June 1 - November 16, 2013

Celebrating 12 Years of Training!

Running a marathon is tough enough. Throw in the training, and you’ve got yourself quite a challenge. Good thing we’re ready to take it on with you! With the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, you’ll find yourself not just equipped with a detailed 24-week program, but a great crew of experienced coaches and inspirational teammates as well. One of our favorite perks? A dedicated SAG team that supports the longer group runs. That’s right… water stops, PowerAde and gummy bears while you TRAIN. So let Richmond’s running community carry you to 26.2… when you hit that final stretch at the Nov. 16 Anthem Richmond Marathon, you’ll be glad you didn’t go it alone!?

Here is what some of 2012’s participants had to say about the program:

“There is no way I could have crossed the finish line – or even made it to the start – without the training team.”
- Beth Morgan

“This journey has been a life-transforming event.”
- Trong Nguyen 

“MTT is a wonderful way to stay motivated to run a marathon.”
- Carrie Griffith 

 Your registration for the Marathon Training Team includes:

• 24-week training program (starts on Saturday, June 1 or Sunday, June 2) with a detailed written schedule for you to follow
• personal guidance from veteran coaches Don Garber, Sean Cusack and their team of experienced coaches
• organized and supported weekly group runs on your choice of Saturday or Sunday mornings from Sports Backers Stadium, located next to The Diamond (time will change based on season)
• a special Sports Backers Marathon Training Team shirt and a technical race shirt
• entry in the 2013 Anthem Richmond Marathon and all associated race benefits
• special clinics on subjects like nutrition, running attire and other related topics.

Informational Meetings

Need some more information? Come to one of our informational meetings below or call the Sports Backers at (804) 285-9495. You do not need to attend a meeting in order to join the program. (Schedule subject to change)

Training Team Fees

$160 through May 24

$175 from May 25 through June 23

What the Entry Fee Includes

 The Training Team fee includes your entry in the Anthem Richmond Marathon and the 24-week training program. 

As part of your participation in the program, you will receive a special Sports Backers Marathon Training Team shirt and a technical race shirt. In addition, there are some local running races that will serve as (optional) training runs and may require additional entry fees.

To register, sign up online. You can also choose to complete the print entry form and mail it with your check or bring it with you to one of the informational meetings.  For additional information, please call the Sports Backers at (804) 285-9495. 

Training Team entry fees are non-refundable and entries are non-transferable, no exceptions.  Once we receive your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate.  All training team entries must be received by June 23, 2013. 
 

How to Register

There are three ways to register:

1. Register online through Sunday, June 23. 

   

2. Sign up in person at one of the informational meetings listed above.

3. Print out an entry form and mail it in with a check.

PLEASE NOTE:  All Training Team fees must be received by June 23 in order to participate in the program.

Already signed up for the marathon and want to participate in the training team? No problem! Just click here on Switching-races and follow the prompts.  The system will charge you the difference between the marathon and the training team.  If you orginially paid by check, you can send a check made out to Sports Backers for the difference in price between the training team fee and your marathon entry fee you’ve paid for the event. Just indicate if you’d like to train on Saturday or Sunday, with the early or late group (7 or 7:30), and whether you'd consider yourself a novice or intermediate.  Also include your typical pace/mile and your most recent 10k time.

Entry Confirmation

Already registered? You can confirm your entry here.

Clinics

There will be clinics held on everything from injury prevention to nutrition to shoes.

Dates and times of the clinics will be listed here soon.

Sports Backers HALF Marathon Training Team

 Is a full marathon too much for you? The Sports Backers offer a Half Marathon Training Team to train for the American Family Fitness Half Marathon, a companion race of the Anthem Richmond Marathon, on November 16. The 14-week program will begin on August 10. If you register for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team and then decide to switch to the Half Marathon Training Program, you will be allowed to do so for a $10 fee.

Training Team Details

Head Coaches

Veteran marathon training team coach, Don Garber, will again lead the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team. He has helped thousands of first-time marathoners successfully complete the 26.2-mile distance in races around the country and overseas, including the past 12 Richmond Marathons. Most of the coaches who have assisted Don in prior years will also be returning. 

Sean Cusack will help lead the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team in 2013. Sean has been a coach with the Team for the past 8 years and was a participant in 2003 and 2004. Sean has worked with runners of all experience levels in their quest to run a marathon and has a great knack for mixing humor with his running messages. Sean was also the head coach for the Sports Backers Duathlon Training Team.

Saturday and Sunday Group Runs Offered

You have the option to do your Group Runs on Saturday or Sunday mornings from the Sports Backers Stadium located next to The Diamond. Please indicate your preference on the entry form. There is a limit of 800 participants in the Saturday group run sessions and a limit of 400 participants in the Sunday group run sessions.

The first group runs will be Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. There will be a short introductory meeting beginning at 7:30 a.m. followed by our first group run. Beginning the following week, the Sunday run will start at 7 a.m. On Saturdays, the larger group will be divided into multiple groups starting between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. To beat the summer heat, from early July until Labor Day, all start times will be 30 minutes earlier.

Fitness Requirements to be on the Training Team

There is a 7-hour time limit to complete the Anthem Richmond Marathon on November 16, so that requires running a good portion of the 26.2 miles. We do not have a "walking" group for the Training Team. Each participant should be able to comfortably finish four miles (in no more than 52 minutes) several times per week while primarily running prior to starting the Training Team on June 1/2. You must be 18 years or older to join the Team.

Other Races

Throughout the 24-week program, some local races may be used as training runs.  These races may require additional entry fees and will be optional.

Please Note:

• Once you have registered for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, there will be no refund of entry fees if you are unable to complete the program.
• If you choose to run the American Family Fitness Half Marathon or HCA Virginia 8k, rather than the Anthem Richmond Marathon, on November 16, you will be charged the event’s standard $10 fee to switch races.
• You may not defer your 2013 Sports Backers Marathon Training Team entry nor your entry in the 2013 Anthem Richmond Marathon to the 2014 event.