After having several races canceled I was just glad that Richmond pulled this off. Under the circumstances they did a great job. This got moved from the downtown route to … MORE
After having several races canceled I was just glad that Richmond pulled this off. Under the circumstances they did a great job. This got moved from the downtown route to Eastern Henrico. It started in a park, required crossing the road at a few points and watching for oncoming cars, but after mile 4 you just stayed on the paved Capitol trail for the next 8 and then returned-keeping an eye out for bikers. No fans, no music, stretches of miles where you at most saw a runner or two-not the same experience, but still well done. Mile.markers were clear, route was scenic,water stops were much quicker than expected, swag was excellent. Nice medal, awesome tech shirt-white was a good choice for the color, and marathon blanket. Check in was easy. The course was even hillier than expected. The first 14 miles I was on pace to have a sub 4 time and then the hills got to me. Miles 5-8 were rolling hills at first, but each succeeding hill got worse. At mile 15 I hit the wall. The last 11 was pure will power to complete the race without stopping..Still, the marathon did a great job running this during the pandemic and I was grateful for the opportunity
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Just Glad to run
After having several races canceled I was just glad that Richmond pulled this off. Under the circumstances they did a great job. This got moved from the downtown route to … MORE
After having several races canceled I was just glad that Richmond pulled this off. Under the circumstances they did a great job. This got moved from the downtown route to Eastern Henrico. It started in a park, required crossing the road at a few points and watching for oncoming cars, but after mile 4 you just stayed on the paved Capitol trail for the next 8 and then returned-keeping an eye out for bikers. No fans, no music, stretches of miles where you at most saw a runner or two-not the same experience, but still well done. Mile.markers were clear, route was scenic,water stops were much quicker than expected, swag was excellent. Nice medal, awesome tech shirt-white was a good choice for the color, and marathon blanket. Check in was easy. The course was even hillier than expected. The first 14 miles I was on pace to have a sub 4 time and then the hills got to me. Miles 5-8 were rolling hills at first, but each succeeding hill got worse. At mile 15 I hit the wall. The last 11 was pure will power to complete the race without stopping..Still, the marathon did a great job running this during the pandemic and I was grateful for the opportunity
My Favorite
Great crowd support and beautiful course as you run through Richmond, along Monument Avenue, running besides the James River and finishing on a downhill back in the city at Browns … MORE
Great crowd support and beautiful course as you run through Richmond, along Monument Avenue, running besides the James River and finishing on a downhill back in the city at Browns Island on the James. Crossing the bridge around mile 16 can be windy and the start can be cold but you will receive at the finish which includes a blanket.
Definitely "Friendliest Marathon"
This race is so well organized and the support from locals is unbelievable! I'd say it's not really as flat as it's advertised; I was expecting a flat/fast course but … MORE
This race is so well organized and the support from locals is unbelievable! I’d say it’s not really as flat as it’s advertised; I was expecting a flat/fast course but it was definitely more of a rolling hills type of course. I breezed right through the first half, on track to finish in under 4 hours but the bridge at mile 15 really killed my momentum and by mile 20, I knew sub 4 was not in the cards. I still managed to snag an 8 minute PR and the downhill finish seriously had me on cloud nine.
Beautiful, friendly run
My first ever marathon. I did horribly, but finished. Very scenic and well organized. Weather was lovely and cooperative. It was easy to get to the race and a lot … MORE
My first ever marathon. I did horribly, but finished. Very scenic and well organized. Weather was lovely and cooperative. It was easy to get to the race and a lot of work clearly went into the post-race activities and hospitality. Couldn’t have asked for a better introduction race for marathoning.
Cold and windy
Uphill at mile 15 into the wind was tough! Great support along the route from official volunteers to neighborhood folks. Finish area was a nice zone. MORE
Uphill at mile 15 into the wind was tough! Great support along the route from official volunteers to neighborhood folks. Finish area was a nice zone.
Fun half in a historic city
There were aid stations every 2 miles for the first half then every mile after that. I did the half and loved every minute of it. The organization was perfect. … MORE
There were aid stations every 2 miles for the first half then every mile after that. I did the half and loved every minute of it. The organization was perfect. Communication via email and website was great. I loved how they even had the names of what parking decks to park if you wanted to be by the start or by the finish. I loved the diagrams on their website and in the PDF race book they sent us a few weeks before. The pickle juice was different and I found I loved it! I do think it helped! The course is pretty flat and took us through a bunch of different neighborhoods and parks. There was plenty of crowd support but I never felt like it was crazy busy or crowded. All in all a great race that I would do again!
Great crowd support
This was a well-run race from packet pick up/expo through the finishers area. There were aid stations every 2 miles and the race lived up to its "junk" food rep … MORE
This was a well-run race from packet pick up/expo through the finishers area. There were aid stations every 2 miles and the race lived up to its “junk” food rep without being over the top. The course wound its way through many different parts of the city including some very pretty parts down by the James River. Lots of tailgaters and other folks out supporting the runners. Nice swag and finishing food. It is also a nice race for spectators. Fairly easy to navigate around the city to different spots and a great place to meet up and get food at the end on Brown’s Island. The course is fairly flat with a few minor hills and a nice downhill finish that is not too hard on tired legs. Great first timers race and a great place to PR.
America's Friendliest Marathon!
This is a beautiful course with lots of support- aid stations every 2 miles anyone? Music and crowd support also great. Pickle juice and junk food stops for those that … MORE
This is a beautiful course with lots of support- aid stations every 2 miles anyone? Music and crowd support also great. Pickle juice and junk food stops for those that want them. The downhill finish can be a bit scary depending on the effort you’ve put out throughout the race. I’d recommend this race to anyone!
Overall well done race in all aspects
It was my first marathon and a great choice. Good production, organization, swag, scenery, and friendly folks along the way. Not hilly. You might have to deal with some wind … MORE
It was my first marathon and a great choice. Good production, organization, swag, scenery, and friendly folks along the way. Not hilly. You might have to deal with some wind crossing the bridge at mile 15, but hey you’ll make it and finish like a boss.
Good course and support
Overall, I enjoyed this marathon. With as many runners as there were, minus the start, there always seemed to be adequate space on the course so you didn't feel like … MORE
Overall, I enjoyed this marathon. With as many runners as there were, minus the start, there always seemed to be adequate space on the course so you didn’t feel like you were having to dodge other runners. I really enjoyed the section of the marathon course that ran along the river away from town.
The water stations were well supported and well stocked. A few times they did get a little crowded with runners stopping to walk and volunteers on both sides of the course at the same spot but overall, I would rate them positively. Having the pickle juice at one water stop was great but I wish it would have been at another one as well. If it was, I missed it completely.
The bridge crossing during mile 15 was brutal due to the high winds but on a non-windy day, I’m sure this could be a highlight of the race due to the scenery.
I absolutely loved the finish due to the good crowd support and then flying down hill to the finish line. The race swag was okay. Blankets and hats were nice but everything I received said “half marathon” and seemed relatively cheaply made but still nice to have something.
Again the finish area / post-race party would have been great (great location, refreshments, etc.) but on a windy, cool day, I was freezing within a short time and could not stay out in the cold much longer. On a nice day though, it’s a great spot for post race activities.
I also appreciated the tour of Richmond.
Beautiful Course, Amazing Support
Very easy to get to the start. The finish area had all the good stuff! The swag was amazing! The medal, the blanket, the hat, the shirt....all top notch! The … MORE
Very easy to get to the start. The finish area had all the good stuff! The swag was amazing! The medal, the blanket, the hat, the shirt….all top notch! The spectators were fantastic! The volunteers were wonderful! While the course had a bit more elevation that I was expecting, I thought the course was beautiful and I would definitely run it again. The strong winds that day made it a bit more challenging however.
Nice well organized race!
Great aid stations. Well organized. Crowd support was nice, but not significantly better than Raleigh City of Oaks race. The race expo had great options. The course was relatively flat … MORE
Great aid stations. Well organized. Crowd support was nice, but not significantly better than Raleigh City of Oaks race. The race expo had great options. The course was relatively flat with only a few hills. That downhill finish was AWESOME!
Cold and windy...
Cold and windy - still accomplished a personal best! The spectators were awesome and had silly signs that made me laugh during the race. The cheering was amazing and really … MORE
Cold and windy – still accomplished a personal best! The spectators were awesome and had silly signs that made me laugh during the race. The cheering was amazing and really kept me going.
Beautiful course + Horrible roads
Beautiful course that helped you forget how long you are running. The roads were full of potholes and uneven parts. I did trip and fall over a pothole during mile … MORE
Beautiful course that helped you forget how long you are running. The roads were full of potholes and uneven parts. I did trip and fall over a pothole during mile 2 and at that point I knew I wasn’t going to get a shiny new PR. So, I decided to enjoy the race and everything that went along with it. The crowd was so friendly, nice, and wanting to help. I liked when we ran through the college areas because houses were tailgating outside and offering food & beer along with very loud encouragements. I enjoyed the coaches who ran the course and gave a friendly word of encouragement every time I came across one; even though I am not on their team for coaching. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the swag. I loved at the end of the race how we got finisher fleece blankets and hats. I can say that I would highly recommend this race and the swag was great!
Windy, not the best training season
I ran the half last year and signed up for this full the next day. The weather was a good temperature and dry, but very windy. You cross two long … MORE
I ran the half last year and signed up for this full the next day. The weather was a good temperature and dry, but very windy. You cross two long bridges around miles 7 and 17 and the wind was blowing directly in my face on both. The course is deceptively hilly but has a downhill finish the last .3 mile. I finished about 40 minutes slower than my PR, but that is mostly due to inconsistent training over the summer. Proud to say that the hometown race lives up to the World’s Friendliest Marathon moniker.
Run through History
Beautiful city to run through with history all around you. Large number participants make this feel like a party and there are plenty of spectators to cheer you on. Ending … MORE
Beautiful city to run through with history all around you. Large number participants make this feel like a party and there are plenty of spectators to cheer you on. Ending at Brown’s Island offers some of the best views of the James River and the City.
Great Race for a small city
RVA puts on a great race. It’s well organized, community support is awesome, the course is well planned and it’s pretty challenging in areas, especially through the park. The downhill … MORE
RVA puts on a great race. It’s well organized, community support is awesome, the course is well planned and it’s pretty challenging in areas, especially through the park. The downhill finish down 5th street is fun if you know what’s coming.
Well done
The half marathon and marathon by Richmond is on par with the Va Beach Shamrock as two of the best organized races that I have done. Expo was fine, tons … MORE
The half marathon and marathon by Richmond is on par with the Va Beach Shamrock as two of the best organized races that I have done. Expo was fine, tons of support from the crowd at beginning and through the Bellevue neighborhood. Largely flat other than the hills in Bryan Park. The hills really aren’t that bad. More of a problem at this juncture is that roughly a mile before the park and definitely in the park it becomes extremely congested. Hard to pass at this point some of the stragglers who overestimated their time. Either get out in front early or make up some of your time ince you exit the park. Course ends with an extreme downhill run for the last half mile. Some do not like this, but I definitely like the downhill run to end the race. When you cross you receive a blanket, runners cap, and medal. Tech shirt was ok as well so swag overall is well done. There is enough basic food and water at the end. Parking can be a bit iffy so arrive early-about two hours early. There are shuttle bases to take you to your vehicle, but I have never used them. I walk back 4-5 blocks to my car. Temp can vary at this time of year. This year it was perfect running weather, but previous year was cold as heck (car door lock was frozen when I got back from the race.
A great race as usual
Amazing course support coupled with great race organization. The race isn't the friendliest race for nothing. Race organizers will keep you informed adequately prior to the race. A blanket and … MORE
Amazing course support coupled with great race organization. The race isn’t the friendliest race for nothing.
Race organizers will keep you informed adequately prior to the race. A blanket and hat consisted of swag for 2018. The blanket is nice afterwards when it is usually a little chilly.
There is a significant downhill finish to be prepared for and is a lot of fun. It helps many with their BQ aspirations.
Come run it, you won’t be disappointed.
Hot day, fast pacer
I cannot blame the race for the temperature or the pacer taking the group out too fast. I faded but was able to set a then-PR. The downhill finish was … MORE
I cannot blame the race for the temperature or the pacer taking the group out too fast. I faded but was able to set a then-PR. The downhill finish was a chance for a fast finish. I would love to run this course again if I can fit it into my schedule.