SunTrust Richmond Marathon

I did packet p/u after work today.

Weather still looks kinda iffy for Saturday.....like my hip flexors but I'm still running

I have run it 3 or 4 times in the past 10 years and was training to do it this year, but had to change my plans at the last minute for family reasons.

Richmond is a great marathon and keeps growing every year.  It is well managed and organized w/ aid stations every other mile and a nice expo.  The course is rolling...no real challenging or steep hills (I have a 3:05 PR on this course).  However, there are some fairly long, gradual in the last half of the course, but you'll make it.  The last 800 meters or so to the finish is all downhill.

The weather is usually chilly and breezy at the start...upper 30s or 40s.  However, it can warm up into the 50s or 60s by the end of the race, so check the forecast to see how to dress.  One year I wore an old shirt from a thrift store to keep warm at the start and threw it away within the first mile or two after I warmed-up.

There is lots of good food and entertainment post-race.  I have enjoyed Richmond everytime I ran it and really have nothing bad to say about it. 

My only advice is to watch your pace early, because the first several miles of the course are fast and flat with some downhills.  Consequently, there is a temptation to really hammer and then have dead legs later in the race.  No matter how well you have prepared, marathon day is always challenging.  However, trust your training and run accordingly and you will do well.

 Good luck!