The rolling Richmond Marathon course The marathon starts at 1st and Broad Street and finishes on a downhill slope at 5th and Tredegar Street at Brown's Island and the Canal Walk on Richmond's downtown riverfront. In between the route travels through scenic and historic sections of Richmond and also along and across the James River.
The majority of the rolling terrain is in the first half of the course and it is mostly flat (with a few changes in elevation) the second half to the downhill finish.
The Richmond Marathon was the 16th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 16th largest in 2022.
Last year 12.7% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 6.2% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Richmond Marathon the 130th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 280th highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 99.08 ranks it as the 183rd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in Virginia.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Richmond Marathon a PR Score of 99.08. This PR Score ranks it as the 134th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 5th fastest in Virginia.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Richmond Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 272 feet (82m) Min Elevation: 85 feet (25m)
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.
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)
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.
TC's review of 2022 Richmond Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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.
I suggest staying at the Delta Hotel by Marriott. It is an easy walk to the start and very near the finish.
CDW's review of 2022 Richmond Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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.
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.
ac's review of 2019 Richmond Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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.
