Richmond Marathon Reviews

  Enjoyed the course

By MM about 2024

Review

I enjoyed the course. Miles 4 - 10 were great; cool neighborhoods, nice downhill to the river & running back along the banks was easy running. The hill on the bridge M15 - 18 caught my eye on elevation chart, but the tougher one was at M10 - 12. Coming back into the city was great, around M24 crowd support was really strong. The last 1.2M was exciting and fun. Awesome downhill finish! Enjoyed most everything about the day, except the water stations. They were not prepared at all. Many stations simply didn't have water and I was in top 20% or so of the pack. Finish area I didn't see a single race photo person - bummer.

Race Tips

Hills @ M10-12 are tougher than the bridge.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I stayed at the Hampton Inn on 7th street. Great location for start and finish walks. Dinner the night before I went to the Chef's Kitchen for pasta, nice spot. After the race many restaurants were not open. The downtown area was like a ghost town except for marathoners. Do not ever go to the Capitol Ale House - the absolute worst service I've ever had in my life. Sat in booth, ignored by staff and nearly 2 hours later we never got our food. HORRIBLE place. For a good bite and a beer after the race go to Secret Sandwich Society -great food, drink and the service was ideal.

  Excellent Support

By DB about 2024

Review

This race is a blast. The course is a good mix of urban, residential, urban again, with two scenic bridge crossings of the James River and some nice parks. The pace group (3:00) was right on schedule and ran nice and even. Fluid (water and Nuun endurance) every 2mi and every 1 mile after 20. The crowd support was excellent. That was probably my favorite part. The last 10K you run alongside Half marathoners who started 15min after you, but you each have your own lane, so you feel like you are flying if you can hold your pace on screaming legs. This was the third, the largest, and the most enjoyable marathon so far for me. The crowd will carry your spirit the final 10K if you let them.

Race Tips

Be mindful of the water tables if you're in a pace group. The congestion is serious and you may miss out on water if the runners in front of you have cleared the volunteers' hands. Consider mini surges to be just in front of the pace group at the aid stations, and then let the group swallow you again. In the pace group congestion, pot holes, manholes, cups, etc. can sneak up on you so watch your step! Don't be stupid and run the bridges solo. Tuck in with a group to shelter from the wind (if any). As segments, miles 1-5, 9-12, and 15-18 should be slower than your average pace due to climbing. If you train at all on hills, you shouldn't add more than 1% to your overall average pace compared to a pancake flat course.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Plan to be on broad street around 60min before gun time and you won't feel rushed. Bag check (3rd and Broad) was 2 blocks away from start line (1st and Broad). Portajohn lines are terrible 30min before start, so get your business done before that. For dining options: the west side of south Richmond has some good spots if you don't want to fight downtown.

  Perfect size, perfect course, perfect race!

By David about 2023

Review

This is a great event. The size is big enough to attract good crowds and allow for good course support, but you won't be lost in an overwhelming crowd. The course is fairly flat, with hills that are either not too long or not too steep. I like that it goes through natural settings by the river and also downtown Richmond several times during the course. The post-race party area is lively and fun. Overall, I think this is the perfect race!

Race Tips

Use the pace groups, they're very helpful. My strategy is to start 1 group behind your target pace, run with them for the first 1-2 miles, and then slowly make your way to your target pace group by around mile 13-19.

The long hill around mile 17 isn't as bad as I had feared. It's not steep, just try not to look too far ahead and focus on one step ahead of the next.

Enjoy the sights and crowds.

  Hot But Fun

By CDW about 2022

Review

For Context I ran the 1/2...

Obviously not the fault of the race organizers but this race was beyond hot (when you take humidity into consideration) which was something I could not train for. There was a tornado warning the day before due to the Tropical Storm pushing up from the south...it brought the heat.

Course is fairly flat. Some rolling hills (with one that was kind of a pain). The finish is really cool running downhill and looking towards the river. Water Stations could have used some work.

But to their "friendliest marathon" slogan...they were spot on. You get some good motivation and some good laughs along the way.

Would run again if I knew the weather would cooperate :).

Race Tips

Overall its flat so run a normal pace. Hope for good weather. Visualize strategy of water stations because they get backed up pretty good.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Downtown. Was perfect. 0.6 miles to start line which gave a good amount of time to stretch and do some pre-runs (the walk back kinda sucked though..). I ran with one-headphone in and was probably the best decision I could have made...lots of communication from course officials.

  Good, Fast Course

By TC about 2022

Review

This would typically be a great race to run a fast time. There are enough runners that you are always running with others but not so many that you are boxed in for most of the race. The course has a few rolling hills but nothing terrible. There is good crowd support. This year was very hot and there is almost no shade on the course so I had to adjust my finish time goal but that obviously wasn't the races fault. The day before there were tornado warnings so the clear day was welcomed. The expo was nothing special and actually disappointing. I would return and run again.

Race Tips

You can use whatever strategy you want at this race. The course is pretty flat with a few hills but none are very long and where I live there are zero hills to train on and they didn't bother me.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I suggest staying at the Delta Hotel by Marriott. It is an easy walk to the start and very near the finish.

  Unseasonably Hot but Great Race Support

By TK about 2022

Review

I think I could have enjoyed this race if it weren't so hot, humid, and sunny out. It was real killer. There are quite a few parts where you're just running on a blocked off road, and if it's an unseasonably hot day, then the sun will be beating down on you. The downhill after the 10k mark is lovely and that whole stretch until mile 10 or 11 when it starts going up again. There's an evil small hill at like mile 20 too. The downhill at the end is great though! And random huge cheering crowd at like mile 24, which was such a nice pick-up!

Race Tips

The half starts before the full and then they run on other side of the median on a road and you split off from them fairly early on. So you're never mixed in with those running the half. The course support was fantastic! The volunteers handing out water did a great job. There were people cheering almost along the entire course, even if it was just one or two people. I was very impressed. It was also easy for my parents and sister to get around cheer for me (around miles 5, 16, 24, 26)

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay anywhere downtown, and it will be super easy to walk to the start. Bag check was easy, no long line. There definitely needs to be more porta potties at the start. The expo was at the race track, and if you don't have a car, expect to wait a long time for a Lyft/Uber to pick up and be sure to tell them where to exactly go. Otherwise, bib and shirt pick-up is easy.

  Nice course!

By Tim about 2019

Review

Pros: I really enjoyed the varying course scenery. There was a nice mix of running through urban areas, and also secluded wooded areas. The start was simple, and the finish line was nice. The medal was unique. The water spots were plentiful and loved the pickle juice! Cons: I don't get the America's friendliest Marathon tagline because I found the spectators to be underwhelming, thought it was a cold windy day. I also thought the bathroom situation to be lacking. The swag was ok.

  Best crowd ever!!!

By ac about 2019

Review

Race was organized, course was great because it was relatively flat with a few hills to keep you on your toes. Loved the downhill finish. There were ample water stops and porta-johns. The fleece blanket at the end was wonderful.

Race Tips

Course can get windy especially on the bridge. The start is a little cold, but you warm up quickly.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

There are several hotels close to race start. We left 20 minutes before race start because we just had to walk 4 blocks.

  Great race

By Ds about 2017

Review

Fun race with great support on the course, enthusiastic crowds, good swag and medals, friendly atmosphere

  Great Course Support

By April about 2017

Review

This is a great course with lots of crowd support. The fall foliage is just spectacular and the swag abundant!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stay in a hotel downtown near the race start for an easy race morning.

  Great course, wonderful support, loved this race.

By MR about 2017

Review

I loved this marathon. The course was lovely, including a long peaceful stretch with the James River on the left and a woods on the right, and interesting variety in neighborhoods within Richmond. There were flat stretches but also plenty of hills, some fairly steep with the downhill on the other side as a reward, just enough hills to challenge you without leaving you feeling you couldn't deal with another one. The long, splendid downhill to the finish line, with a view of the river and the white tents at the end took away any fatigue and lightened the legs for an energetic finish. The spectators were lovely and the race was well supported, with lots of very friendly volunteers. The expo was also good with friendly, helpful people.

Race Tips

The half starts at pretty much the same time but at a different place and I made the mistake of just following a group as I left the hotel without looking at their bibs, then had to figure out why the corrals didn't make sense, and ended up sprinting to get to the marathon start once I figured out what I'd done. Probably most of you know better, but for scatterbrains like me, a word to the wise.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I suggest booking your hotel early, as soon as you register for the race, if you want to be sure to get any race-related discount. I waited a while and even though I booked pretty far in advance, some of the hotels were full and the one that still had the discount no longer had it for the night after the marathon.

  Friendly people and beautiful course! - 3x finisher

By Jenny about 2016

Review

It's a great course through Richmond, old town, by the river, all in the fall foliage. Lots of water and pit stops and very friendly runners and spectators.

Race Tips

Race day starts really cold usually. Bring a top layer that you can shed at the start line. All clothes left there are donated to homeless shelters.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Park close to the river as possible. You don't want to have to walk uphill to get back to your car. I like 14th and Canal parking garage.

  

By ARR about 2016

Review

The streets were lined with people cheering you on the whole way. The entire city becomes part of the marathon. It's very motivating. There is also a beautiful portion along the water. The con is that it is quite hilly. Expo was great and the people running were also very friendly.

Race Tips

Make sure you run hills as part of your training to be prepared for the hilly terrain.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Lots of breweries in the area to enjoy after race day

  

By ML about 2016

Review

Excellent course support and crowd support. Well organized and beautiful course during a time of year where that weather is on the colder side. My favorite.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Get your hotel a long time in advance!

  

By BMM about 2016

Review

This a great marathon with a supportive crowd. The pacers were helpful in providing a Boston qualifying pace from the beginning. The last big hill is at mile 19 and from there is flat and down hill. I would highly recommend this race.

Race Tips

Rolling course with nothing too extreme. Be smart at mile 14-16 when you cross the bridge back into the city. Its a steady uphill with a headwind most years.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Book a hotel walking distance to the race

  

By Dja about 2016

Review

Unconditionally, Richmond is the best kept secret in marathons. An absolutely wonderful course with at most only 4 miles of marginal course. Compare to philly, as example with about 12+ miles of crapulous course. Richmond is perfect size 4,500ish and has wonderful support and best chance of great weather for fall marathons. The city is a gem too for pre/post race fun.

  

By Dja about 2016

Review

Unconditionally, Richmond is the best kept secret in marathons. An absolutely wonderful course with at most only 4 miles of marginal course. Compare to philly, as example with about 12+ miles of crapulous course. Richmond is perfect size 4,500ish and has wonderful support and best chance of great weather for fall marathons. The city is a gem too for pre/post race fun.

  

By Anonymous about 2016

Review

I like the course and the wether has been great during my two marathons. The only bad thing is some of the roads are toll roads and the exit ramp is exact change only. Had to drive past and pull over and look for change. I wasn't the only one. A warning on the race site would help. It wasn't expensive but we didn't have any warning.

  

By Anonymous about 2016

  

By Anonymous about 2016

Review

Great crowd support, water/fuel. Nice course! Great pace groups. Not too crowded!

  

By Rob about 2016

Review

Rolling hills but not excessively difficult hills anywhere. The last half mile or so downhill to the finish is a marathoners dream! Water/Powerade abundant. Fruit around 20mile marker. A snack table with pretzels, M&Ms, gummies, etc. was a great treat. Plenty or portolets on the course. Did not know about the fleece throw until they handed it to me...wow, what a great thing to have! It was windy and cold to the blanket was perfect. I got my BQ here and I will definitely be back!

Race Tips

Hang out in the Marriott until 15-20 from start if it's cold. Run your own pace (my pace group seemed a little slow so I left it). The water and Powerade cups were almost the same color...it was hard to tell which was which (and yes, water was first, Powerade in back but you couldn't tell where the transition was). A different color cup would have made it much easier to locate what you were looking for ir even seperating the tables by 30-40 feet or so.

  

By Ht about 2015

Review

Its a fun marathon, well put on with a great course.

Race Tips

The course is very flat, don't worry about any hills.

  

By jm about 2015

  Great First Marathon Experience

By Aaron Riddle about 2014

Review

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!

  

By JK about 2014

Review

I loved the medal and the fleece blanket at the end, especially on a freezing cold day! They were out of a lot of the food when I finished (5:45) and it was too cold to wait for more.

Race Tips

The start was a little confusing, with the 8K going first, and then the half and full marathon starting out together on opposite sides of the road. Since the start lines for the 3 races aren't at the same place, you will see 3 different 1 mile mark signs and wonder what's wrong with your GPS. If you're doing the marathon, the first 1 mile marker sign is not for you. It also got confusing as I got to mile 19 and then saw a mile marker sign that said 3! The most scenic miles were miles 2-10, with the beautiful historic neighborhoods and running along the river. My least favorite miles were in the second half, when we follow the half marathon course. I found the last 3 miles to be utterly depressing -very industrial, kind of desolate. Also, when you turn the corner and they say the end is just down the hill -- it's actually down two hills, so don't get carried away!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Make post-race dinner reservations in advance. Omni hotel or Marriott hotel are easiest to stay at, logistically. The Tobacco Company Restaurant had fabulous desserts that I downed with no guilt!

  

By Chris about 2013

Review

A lot of friendly supporters along the run and with beautiful scenery along the river. Overall a very pretty run.

Race Tips

The course didn't have many steep hills but did have rolling hills. The segments with downhill running are somewhat drastic but nothing to make it very difficult.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I arrived an hour ahead of time and there are numerous parking garages in the immediate are that you can utilize. I had plenty of time to get to the start line