Newport News One City Marathon Reviews

  

By Tia about 2023

Review

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!

Race Tips

Re: the Marathon Mile Markers. Evidently there' permanently posted high up on poles so know to look for them.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

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.

  Mostly Flat, Fast Race

By CR about 2020

Review

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.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Host hotel was great but I didn't stay there.

  My hometown race!

By WS about 2019

Review

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.

Race Tips

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.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

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.