Sports Backers’ newest event, the Virginia Credit Union River City Half & 5K, is a chance to celebrate Richmond beyond the downtown city streets. Watch nature wake from its winter slumber and take in the early signs of spring in Virginia as you run over and along the James River, …
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Sports Backers’ newest event, the Virginia Credit Union River City Half & 5K, is a chance to celebrate Richmond beyond the downtown city streets. Watch nature wake from its winter slumber and take in the early signs of spring in Virginia as you run over and along the James River, through well-established neighborhoods and outdoor gems like Pony Pasture, and start and finish on the gorgeous campus of the University of Richmond. You’ll not only accomplish a personal goal but will also support Sports Backers nonprofit goal of building a vibrant community!
Participants in the Virginia Credit Union River City Half will pass through the beautiful campus, run over the Huguenot Bridge and alongside the James River, passing through outdoor gems like Riverside Meadows and Pony Pasture before making their way to Forest Hill Avenue. From there, runners will be challenged to make a steep climb in the Westover Hills neighborhood, but the views of the iconic “Million Dollar View” bridge promise to be worth the effort! Participants will then head left on the Nickel bridge to cross the James River once more before running past the historic Carillon, through the well-established neighborhoods of Windsor Farms and along River Road, before finishing back on the Top Ranked “Most Beautiful Campus” of the University of Richmond.
The beautiful 5k course will lead participants through campus and along River Road before running out and back on the Huguenot Bridge. After soaking in spectacular river views, participants will return toward campus along the Gambles Mill Corridor and finish near Westhampton Lake.
Richmond is gorgeous and we can’t wait to show it off like never before! Both the half and 5K course are rich in architecture, lush foliage, river views, and more! If you’re lucky, you might even spot a Bald Eagle nesting along the river! Plus, in true Sports Backers fashion, we promise amazing swag and a finish line celebration for the books!
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Beautiful course on a beautiful day
Course takes you over and along the scenic James River and through various neighborhoods. Be ready for a couple of climbs that will test your fitness. Great support at multiple … MORE
Course takes you over and along the scenic James River and through various neighborhoods. Be ready for a couple of climbs that will test your fitness. Great support at multiple SAGS and cheering sections throughout the course. The start and finish at the University of Richmond are well organized.
Beautiful route, great production
Flat to rolling throughout, with a couple of climbs and descents since you cross the river both ways. Water stations abundant. Crowd support just right. MORE
Flat to rolling throughout, with a couple of climbs and descents since you cross the river both ways. Water stations abundant. Crowd support just right.
Toll Booth Turbo Boost
Are you a Richmond runner? This is an opportunity to run some of the best, most scenic areas in RVA with roads completely closed to traffic. Visiting? Truly a beautiful … MORE
Are you a Richmond runner? This is an opportunity to run some of the best, most scenic areas in RVA with roads completely closed to traffic. Visiting? Truly a beautiful course, and fun way to see river-centric parts of Richmond by foot. Looking for a race with an awesome finish line party? You found it!
Of course, like all the other reviews will say, it is a very hilly, challenging course. The neighborhoods along the course showed up to cheer, and the race was well-supported by volunteers and police to direct traffic. Love the finisher tote bags!
Some of my favorite memories include alien spectators by Pony Pasture; the views running up Riverside Drive; running across the Nickel Bridge when it is closed to traffic; the decorations, support, and turbo boost portals through the toll booths; and running down Cary Street as you approach the home stretch.
Love this race!
I highly recommend this race! The course is beautiful with views of the river, beautiful homes, bridges and a gorgeous university. It does have some hills but nothing horrible and … MORE
I highly recommend this race! The course is beautiful with views of the river, beautiful homes, bridges and a gorgeous university. It does have some hills but nothing horrible and there are just as many down hills and flats. The pre race packet pick up is a little out of the way but they offer pick up race morning to avoid this.
Beautiful course, tough hills
Beautiful, but challenging course that started and finished on the University of Richmond campus and ran along the James River. The race was very well organized, from the pre-race communications, … MORE
Beautiful, but challenging course that started and finished on the University of Richmond campus and ran along the James River. The race was very well organized, from the pre-race communications, through packet pickup, the race and post-race festivities. Plenty of free parking was available on the campus and there were a number of hotels within a 15 min drive of the campus. Once the race started, the course was well marked and there were plenty of water stations and volunteers along the course. The hills from mile 5 through mile 9 were pretty challenging, but then we had some nice downhill sections over the last three miles. Richmond is known for holding very good races and River City didn’t disappoint!
See the hill? Take the hill!!!
It's hilly, beautiful and supportive, you'll never feel alone on this course and the miles will fly by. Everyone is incredibly friendly and the water stations are chef's kiss! Fun, … MORE
It’s hilly, beautiful and supportive, you’ll never feel alone on this course and the miles will fly by. Everyone is incredibly friendly and the water stations are chef’s kiss! Fun, fun and more fun!!!!
Beautiful Race That’s Run Smoothly
The scenery was great and race information/communication was very helpful. I was ready and had no surprises on the day of the race. The incentives were good and I enjoyed … MORE
The scenery was great and race information/communication was very helpful. I was ready and had no surprises on the day of the race. The incentives were good and I enjoyed seeing the people cheering us on along the course
13 miles of hills, beautiful scenery
The river city marathon is a very challenging and beautiful course. It was 13 miles of hills, so prepare your quads for this race. The rave is very well organized … MORE
The river city marathon is a very challenging and beautiful course. It was 13 miles of hills, so prepare your quads for this race. The rave is very well organized and the course had plenty of water stops. The post race festival was also a lot of fun.
Train for HILLS!
Race starts & finishes on the beautiful campus of the University of Richmond. Very scenic course. The hills can be challenging but train on hills and you will be just … MORE
Race starts & finishes on the beautiful campus of the University of Richmond. Very scenic course. The hills can be challenging but train on hills and you will be just fine. I completed the inaugural year and couldn’t wait to come back in 2025. Overall, this is a great race production.
Very beautiful amd very difficult course
This race is very well run and organized. The course crosses the James River via 2 different bridges, meanders along the river for a bit, and starts and finishes on … MORE
This race is very well run and organized. The course crosses the James River via 2 different bridges, meanders along the river for a bit, and starts and finishes on the gorgeous University of Richmond campus. The first 4 miles are flat and includes downhills while the last 9 seemed to be all uphill, with many hills being significant in incline as well as in length. Positive course support along the way and a fun finish line party, which includes a slice of pizza, 2 drink tickets, and a finishers tote bag to keep the few snack items distributed post race. If you’re looking for a very challenging, hilly, and beautiful race, this half marathon is for you!
River City Runtastic
Everything is great about this race! The swag, scenery, post-race celebration and most importantly the course. While the hills are there - the wonderful, cheering fans will remind you - … MORE
Everything is great about this race! The swag, scenery, post-race celebration and most importantly the course. While the hills are there – the wonderful, cheering fans will remind you – when else do you have toll booth messages made for runners. We love this race
Don't miss this race!
This is an absolutely gorgeous course with a few hills sprinkled in to make it a little challenging! The views make it all worth it! Will definitely be signing up … MORE
This is an absolutely gorgeous course with a few hills sprinkled in to make it a little challenging! The views make it all worth it! Will definitely be signing up for year 3!
RCHM - Stunning Views & Solid Brews
It’s such a beautiful course and the support staff was great. Hardywood 🍺 is a great sponsor! Excited for the potential growth of the race given the adjustments they made … MORE
It’s such a beautiful course and the support staff was great. Hardywood 🍺 is a great sponsor! Excited for the potential growth of the race given the adjustments they made from year 1 to year 2 – the festival at the finish line was expanded and the weather couldn’t have been better for the experience! First year was my first half and met my goal of sub 2-hours. Ran with my daughters this year and it was an AWESOME experience. Grateful for the RCHM!!!
Lovely scenery
Great up and coming race, decent swag, amazing scenery along the course. Needs more of its own tone/atmosphere, which I trust will develop over time. I’ll be there next year. … MORE
Great up and coming race, decent swag, amazing scenery along the course. Needs more of its own tone/atmosphere, which I trust will develop over time. I’ll be there next year.
Beautiful, friendly RVA Race
This race starts and finishes on the beautiful University of Richmond campus. The post race party had music, vendors, snacks, and beer, which could all be enjoyed next to a … MORE
This race starts and finishes on the beautiful University of Richmond campus. The post race party had music, vendors, snacks, and beer, which could all be enjoyed next to a scenic lake. Runners should plan on where to park because the start line parking is about a 15 min walk from the finish line parking. The race medal is very classy and high quality. I would do this race over and over.
Challenging course with stunning views
This course was the most beautiful half marathon course I have ever ran. It will challenge you but it’s worth every second for the gorgeous views. The post party after … MORE
This course was the most beautiful half marathon course I have ever ran. It will challenge you but it’s worth every second for the gorgeous views. The post party after the race was so well organized and had lots to offer. Definitely will be doing this half every year now! Thanks for a wonderful event sports backers!
Great Spring Race
Very organized race with a nice, paved course. Not a huge amount of crowd support, but it is a newer race. I do wish the shirts would be offered in … MORE
Very organized race with a nice, paved course.
Not a huge amount of crowd support, but it is a newer race. I do wish the shirts would be offered in female sizing — they’re pretty large.
Beautiful Course
Beautiful route but a pretty challenging course. Very hilly. The river views were gorgeous. This was the second year holding this race and I would love to see more crowd … MORE
Beautiful route but a pretty challenging course. Very hilly. The river views were gorgeous.
This was the second year holding this race and I would love to see more crowd support and cheer sections. Maybe more bands too! Overall a great race!
🥇 Half - cold & wet…
Great work by Sports Backers and the race sponsors to pull together a first time event on a less than ideal day. A cold and drizzling rain made for a … MORE
Great work by Sports Backers and the race sponsors to pull together a first time event on a less than ideal day. A cold and drizzling rain made for a challenging first half marathon for me and the spirits of all participants and volunteers was awesome. My daughter and I signed up within a week for the second running! Loved it!
Great course scenery
Challenging course with several hills, however, it is a nice way to get around Richmond City and it is a mostly beautiful area of town to run. MORE
Challenging course with several hills, however, it is a nice way to get around Richmond City and it is a mostly beautiful area of town to run.