Run Richmond Once and You’ll Know Why We’re
“America’s Friendliest Marathon”!

Why run Richmond? It’s the little things that add up. Course amenities, like junk food stops and wet washcloths. Friendly and courteous volunteers who treat you like more than just a bib number. Even an online registration system that doesn’t hit you with extra fees to sign up. It’s what led Runner’s World to confirm what we’ve been saying all along: The SunTrust Richmond Marathon truly is “America’s Friendliest Marathon”! Runner's World Magazine named us a "Must Do" marathon in 2005 & 2009 and selected us as the site of their Marathon Challenge!

The January 2005 issue of Runner’s World magazine had this to say in touting Richmond as one of the 12 must-do marathons that offer “big fun, big scenery, big rewards”:

This marathon starts and finishes in charming historic downtown Richmond, once the capital of the south. The scenic, fast loop course takes in all of the city’s old neighborhoods, traveling up Monument Avenue, past statues of Confederate soldiers and Richmond native and tennis star Arthur Ashe, through the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, then alongside the James River. Along with the typical water and sports drink stops, this is probably the only race in the country that offers junk food stops, at miles 16 and 22, stocked with Gummy Bears, cookies, and soda. There are also two wet-washcloth stations, at miles 17 and 23, perfect for cleaning up for your finish-line photo. Three party zones set up along the way with free food, prize giveaways, and noisemakers for spectators and family means lots of enthusiastic, cheering support. The last mile features a fast downhill to the finish in the trendy Shockoe Slip area, where there are plenty of postrace goodies, including bagels, fruit, and pizza, and a band to celebrate your finish. (Runner’s World, January 2005)

So come experience "America's Friendliest Marathon".  It's 26.2 miles of smiles!

The SunTrust Richmond Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier!

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Entry Rules & Confirmation
Entry fees are non-refundable and entries are non-transferable, no exceptions.  Once we receive and process your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate. The entry fee for the 2010 race will not transfer to the 2011 race. All entries received by October 15, 2010 will be confirmed by mail. Entries received after October 15 may be confirmed by visiting our web site. On-line and mail-in entrants who provide a valid email address also receive instant email confirmation. Do not mail entry forms after November 1. Instead, sign up on-line through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10.

Late registration will be held at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center during the Health &  Fitness Expo on Thursday, Nov. 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. No Race Day registration or packet pick up!

If you are already signed up for one race and want to switch to the other, you may do so in person at the Race Expo. There is a $10 fee to do so, along with any applicable entry fee difference.

Along with VIP Treatment, All Half Marathon Participants Receive...
All runners receive a custom finisher’s medal at the finish line, and and can redeem a free certificate to recognize and commemorate their accomplishment. Every runner in the marathon, half marathon and 8k receives a special technical race shirt, and is admitted to a special post-race celebration with plenty of free food, drink, and lots of smiles and pats on the back.

Water stops will be positioned at the start and every two miles until Mile 20, then every mile thereafter. Diamond Springs water and POWERade will be available at every water stop on the race course. Energy gel will be available at Miles 14 and 21. Marathoners looking for an extra burst of energy in the waning miles will want to make sure to hit the Junk Food Stop at Miles 16 and 22. Wet wash cloths will be available at Miles 17 and 23. Porto-johns will be stationed at the Start/Finish and adjacent to every water stop. Medical attention is available along the course.

Join the Runner’s World Marathon Challenge!
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon has again been selected for the Runner’s World Marathon Challenge. Bart Yasso, Runner’s World’s Chief Running Officer has designed a 16-week training plan that you can tailor to fit your goals and your needs. Whether you’re overbooked, injury-prone, seeking a PR, or just looking to finish your first marathon, this program will provide the guidance you need so that you can run your best. Visit www.runnersworld.com/challenge for all the details and to sign up!

Packet/T-shirt Pick-up
Packet pick-up will be available at the Health & Fitness Expo held at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center on Thursday, November 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. THERE IS NO RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP! A photo ID is required to pick up your race packet. You may pick up a race packet for another pre-registered runner, provided you have a copy of their photo ID.

Walk Up Registration
Walk Up Registration will be held at the Health & Fitness Expo at the Arthur Ashe Center on Thursday, November 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION OR PACKET PICK UP!!!

Switching Races
If you are already signed up for one race and want to switch to the other, you may do so in person at the Race Expo on Thursday or Friday. There is a $10 fee to do so, along with any applicable entry fee increase. 

Sports Backers Marathon Training Team
The Sports Backers Marathon Training Team is a comprehensive 24-week marathon training program.  Individuals of all levels interested in running with a specific goal in mind – the 2010 SunTrust Richmond Marathon - will work together to reach this goal.  For more information, click here.

Starting Corrals
Participants in the marathon will be corralled for the start based on predicted times listed on their completed entry form.

7 Hour Course Time Limit
All participants must be able to finish the marathon in 7 hours. In order to do so, you will need to maintain a 16:02 per mile pace or you will be asked to move to the sidewalk to enable the reopening of the streets to vehicular traffic. At that time, there will no longer be traffic protection, medical aid or water stops offered. There will be four designated checkpoints along the course with shuttles available to take participants back to the finish area if anyone does not reach a checkpoint by these times:

Do Your Part to Help Save Lives
Donate Life is the official race charity of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, working to increase organ, eye and tissue donation in Virginia and across the United States. Through educational efforts, Donate Life encourages all Americans to say “yes” to donation and document their decision to become a donor. Today you can make a difference by signing up as an organ and tissue donor. If you are a Virginia resident you can register to be a donor at www.save7lives.org or at the DMV. If you live outside Virginia, please visit www.donatelife.net to find out how to sign up in your state. Together we can help save lives.

Pasta Dinner
The Pasta Dinner will be held on Friday, November 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Omni Richmond. The cost is $30 per person and seating is limited.  Reservations will be accepted until November 1 or the dinner sells out, whichever comes first.  For reservations, sign up and pay when you register or call (804) 285-9495.

Health & Fitness Expo
The Health & Fitness Expo will be held at the Arthur Ashe Center on Thursday, November 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Pick up your T-shirt and Race Packet and see the latest sports equipment and more!

Pace Teams and Course Tours
The Richmond Road Runners Club is proud to offer these two special, complimentary services to all Marathon participants.  Pace Teams will be available to help you reach your time goal.  Course Bus Tours will be available on Friday, November 12 and depart from the Race Expo (advanced reservations encouraged).

For Pace Team info and registration, check back this summer.

For course bus tour info and registration, check back this summer.

Race Day Parking

With over 90 parking decks and lots in the downtown area, there is plenty of parking available on Race Day. Remember that the Start & Finish lines are located only 6 blocks apart. It is recommended that 8k runners park near the start to allow for more parking near the finish for marathoners. Here is a partial listing of the parking decks open on Race Day:

To print out a corresponding map of downtown, courtesy of RideFinders.com, click here.

For a helpful downtown map from the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau, click here.

Race Day Bag Check
UPS trucks will be on site at the Starting Line to collect your bags and then take them to the Finish.  Clearly mark your bag with your name and race number.

Rules
Please note:

• There will be no refunds and no transfer of entries from person-to-person or year-to-year. If you are already signed up for one race and want to switch to the other, you may do so in person at the Race Expo. There is a $10 fee to do so, along with any applicable entry fee difference.
• This race is conducted under the rules of USATF and the Road Runners Club of America.
• In consideration of the safety of all participants, NO HAND CYCLES, STROLLERS, BABY JOGGERS, BABIES IN CARRIERS/BACKPACKS, IN-LINE SKATES, SKATEBOARDS, BICYCLES OR ANIMALS ON LEASHES will be allowed on the course.  This will be strictly enforced.