Sports Backers Half Marathon
Training Team
August 10 - November 16, 2013

It turns out one really is the loneliest number… especially when you’re training for a half marathon. So join up with other motivated runners as you embark on a 14-week program that prepares you for the Nov. 16 American Family Fitness Half Marathon, a companion race of the Anthem Richmond Marathon. Our training teams have an incredible corps of experienced coaches, as well as dedicated SAG support for those long Saturday or Sunday runs, and we even offer informational clinics to keep you up-to-date on the latest in gear, nutrition, injury prevention and more. Did we mention this might be the coolest way to meet people in Richmond? Okay, so we don’t have proof, but we can guarantee you’ll end up with a few more pals than you had before.

Here is what some of last year’s participants had to say about the program:

“HMTT was an amazing experience and I could never have met my goal without the team! LOVE it and will DEFINITELY be a returning team member!”
- Laura Schreffler

“The training program gave me what I was looking for – a structured, tried (and proven successful) program that would help me stay accountable to a plan.”
- Wayne Slough

“I really loved the family feeling about the training team. Although there were so many people, you never felt lost.”
- Theresa Gray

 

Cost

Through July 31 $135
August 1-24 $150

Cost Includes:

  • 14-week training program (begins Saturday, Aug. 10 or Sunday, Aug. 11) with a detailed written schedule.
  • Personal guidance from a team of experienced coaches.
  • Organized and supported group runs each Saturday or Sunday
  • Teams built around experience and ability, so you’re running with others of similar pace.
  • Sports Backers HMTT t-shirt and technical race shirt.
  • 2013 American Family Fitness Half Marathon entry and all associated race benefits (including participant shirt).
  • Access to clinics on nutrition, running attire and other related topics.

Registration

  • Online through Saturday, August 24.
  • Sign up in person at one of the informational meetings listed below.
  • Print out an entry form and mail it in with payment.

Please Note:

  • Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, no exceptions.
  • Already signed up for the half marathon and want to participate in the training team? No problem! Send a check made out to Sports Backers for the difference in price between the training team fee and your half marathon entry fee you’ve paid for the event. Just indicate if you'd like to do your Group Run on Saturday or Sunday, if you’d like to train with the novice or intermediate group, your typical pace/mile and your most recent 10k time.
  • Once you have registered for the training team, there will be no refund of entry fees if you are unable to complete the program.
  • If you choose to run the HCA Virginia 8k, rather than the American Family Fitness Half Marathon, you will be charged the event’s standard $10 fee to switch races.
  • All training team fees must be received by August 24 in order to participate in the program.

 

Schedule

Informational Meetings

You do not need to attend a meeting in order to join the program.

Location Date Time
West End American Family Fitness Wed, July 10 6:30 p.m.
Sports Backers Stadium Thurs, July 11 6:30 p.m.
West End American Family Fitness Tues, July 16 6:30 p.m.
Sports Backers Stadium Tues, July 23 6 p.m.
Midlothian American Family Fitness Thurs, July 25 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday Group Runs Offered

You have the option to do your Group Runs on Saturday or Sunday mornings from City Stadium. Please indicate your preference on the entry form. There is a limit of 800 participants in the Saturday group run sessions and a limit of 400 participants in the Sunday group run sessions. The first group runs will be Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11. There will be a short introductory meeting beginning at 8 a.m. followed by our first group run. Beginning the following week, starting times will change depending on team assignments. You will receive emails updating you on your start times.

Requirements

  • You should be able to comfortably finish three miles (primarily running) prior to the start of training.
  • The American Family Fitness Half Marathon has a 4-hour time limit, which would require running a good portion of the 13.1 miles.
  • There is no “walking” group for the training team.
  • You must be 18 years or older to join the team.

Head Coach

Veteran coach Ro Gammon will again lead the Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team. Ro has been the popular head coach of the Half Marathon Training Team since its inception and for the Midlothian YMCA 10k Training Team since 2001. She also served as a Marathon Training Team coach for 8 years. She is a certified personal trainer and running coach and has served as an Educator and Coach in the Powhatan School System for 34 years.

Register ONLINE
through August 24

Entry Confirmation click here

Don't want to register online?
Print out an entry form and mail it in.

When

Sat, August 10, 2013

Where

City Stadium

3201 Maplewood Ave.

Richmond, VA 23221