Training Team
Running a marathon is tough enough. Throw in the training, and you’ve got yourself quite a challenge. Good thing we’re ready to take it on with you! With the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, you’ll find yourself not just equipped with a detailed 23-week program, but a great crew of experienced coaches and inspirational teammates as well. One of our favorite perks? A dedicated SAG team that supports the longer group runs. That’s right… water stops, PowerAde and gummy bears while you TRAIN. So let Richmond’s running community carry you to 26.2… when you hit that final stretch at the Nov. 10 SunTrust Richmond Marathon, you’ll be glad you didn’t go it alone!
| Through May 25 | $145 |
| May 26 – June 17 | $160 |
Please Note:
You do not need to attend a meeting in order to join the program.
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Anthem Health & Fitness Expo for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k (Arthur Ashe Athletic Center) | Thursday, March 29 | 12 & 6 p.m. |
| Anthem Health & Fitness Expo for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k (Arthur Ashe Athletic Center) | Friday, March 30 | 12 & 6 p.m. |
| Stay tuned for more locations, dates and times! | ||
* During registration, you may select Saturday or Sunday for your group runs. There is a limit of 700 participants for the Saturday sessions and 300 participants for the Sunday sessions.
The first day (Saturday, June 2 or Sunday, June 3), there will be a brief introductory meeting at 7:30 a.m. followed by a group run. The following week, Saturday groups will head out between 7-7:30 a.m. (depending on your team) and all Sunday groups will go off at 7 a.m. From early July until Labor Day, start times will be 30 minutes earlier to beat the summer heat.
Veteran marathon training team coach, Don Garber, will again lead the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team. He has helped thousands of first-time marathoners successfully complete the 26.2-mile distance in races around the country and overseas, including the past ten SunTrust Richmond Marathons. Most of the coaches who have assisted Don in prior years will also be returning.
Throughout the 23-week program, some local races may be used as training runs. These races may require additional entry fees and will be optional.
Is 26.2 a little much? We also offer a Half Marathon Training Team to train for the McDonald’s Half Marathon, a companion race of the Nov. 10 SunTrust Richmond Marathon. The 14-week program will begin August 4 and has the same great support system as the full training team.
(If you register for the Marathon Training Team and then decide to switch to the Half Marathon Training Team, you may do so for a $10 fee.)
Entry Confirmation click here
Sports Backers Stadium
100 Avenue of Champions
Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23230