A lot has changed about the Anthem Richmond Marathon over the past 41 years, but our dedication to offering you the best race experience possible remains the same. No matter which distance you choose, when you run Richmond, you’ll receive VIP treatment! With thousands of volunteers and spectators encouraging you, …
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A lot has changed about the Anthem Richmond Marathon over the past 41 years, but our dedication to offering you the best race experience possible remains the same. No matter which distance you choose, when you run Richmond, you’ll receive VIP treatment! With thousands of volunteers and spectators encouraging you, and more race perks that you can count, you’ll see why we’ve earned our rep as “America’s Friendliest Marathon” (thanks, Runner’s World)!
Each of our scenic courses showcases some of our city’s favorite attributes. With street art and river views, historic architecture and beautiful parks, our race routes treat runners to a unique and unforgettable tour of RVA that ends with a grand finale finish line and post-race party on the riverfront!
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 and wet wash cloths! Once you cross the finish line, you’ll be greeted by a well-earned celebration on Brown’s Island complete with pizza and a Sierra Nevada Beer on the house!
Take some time to revel in your accomplishment, but don’t let your Richmond experience end there. It’s our birthday, so let’s keep the party going! No matter if you’re a local or from out of town, there’s a whole city to explore!
Run Richmond once and you, too, will know why we’re “America’s Friendliest Marathon!”
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A great marathon choice
The crowd support was amazing. The views were lovely. The coaches of the training program would run up and down the course checking on everyone, even those who weren’t in … MORE
The crowd support was amazing. The views were lovely. The coaches of the training program would run up and down the course checking on everyone, even those who weren’t in the group. If you need something, they will most likely have it on them. They even called you by name. They were the best! Plenty of water stops and the junk food was great.
Lives up to "Friendliest Marathon"
Traveled from Florida with friends for this marathon. Good Expo with a nice mix of vendors. Loved having a free bus tour of the course on the day before the … MORE
Traveled from Florida with friends for this marathon. Good Expo with a nice mix of vendors. Loved having a free bus tour of the course on the day before the race. We had two wonderful “tour guides” that provided course insight as well as a bit of local history and information. Race day was festive and the atmosphere at the starting line was upbeat. The marathon started right on time and there was plenty of space so no one felt crowded. The course traveled through beautiful areas of Richmond with a great mix of residential and wooded areas. Our favorite sections of the course were the stretch along the river and the downhill run to the finish line. This was a well organized and executed race. One of my favorites of the 30+ that I have run.
Great Scenery and environment
I've ran the half and now full marathon in Richmond, VA. The scenery is so beautiful, running through the river. The crowd is so friendly and supportive. The organization is … MORE
I’ve ran the half and now full marathon in Richmond, VA. The scenery is so beautiful, running through the river. The crowd is so friendly and supportive. The organization is majestic and the registration fees are cheaper than other races. People in Richmond is very friendly, no wonder why its called the “Friendliest marathon in North America”.
Loved it and will run it again
Very beautiful course and not to difficult. A little windy but otherwise nice running weather. The support and volunteers on the course were amazing. MORE
Very beautiful course and not to difficult. A little windy but otherwise nice running weather. The support and volunteers on the course were amazing.
Great First Race
This was my first organized race other than a 5k I walked with my kids and I did the half marathon. The course is very flat with a downhill finish … MORE
This was my first organized race other than a 5k I walked with my kids and I did the half marathon. The course is very flat with a downhill finish ( don’t try to go too fast or you might face plant). I was able to finish with a five minute faster time than my fastest training run on an indoor track. There were a lot of encouraging spectators and funny signs. The course takes you through VCU campus, around the Diamond, and through Bryan Park before taking you back to the finish at Tredegar. There were a lot of water stations and an energy gel station. I think there was a junk food station too, but I was too focused on running that I missed it. Finishers get a hat, medal, blanket, ton of food, and a free beer. Weather was pretty mild, I think it was around 40 at race start and there was some wind. I liked it so much I signed up for the full next year.
Great scenery and encouraging spectators
The course does have a few hills that participants may not expect but the encouragement powers you through it. The downhill finish was amazing! MORE
The course does have a few hills that participants may not expect but the encouragement powers you through it. The downhill finish was amazing!
Such a great race I ran it twice!!
I ran Richmond in 2017 to check off my bucket list for running a marathon and I fell love!!! The course was fantastic. The perfect combination of scenery and city … MORE
I ran Richmond in 2017 to check off my bucket list for running a marathon and I fell love!!! The course was fantastic. The perfect combination of scenery and city scape. It truly is the friendliest course, with residents playing music, cheering us on in ALL the neighborhoods, and lots of fun party stops. This year I signed up for a virtual coaching experience and got way more out of it than I paid for! This race fueled a passion for running I didn’t know existed. I would recommend that anyone in the area and anyone traveling from a far distance to sign up for this race. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, in addition to the medal and swag at the end, the pizza and Sierra Nevada beer at the downhill finish is the best way to end the race!!!
Great Race
In the last 10 years, I’ve done all three distances this race offers, completing the marathon this year (2018). It’s a wonderful race, but the thing I remember most is … MORE
In the last 10 years, I’ve done all three distances this race offers, completing the marathon this year (2018). It’s a wonderful race, but the thing I remember most is that you never feel alone during the scenic race. Spectators cheer you on throughout the entire race (even bridges) and the last miles are downhill. There is constant race support and the finish line is well organized with lots of great swag. If you are used to hills, the rolling hills are no big deal. Great race.
Flat course with a downhill finish = PR!
- Very flat course for a half marathon. Only two or three very minor inclines. Wide streets most of the time, though it got a little tight in the park. … MORE
– Very flat course for a half marathon. Only two or three very minor inclines. Wide streets most of the time, though it got a little tight in the park.
– Crowd support was thin early on, but great at the end. Local residents set up their own aid stations including beer! 🙂
– Great aid stations including pickle juice, energy gel, gummy bears.
– Downhill and scenic finish was awesome. Incredible feeling.
– Post-race party was great. Free brew from Sierra Nevada.
– Expo was boring- just get in and out.
– If you can stay downtown, I highly recommend it. Parking and traffic pre/post race can be a headache.
– 2018 weather was great: sunny and 42 with a light breeze. The race collects and donates discarded gear, so consider wearing some old clothes to the starting line as it’s totally in the shade.
Run RVA- you’ll love it!
Great race and great swag
I entered this race to help a friend that I met through a running group on Facebook finish his first marathon. I figured I could help a brother out and … MORE
I entered this race to help a friend that I met through a running group on Facebook finish his first marathon. I figured I could help a brother out and check off another state on my way to 50. He had told me that he wanted to shoot for a 5 hour finish but the hills took a toll on his IT band so we had to take that last half pretty slow. I am typically a 3:30-3:45 pace runner but running at this slower pace gave me a chance to truly enjoy all the extras like the junk food stops and such. This race was a fun one and the participation of the community and volunteers was second to none. We even picked up a straggler along the way and helped her finish her first marathon as well. After crossing the finish line we were given the medal, a nice warm blanket and a finisher’s hat.
Beautiful weather and scenery
Awesome volunteers at the aid stations and great supporting fans. Snacks along the course including beer and pickle juice! Flawless event from Start to Finish with a cozy blanket after … MORE
Awesome volunteers at the aid stations and great supporting fans. Snacks along the course including beer and pickle juice! Flawless event from Start to Finish with a cozy blanket after crossing the finish line.
Well done, Richmond!
I ran this race yesterday (Sat, 11/10/2018). It was my 23rd marathon but first time running this one. This was also my third marathon in three months so I ran … MORE
I ran this race yesterday (Sat, 11/10/2018). It was my 23rd marathon but first time running this one. This was also my third marathon in three months so I ran this one “for fun” and wasn’t concerned about my finish time.
Expo:
They ran a free and frequent shuttle bus from downtown to the expo – very much appreciated! They offered a free bus tour of the course which I found worthwhile and helpful. Upon return I went to the expo that was well attended with vendors. I picked up my bib at the expo. After browsing around I found they had another aisle where drop bags and shirts were given out. If I hadn’t stumbled upon it, I wouldn’t have gotten those things. It seemed a little odd to me the bibs and shirts weren’t collocated. On the shuttle ride to the expo I learned from another runner there was a 3 mile shakeout run downtown earlier that Friday morning that I missed. I didn’t see that in the events calendar else I would have gone.
Race:
Race start was fine. There were ample water stops and restrooms along the course. Later in the course there were two junk food stops that I recall:
I noticed Skittles, gummi bears, M&Ms (plain and peanut). Great volunteers throughout! Cheer zones were well attended and did themselves proud! The route was mostly asphalt with cement on bridges obviously. The course had variety with hills, flats, neighborhoods, mansions, roads along the river, and the long bridge into Richmond. The day I ran temps were mid 40s with a 10-20 mph wind from the north which was unpleasant, though I felt I was sufficiently dressed for it. Finally the last ~0.5+ mile of the race is downhill that I admittedly grimaced through because my legs were beat.
Once you cross the finish line you are given a finisher hat and the fleece blanket. The food tent was fine. Entertainment was good. At the massage tent I waited an hour before my turn, but it was worth it. Thank you to the student volunteers who worked there!
All in all it was a good course and a well-planned event. I recommend it.
I'll be back!
I really enjoyed this race. I ended up going down solo, but had a good time. The expo was nice and organized. There are a good number of hotels with … MORE
I really enjoyed this race. I ended up going down solo, but had a good time. The expo was nice and organized. There are a good number of hotels with convenient access to stores, downtown, and the race. I thought the course was organized and very nice, volunteers were upbeat and did a good job, and the swag was excellent.
Note to participants, have cash for the parking garages near the start/finish. Traffic is a nightmare getting to them and most of them do not take cards.
Great First Marathon Experience
This was the first marathon I ever ran and it was a great first-time experience. Having never even been to a marathon race before, I had no expectations going in. … MORE
This was the first marathon I ever ran and it was a great first-time experience. Having never even been to a marathon race before, I had no expectations going in. I spent the night in Richmond, VA the day before and visited the expo that evening to pickup my bib and packet. The expo was very large with many vendors. If I recall correctly it was held at an athletic facility so there was ample parking.
For the start of the race I parked on a side street a mile or so from the start. I did not have any problems finding a place to park. That morning it was rather chilly and I remember the starting line being full of runners (again this was my first experience running any type of marathon, and the Richmond Marathon is a rather larger one).
The course and race itself were terrific. They call it “America’s Friendliest Marathon” and it lived up to the name. The course takes you from downtown Richmond through surrounding suburbs, across the river, through parks, and around and back into the city. Rarely is there no support along the course. Through the communities people come out to cheer on the runners, and at most mile markers there is either a DJ playing music or some type of live band. I remember the aid stations offering a variety of fuel as well.
I’m not sure if the course is still the same as when I ran it in 2012, but it ended with a good downhill portion which can help if you are looking to set a PR. The post-race area was very large and offered some nice food and beverages.
The Richmond Marathon was a wonderful first-time marathon experience for me and I would highly recommend it due to the easy course, organization, and awesome crowd support!
Great Race
As a first time visitor to Richmond, the race did a great job taking us through different and unique parts of the city. A great charity, very well run with … MORE
As a first time visitor to Richmond, the race did a great job taking us through different and unique parts of the city. A great charity, very well run with lots of volunteers who made you feel welcome – had a blast.
great city, sweet race
visiting from australia and was looking for a big small city race. richmond was recommended and didn’t disappoint. we caught the amtrak down from new york and stayed at an … MORE
visiting from australia and was looking for a big small city race. richmond was recommended and didn’t disappoint. we caught the amtrak down from new york and stayed at an airb&b just away from the city centre. big mistake, pay what it costs and stay near the start/finish area. we had big problems getting from the expo to our accom and then from our accom to the race start with uber letting us down big time……the expo was so so. get in, get your bib and get out. as I said we had big problems getting to the start line and ending up hearing the gun go while we were in a neighbouring street getting our clothes off and into running kit. it was freezing for the 2017 edition. don’t know if this is usual, but layer up. once we got going the race opened up pretty quickly. if I remember less than 5000 competitors, so not super crazy and nice friendly runners that allowed me through. nice local sights and amazing scenery down by the river. good volunteers and vocal, if small, course support. I liked richmond a lot. it just had a feel about it. you knew you were welcome and the finish was unreal…..a big downhill and open parklands for a great after party. good cash and prizes, I liked the blanket, medal and post race atmosphere. I also ran a three minute pr…..would I recommend richmond ? hell yeah….
Race worth your time & money
This is a home town race for me so no travelling but I hear the hotels downtown really cater to the runners. They even let the runners not staying there … MORE
This is a home town race for me so no travelling but I hear the hotels downtown really cater to the runners. They even let the runners not staying there hang out in the lobbies prior to race start. Which is awesome because that weekend can be pretty cold.
Plenty of water stops with tons of volunteers. Junk food, coke stops and bands along the route as well. Views along the course are good; city views and river views. Love it.
SportsBackers does a bus tour of the course, which is nice, especially for out of towners.
SportsBackers uses corrals to start to keep the race from being too congested. The amount of time between is perfect. You never feel claustrophobic or overcrowded. Bathrooms along the course are my only negative, if you really want to call it a negative. There are portapotties and within plenty of spaces. There just did not seem to be enough at each stop. About half a mile in there is a row of like 20 portapotties & you think “Wow, this is a great sign!” So my message to you, if you have to go then go and hope you won’t need to the remaining 25+ miles because the rest of the stops don’t have anywhere near that many. Lines were long, too.
The swag: the swag is pretty high up there on the “you will actually use these items” list. If you run the half or full you get a fleece blanket and medal. This year due to the 40th anniversary, you got a nice red aluminum cup. Also one randomly selected marathon medal had a real ruby. Sadly, it wasn’t me.
Last thing that I love about this race is the PR Bell & Boston qualifying prize. They have a bell set up that you can ring if your run was a PR. Also, if you qualify for Boston (they verify times) and you receive a prize of some sort. [can’t tell you what it is because I am not fast enough.]
Highly recommend this event!
A must do for any half marathoner
This race is touted as the friendliest half marathon in the country and it just may be! The community support was tremendous. I have never seen so many locals come … MORE
This race is touted as the friendliest half marathon in the country and it just may be! The community support was tremendous. I have never seen so many locals come out to cheer on a race. From the start to the finish, there were people with signs, making noise, and handing out treats to the runners. The post-race celebration was amazing: great food, music, and they even gave out blankets, which were a welcome sight on such a cold day. Well organized and fun, I would definitely run this one again.
Friendly and well organized
This is my local marathon but I've only run it once. It's very well organized, and feels like a much larger event than it really is in the sense that … MORE
This is my local marathon but I’ve only run it once. It’s very well organized, and feels like a much larger event than it really is in the sense that it’s got lots of crowd support and on-course volunteers. The route is pretty scenic for a city race, running through some cool spots around Richmond and the James River. The t-shirt was long sleeve and technical, which I love, and the medal was nice and high quality. The weather that year poured rain just before the start, but ended up being pleasant. The finish is downhill and it’s fun to hang out and cheer in the other runners. It’s a good Virginia option, especially if you can’t get in to Marine Corps, which is a different type of race altogether. Logistically, there are lots of hotels, restaurants, and parking areas for out of towners. My only complaint the year I ran it was that traffic to get into and out of the expo was ridiculous, though the expo itself was very good.
Yes, Friendly but it's also Beautiful!
Friendly - definitely lives up to the billing there! Neighborhoods came out and cheered throughout the 26 miles which was fabulous! Folks had boxes of tissues, leftover Halloween candy, and … MORE
Friendly – definitely lives up to the billing there! Neighborhoods came out and cheered throughout the 26 miles which was fabulous! Folks had boxes of tissues, leftover Halloween candy, and shots 🙂 . Tons of music entertainment, never boring!
But, it was also a beautiful course! Running down historical Monument Ave was beautiful, and then running along the gorgeous river with Fall Foliage!
Packet pick up a breeze and the Expo was a nice sized, fun one that was easy to get to and park at! Swag at the end appreciated too 🙂
Getting there easy – parked within 2 blocks of race start about 45 min before race start and then hung out in a hotel lobby staying warm. No sweat!