SunTrust Richmond Marathon : Official Thread

I live in Richmond and my husband and I will be running it.  It will be my third marathon - I'm also running the Marine Corps Marathon 3 weeks before Richmond.

I haven't done this marathon before, but I've done the 8k a few times that is on the same day.  It's well run and has a fun post-race party.  The weather can always be an issue.  A few years ago it was very very warm (in the 80s).  Last year, I think it rained.

The course is pretty flat.  There are a few hills, but nothing too bad.  I've been running on different parts of the course as part of the marathon training team run by the organization that does the race.  Runner's World is featuring the marathon this year and several of their editors will be out running.

I'm running it this year.  It will be my first attempt at a full.  I'm very excited, and nervous. 

I came up a bit short on my 16 mile attempt this past Saturday.

I'm getting excited about the marathon!  I ran MCM two years ago with a terrible time, I attempted it again last year but I had to stop at mile 17 due to major hip issues, but my training runs for Richmond have been going well and I am ready to hopefully hit my goal time.

I hope that everyones training is going well! 

Thanks everyone for replying.

@mandsberry - don't worry, you will do great!  The best confidence is knowing your training went well.

There are some good pointers about the race, for anyone interested, on the marathon website www richmondmarathon com in the message board.

I'm used to running in cold weather, living in Western Canada, so the colder is Richmond on Nov. 14th, the better.

Hope everyone's training is going well!


Bill

I'm in for the half.

I'm out for both this and Marine Corps.  I'm having gall bladder surgery sometime in the next two weeks and won't be able to run per my doctor's orders.  I'm frustrated.  I'll be cheering out on the course, though. 

I'm in for the half... even dragged my brother-in-law down from Michigan to join the fun.  My first time at the event.  Looks like it will be a big turnout... for those of you who have done it before, how much time should we leave for traffic / parking?

Stu

Doing the half this year. Have done the 8K twice, this will be my first half mary...looking forward to it! Hope you enjoy your trip to Richmond and good luck in the race.

Parking will be craptastic!  Allow more time than you think to get a spot.  The bandits charge a lot too!!

I was afraid you'd say that... gotta get up pretty early to come from Afton.  Thanks QZ and good luck in the race!
-Stu

10172 here and wearing a Culpeper Tri shirt. Hoping the rain and wind clears out just in time... still cold and rainy here in Afton.  Time for bed... see you all early in the am!  Good luck to all!
-Stu

Good luck to everyone tomorrow!!

Hi -

I'm thinking about entering the Richmond Marathon in November.  I am trying to qualify for Boston.  Any thoughts on whether this is a good qualifying race?

Thanks.
Mike

Two thoughts about Richmond as a BQ: 1) Boston filled up before Richmond started this year; if you got a BQ in 2010, you probably would not be able to run Boston until 2012; and 2) weather can be really miserable for Richmond--two out of three times it is hot and very humid--and there are a couple of long stretches towards the end without any shade.

Thanks for the replies.  I'm attempting to qualify for Boston 2012 (assuming that the Mayans were wrong and world still exists then), so I think the timing should be ok.  I'll also definitely keep the weather in mind - I was assuming it would be nice & cool, but obviously that may not be the case.