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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My First Marathon
I ran the VCU Health Richmond Marathon as my first ever Marathon. I've been training since I recovered from covid in February. I've run over 800 miles in preparation for … MORE
I ran the VCU Health Richmond Marathon as my first ever Marathon. I’ve been training since I recovered from covid in February. I’ve run over 800 miles in preparation for this race, most of them pushing my 2 year old in her stroller! I was so excited yet so nervous. The start line was so chaotic. With the street closures, I barely made it to the start on time and even had to skip the bathroom line to make my start, which came back to haunt me at mile 14. Once I started, went very smooth and most of my nerves calmed down. The course was a little hilly, a lot hilly in some places, and I was met with a nasty head wind that lasted from mile 23 until the end. Overall, this was an amazing experience. There were so many snacks and energy gels and drinks throughout the course. I’m a type 1 diabetic who accidentally left her honey stinger gels at home so this was super helpful. I had so much fun. The only sad thing was that I didn’t get a medal at the end but I’m definitely going to sign up for next year 🙂
Friendly & Fast! A “must-do” race to PR
This is a fantastic race! Frequent aid stations every 2 hours and non stop crowd support and course entertainment to make the miles fly by. Great communication pre race for … MORE
This is a fantastic race! Frequent aid stations every 2 hours and non stop crowd support and course entertainment to make the miles fly by. Great communication pre race for athletes and spectators. Allow time to navigate crowds/parking at expo and on day of race.
Great course, amazing views and swag!
The course is beautiful! Definitely not a flat course but the hills were manageable. I was surprised at how much course support there was as far as water, fuel, snacks….. … MORE
The course is beautiful! Definitely not a flat course but the hills were manageable. I was surprised at how much course support there was as far as water, fuel, snacks….. I stayed at the Omni and it was an easy walk to the start. I definitely want to do this race again. It was perfect for a first timer!
Great for a first marathon
Overall an easy course with a few rolling hills. Great course support and after party and swag. I enjoyed the junk food stops and the pickle juice. The community really … MORE
Overall an easy course with a few rolling hills. Great course support and after party and swag. I enjoyed the junk food stops and the pickle juice. The community really comes out to support the runners. Would recommend this race to anyone.
Excellent experience!
This was my fourth half-marathon & my favorite to date. The course is absolutely flat and fast with diverse scenery, and there are plenty of aid stations and strong crowd … MORE
This was my fourth half-marathon & my favorite to date. The course is absolutely flat and fast with diverse scenery, and there are plenty of aid stations and strong crowd support along the way. The downhill finish is great, and I really enjoyed the after party as well. The swag is pretty good too. I really feel like this was one of the most well-organized races I’ve done, and there was a lot of communication throughout. I will absolutely run Richmond again.
Grat Race Unforgetable Experience
I was looking for a marathon to celebrate my 50th birthday and I was so lucky that Richmond Marathon was run this year exactly on my birthday. For me everything … MORE
I was looking for a marathon to celebrate my 50th birthday and I was so lucky that Richmond Marathon was run this year exactly on my birthday. For me everything went great Expo, water stations, support along the course, scenery, almost flat, the blanket, the hat, the tshirt the pizza and the beer
I really recommend Richmond Marathon.
First timer—would run again!
Great experience! First time running a half marathon so I was feeling nervous. Course is very kind to runners (very flat, not many inclines). Very organized, loved the swag. Others … MORE
Great experience! First time running a half marathon so I was feeling nervous. Course is very kind to runners (very flat, not many inclines). Very organized, loved the swag. Others runners very supportive and Richmond was a fun place to celebrate that night!
A perfect race for a first-timer!
The course goes through different areas of Richmond, including the most beautiful view of a river with autumn trees at their peak. Junk food stations, party stops, and the many … MORE
The course goes through different areas of Richmond, including the most beautiful view of a river with autumn trees at their peak. Junk food stations, party stops, and the many cheering squads made this a fun first marathon for me and my crew.The blanket, hat, medal, AND long-sleeved tshirt were just icing on the cake of a relatively easy course with only a hill or two – so much of it felt downhill! The only issue I had was that I was still adjusting to daylight savings time, but the opportunity to see so much of this cool city and flying downhill to the finish vastly outweighs that bit of whining.
Most friendly and Beautiful Marathon
The first half of the course is fast, taking you through some of Richmond's beautiful and historic neighborhoods as well as along the James River when the leaves are full … MORE
The first half of the course is fast, taking you through some of Richmond’s beautiful and historic neighborhoods as well as along the James River when the leaves are full of color. It is beautiful. The second half is a little more challenging with the dreaded Lee Bridge that seems to last forever but you still have the crowd support the race is known for. The finish is wonderful. .2 miles of a downhill straightaway that makes you want to fly in spite of being exhausted. It is the best race and I will run it until I can’t run anymore.
Can’t wait for next year
Best spectator and crowd support! Beautiful scenery. Mostly flat course. Packet pickup at Richmond Raceway was simple and well organized. MORE
Best spectator and crowd support! Beautiful scenery. Mostly flat course.
Packet pickup at Richmond Raceway was simple and well organized.
An amazing race with amazing community!
A beautiful course with some small hills, and an amazing downhill finish! The spectators were incredible and the race swag was on point! Thankful that Richmond could be my first … MORE
A beautiful course with some small hills, and an amazing downhill finish! The spectators were incredible and the race swag was on point!
Thankful that Richmond could be my first marathon!
Fantastic Event
Great course with a mix of city, suburbs and countryside. Enthusiastic spectators along most of the course. Event production was top class. Plenty of convenient parking. MORE
Great course with a mix of city, suburbs and countryside. Enthusiastic spectators along most of the course. Event production was top class. Plenty of convenient parking.
My favorite Half Marathon
I've run over 40 half marathons and Richmond is my favorite by far! The crowd support is incredible, the course is fun and beautiful and the after party is always … MORE
I’ve run over 40 half marathons and Richmond is my favorite by far! The crowd support is incredible, the course is fun and beautiful and the after party is always a great time. It is also my second favorite full, only beat out by Marine Corps Marathon.
So beautiful & big crowd support
Richmond is the only marathon I’ve run - and I’ve run it three times. 2019 - first year running. It was windy and the course was beautiful but I was … MORE
Richmond is the only marathon I’ve run – and I’ve run it three times.
2019 – first year running. It was windy and the course was beautiful but I was not ready for the second half of the race. The Lee bridge (which I had trained on) was merciless. It slowed my pace significantly and I didn’t think I would make it. After the Lee bridge there was a junk food station that saved my LIFE! The next tough spot I found was on Brook road. This is near the end of the race and it has very few spectators. It is only 4 more miles – but with no energy from a crowd it feels like 400 miles away. Once you turn off Brook the crowds are back! How wonderful to hear a band a local school? Or cheerleaders from rival schools trying to OUT CHEER each runner. My bib had my name on it – so these people were saying “you got this Veronica!” In the end you get a medal, a hat, and a gorgeous fleece blanket. The crowd is huge at the downhill finish. Then the after party area has a yoga section, pizza party section, local beers on tap, a PR bell 🔔!!!! The scenery was not a priority in 2019 as my goal was to finish.
2020 – ugh what a tough year. That’s ok Richmond Marathon had our backs with a semi-in-person race. They put a race up that would not be 100% virtual but would allow for social distancing. It was on a trail that is famous in Virginia, the Capital Trail and had support of water stops, and a real finish line for almost an entire month! The course would open at 7am and close at 7pm for several weeks. During this time you would run the course tracking through an app. It was NOT a traditional marathon but it was something better than virtual or canceling the race all together.
2021- we were back baby!!! In person! This year I decided to run with a first timer and really take in the scenery. It is gorgeous. Several times I said “wow! We live in such a beautiful place!” The weather was perfect in the morning. The crowds were in full support and it was so wonderful! The wind was out again- but not until after the Lee bridge (thank goodness!). The first half of the course takes you through downtown, into really cute areas of town and of course right along the river. It showcases all the beauty we have here in Richmond. After the river scenery there are several hills to crest. If you take it too quickly on the first sets of hills you will have to come to terms with walking the rest. Then after finally finishing all of those hills (not to bad individually but tough back-to-back) you feel great and hit the Lee bridge. This year there was not too much wind at this point- and you get a perfect skyline view of this gorgeous city. You can the end of the race from the bridge too! After the bridge you get to see all the drunken brunchers that come out and cheer you on. This year our name was not on our bib but I still got a lot of “great job red shirt” or “your almost there random stranger!” After the Main st brunchers you are tackling the back half of the marathon. There are junk food tables, a pickle juice station, several people that are not race official but are camping out and REALLY want you to take a shot! Monument really has a myriad of offerings, and people. Then you hit Brook road. A quiet part of the race that shows you cute neighborhoods but you are ready for the end. After Brook – the crowds are back. There are musicians, and people with all sorts of noise makers, people that finished a different race and came back yo cheer! The final 2.2 miles are a blur of people and cheering. The finish is downhill- and downhill running makes for great photos! You look fast, strong, and so happy for pizza and beer!!! This year sadly there were no medals due to shipping issues, but there was the blanket and hat. I also went to get my “slice of pizza” and I got an entire box of pizza! My son was so impressed. The finish area was a bit different from 2019 – but it was still wonderful!
Tl;dr: I highly recommend this race. It’s beautiful with downhill finish. Great crowd support and pretty fun swag.
Great race!
Great race. Flat and fast course that covered almost all scenic spots in the city. Crowd was great and atmosphere was first class. Definitely will back in the future! MORE
Great race. Flat and fast course that covered almost all scenic spots in the city. Crowd was great and atmosphere was first class. Definitely will back in the future!
Worth the name!
It was an awesome race that was so well organized despite all the pandemic mania! I love the route, the crowds, the support, and great training team altogether, making it … MORE
It was an awesome race that was so well organized despite all the pandemic mania! I love the route, the crowds, the support, and great training team altogether, making it America’s friendliest marathon. It will be a great BQ race, and I will definitely run again! and bring friends to it!
Great course, great experience
I've run this race three times, and each time the experience has gone off without a hitch. Beautiful course, well-marked, water stops every 2-3 miles, and it's pretty friendly to … MORE
I’ve run this race three times, and each time the experience has gone off without a hitch. Beautiful course, well-marked, water stops every 2-3 miles, and it’s pretty friendly to spectators- relatively easy to navigate for them, so there are only short stretches without encouraging bystanders. It’s on the flat side, but there are some gradual uphills that sneak up on you. The final mile is downhill though, which is very welcome.
This half needs to be on your schedule
This race occurs at a great time in the Fall season. The course runs through very scenic areas of Richmond. The crowd support is awesome and the race is well … MORE
This race occurs at a great time in the Fall season. The course runs through very scenic areas of Richmond. The crowd support is awesome and the race is well organized. I love the signature finisher blanket. This race will definitely be on my annual playlist!
Back and Better Than Ever!
I haven't participated in this race since 2019, so running it in 2021 was an absolutely incredible experience. This was my first major race since the pandemic and it did … MORE
I haven’t participated in this race since 2019, so running it in 2021 was an absolutely incredible experience. This was my first major race since the pandemic and it did not disappoint. I really appreciate both the energy of the crowds and the downhill finish. I ran 20 minutes faster than I did in 2019 and got myself a nice PR! I’m looking forward to returning in November 2022 as I attempt my first full marathon, and I couldn’t imagine conquering this challenge on any other course! I recommend that absolutely everyone runs Richmond!
Love my hometown race!
I’ve run Richmond twice and had a great experience both times. I’ve run NYC, Chicago, and the Rock N Roll DC Marathon and I can easily say Richmond’s spectators, organization, … MORE
I’ve run Richmond twice and had a great experience both times. I’ve run NYC, Chicago, and the Rock N Roll DC Marathon and I can easily say Richmond’s spectators, organization, swag, and scenery are just about on par with NYC and Chicago. (Rock N Roll DC was my least favorite and I’d never run it again). I’d argue the scenery is better in RVA because you get a variety – city, suburbs, riverside. My ONLY complaint is that the post-race party was super crowded this year.