Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon Start Times to Change
Start times for the three distances on November 11 have been updated
RICHMOND, VA – This November will mark the 46th running of the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon. Race weekend has become a beloved event in Richmond and draws thousands of visitors to the area as they participate in the full marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, and VCU Health Richmond 8k. Traditionally the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon race day has the VCU Health Richmond 8k starting first, followed by the CarMax Half Marathon, and finally the full marathon. In a continued effort to provide the best participant experience possible, Sports Backers, the event organizer, has made the decision to shuffle the race start times.
The schedule change will enable full marathoners to get on the course first, so they begin and finish earlier in the day. It will also enable participants to finish closer together and will add to the celebratory atmosphere at the CoStar Group Post Race Party on Brown’s Island. Lastly, the VCU Health Richmond 8k has traditionally started the earliest, although it is the shortest distance. Participants running and walking this event will gain additional time before heading down to the start, giving them the chance to send off friends in the full or half, before experiencing a livelier finish area themselves. The delay will also make it the perfect time frame to enjoy their post-race Papa John’s pizza and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery beer.
“Our thought is that by starting full marathoners first, we are able to ensure they finish sooner in the day than they have in the past, hopefully adding to why we are known as America’s Friendliest Marathon,” said Megan Schultz, Race Director for the event. “This decision was made after participant feedback and careful course and timing analysis and is in line with our desire to seek ways to better our overall participant experience.”
The new schedule is below:
7:00am – Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon starts
7:15am – CarMax Richmond Half Marathon starts
7:30am – VCU Health Richmond 8k starts
Thanks to the support of the community the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon has been dubbed ‘America’s Friendliest Marathon’. Sports Backers always strives to make this day as smooth as possible not only for the participants, but our community. Aside from the better experience for runners, this schedule change will also help Richmonders getting around on race day. Since the marathoners are starting earlier some roads along this course will reopen quicker, freeing up traffic. All three courses enjoy support from spectators and spirit groups who will now have the option to start their parties earlier before heading down to the finish area to celebrate with their loved ones.
The new start times will lead to slight modifications to the courses, but everything participants have come to know and expect on race day will remain the same. Participants can still expect a USATF-certified course, our renowned downhill finish line, and a relatively flat and fast course ideal for Boston-qualifying. We will reveal updated course maps in September. For more race info visit richmondmarathon.org.
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About Sports Backers
With a key message of Let’s Go, RVA, the mission of Sports Backers is to inspire people to live actively. A nonprofit organization, Sports Backers is dedicated to producing nationally recognized quality sporting events and programs that motivate residents and visitors alike to be more active, supporting youth running and fitness programs, and advocating for safe and connected networks of bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Learn more at sportsbackers.org.