“America’s Friendliest Marathon” Gets a New Finish Line

Course Updates Coming to the Allianz Richmond Marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, and Capital One Richmond 8k

RICHMOND, VA – “America’s Friendliest Marathon” is giving its finish line a fresh new home. On Saturday, Nov. 14, runners in the Allianz Richmond Marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, and Capital One Richmond 8k will cross a new finish line at Byrd and 5th Streets.

The new location creates a longer, more spacious finish chute and opens up the CoStar Group Post Race Party, giving runners room to savor the moment they’ve trained for and celebrate with the people who helped get them there.

Once through the chute, runners will exit onto 7th Street where they will be directed toward the riverfront, where the new designated meeting area is on Tredegar, making it easier to find friends and family. Nearby, shuttles will run back to the start area, while the CoStar Group Post Race Party on the newly renovated Brown’s Island, Historic Tredegar, and the Richmond Riverfront will keep the celebration rolling.

“If you’ve ever run down 5th Street with the river ahead and the crowd roaring, you know that feeling stays with you,” said Meghan Keogh, race director. “That downhill finish is a big part of what makes this race so special, and although slightly shorter, it’s not going anywhere. What changes is everything after it: more space to finish strong, soak it in, and celebrate on Richmond’s Riverfront. We can’t wait for everyone to experience it this year, and to build on it for our 50th running next year.”

To accommodate changes to the finish line, all distances will have new start lines and minor course adjustments.

On Broad Street, the Allianz Richmond Marathon will start between Third and Fourth Street, the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon will start at Eighth and Broad, and the Capital One Richmond 8k will start between Sixth and Seventh Street.

Half marathoners will find a new twist on their course, too. After exiting Bryan Park, they’ll turn left onto Hermitage and continue to Princeton Road before reuniting with marathoners on Pope Avenue. Half marathoners will continue to the out-and-back on Lorraine Ave before reuniting again with marathoners on Crestwood, sharing the road the rest of the way to the finish. Sports Backers has notified residents along the updated route.

The Capital One Richmond 8k gets a more straightforward route. Instead of turning left at Mulberry from Broad Street, they will continue straight to Arthur Ashe Boulevard, turning left on the East side, and turning left again onto Grace Street.

From first-time finishers to seasoned marathoners, the 49th running promises the same hospitality, community spirit, and Richmond energy that have made it “America’s Friendliest Marathon”, now with a finish designed to make the celebration even bigger.

Complete details are available on www.richmondmarathon.org.