Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
I’ve run the half several times, and ran the full once. I know the course like the back of my hand- and the full is a great course with decent scenery (mostly suburbs with nice water features) that does really highlight a lot of the city. It runs through the length of the city which is cool! The half and the full start at the same time, so crowds and cheering dies down for most marathoners after the half runners have finished up— take that as you will. The pacing groups are great and make the race easier, or at least take away some of the grueling moments and make them joyful.
The race is southbound so you’re facing the sun the whole way— and the races start at the same time so it can get VERY warm very fast during the full.
They have shuttles to help you get to and from the start, I have been lucky to live in the city and get dropped off at the starting line. Thankfully there’s normally ample space at the lines to do this because the races start at the same time in different locations.
It was honestly a great race and experience. I loved the energy from the crowd and all the supporters! And the food after was amazing.
It’s a mostly flat course so there’s not too much to worry about there. If just say make sure to hydrate before and carb load while also possibly bringing some gels if you take those because they have water/gatorade stations, but that’s it.
Most anywhere should be fine to stay at since you park in Downtown Newport News and get shuttled to the start. And we have so many great options for restaurants with some good ones in City Center and also along Jefferson Avenue and at Coliseum in Hampton.
1. I loved that it was not an out and back, but a point to point race.
2. It was nice that you could get bussed to the starting line, but could also be dropped off by someone.
3. The swag was GREAT!!! You received two complimentary beers, a ticket for a free meal or treat to a food truck, and your normal finish line goodies like bagels, bananas, and sports drinks.
I stayed at the hotel where the expo was. This location also had shuttles to and from the start and finish.
I completed the 5K OC Run/Walk for the first time this past February. It was relatively easy, few turns, no inclines, not super crowded, had a good spread of age group participants, and perfect weather. Afterwards, I joined other finishers in the lines for the food trucks, and hung out in Traditions with some of my awesome co-workers.
Definitely looking forward to next year’s event- maybe the 5 again or up it to the 10k. Let’s see how training goes this year.:)Also hole to recruit a few more friends to join.
Bring water for your run. We only got water once during the 5K. Was super thirsty by the end- I normally drink lots of water.
Definitely get to the parking garage not later than 7, to avoid any chance of not finding a space. The recommended garage was conveniently located to the start and finish lines of the 5K. Use the extra time pre-run to stretch and/or warm up. Also, don’t wear too many layers, itms added unnecessary weight. Be comfortable in what you wear knowing you will warm up as you start moving and the temperature of the day increases.
I've lived here for years now and I thought I had seen all the best scenery here, but OH MY the course for the One City Marathon, showed me just how beautiful Newport News really is. The support along the route was amazing. After I completed my run I went to the finish line to cheer for the others. I met families and friends of first timers and just joined in. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE! Great JOB Mr. Major and Newport News!
1st timers, get out there!
Plan ahead of course, and I always say, "You can get anywhere in Newport News in about 20 minutes, Don't be afraid to stay a little ways from your event".
This marathon was well planned and executed. I loved everything about it. Nice, flat point to point course. The weather was typical for this race and ideal for me. I was not disappointed with any aspect. Got my first BQ with the help of the 3:15 pacers and our group. I will continue to highly recommend this race.
I chose this race specifically for the goal of my first BQ. I chose it over Shamrock after two years of doing that course. This race gets a gold star for easiest logistics of a race I've ever experienced. I stayed at the host hotel, so packet pickup was downstairs and a bus took me from the hotel to the start line, SO EASY! If you do better with a big spectator presence, this race may not be for you, but there were plenty of spots where local residents came out to support. the pacers were fantastic and the course only has a few small rolling hills. It's a completely southbound point to point course which I loved as well. the last 3 miles are completely straight and flat which allowed me to really turn on the jets at the end.
Pacing strategy- steady in the beginning, save some in the tank for a few rolling hills and turns in the middle, and the last part is straight and flat- allowing for an all out pace
Stay at the host hotel, the Holiday Inn. So easy and created a low stress race day experience.
Race communication was excellent. I registered last minute and didn't feel like it was too pricey even for race week. Packet pick-up was super easy, not really an Expo but there were a few vendors there so you could pick up some last minute items if needed. The people at the information booth were knowledgeable.
Race morning was easy. Plenty of parking and easy to find the busses and there were plenty of them. Race Village was nice, good energy. There were a little less than 400 that ran the marathon so it wasn't crowded at any point.
We started in a park for the first couple miles and saw several deer there. Course had a nice variety, some neighborhoods, some main streets, some parks. There were enough turns to keep it interesting. The course is generally flat with a few inclines but the declines were awewome and nothing felt challenging. There were some really beautiful parts of the course, going thru some parks, by water, etc. I enjoyed the variety of the course.
A little crowd support here and there. Course was well marked and there was plenty of police support and you felt safe everywhere. Volunteers were awesome and water stops at least every 2 miles if not more.
Loved the last mile when you made that right turn you saw the finish line right there! Post race party was amazing with food tickets from your choice of several food trucks. Live music and just a great atmosphere. Nice medals as well.
The only thing I would recommend is for the communication to indicate the mile markers are high up on poles. I never saw one of them and I was looking, but my husband, who ran the half saw them all. I think I just wasn't looking high enough. But overall, I loved everything about this race. Got a 9 minute PR and a BQ with almost a 12 minute buffer, so I'm happy!
Re: the Marathon Mile Markers. Evidently there' permanently posted high up on poles so know to look for them.
We stayed in at a hotel on the Marina in Hampton and it was an easy 15 min drive to the race. Had dinner at Mama Rosa's and it was excellent.
This was a fantastic race! It was very well organized from start to finish. The race expo was easy to find and it was simple to figure out where to pick up my bib. The course is beautiful and the weather was perfect. You are bussed to the start and they let you sit in the buses to keep warm. The start is in a park and it is gorgeous will all the trees and forest that is surrounding you. There were plenty of porta-potties right by the start line. The course is mostly flat but there are some hills. Nothing crazy but certainly some that make you notice the entire course isn't "pancake flat". Don't get me wrong, a lot of it is "pancake flat", which was really nice. They had a TON of volunteers. I could not believe it. Every single aid station had lots of volunteers. There were police officers at every intersection, helping to block off the traffic. The community came out to rally the runners, too. There were school bands playing, people outside their homes, someone was even giving out small cups of beer towards the end. There isn't a ton of crowd support but the people who were there were great. The airport is REALLY easy to get in and out of and it is easy to get around the town. It was truly a fantastic race. I got my BQ and so did many others.
Host hotel was great but I didn't stay there.
This is my hometown race and I love it. Its small, flat and point to point. Not to mention the weather is usually perfect - overcast and mid 40s. It is rolling but there are no major energy-sucking hills.
Newport News is laid out like a long sliver and you literally run from one end to the other. Lots of good scenery especially when you get close the shipyard in the last 3-4 miles.
You have to park near the finish and catch a shuttle to the start so give yourself plenty of time. They utilize drop bags and historically its pretty cold at the start so make use.
Timing could not be better and the logistics and support along the race were outstanding. First time this year and already signed up for 2027.
Every man le marked.
Race hotel good value.