C. Veronica Younce's Staging Area

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.