once! My only goal was to finish in under 6 hours…7 hours is the course limit. I did better than my half last year, but it caught up to me by mile 20, but I had to finish…and I did! There was aslo plenty of support from the community…fireball and beer included. Really, a memorable event and I will continue to run Flat Out Events and always plan for a fun time!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    hallerrs FIRST-TIMER '23

    This is a really fun event. A lot of runners came out, It was very well organized from the packet pickup to the event. They had very good information for … MORE

    This is a really fun event. A lot of runners came out, It was very well organized from the packet pickup to the event. They had very good information for parking so it was easy to arrive, park, and walk your way over to the start line. The SWAG is nice I like the way the finisher medal looks and you get a nice T-Shirt and various other giveaways.

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    Very well organized. Shuttle service to the start line. Flat paved course, that wasn’t too difficult. Well spaced hydration stations and facilities. Great energy and motivation with volunteers and community … MORE

    Very well organized. Shuttle service to the start line. Flat paved course, that wasn’t too difficult. Well spaced hydration stations and facilities. Great energy and motivation with volunteers and community along the course.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    erietscha REPEAT RUNNER '22

    Very well organized with shuttle taking you from the finish to the starting line 13 or 26 miles away. Plenty of water stations along this flat fast course. Runners receive … MORE

    Very well organized with shuttle taking you from the finish to the starting line 13 or 26 miles away. Plenty of water stations along this flat fast course. Runners receive quality long sleeve race shirts, medals and two beers & food. Not very scenic and course can get boring during the long straight stretches. Highly recommend!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    2
    SWAG
    4

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  1. Races
  2. Newport News One City Marathon