AMERICA'S FRIENDLIST MARATHON
2025 Allianz Richmond Marathon
2025 CarMax Richmond Half Marathon
2025 VCU Health Richmond 8k
Virtual - 2025 Allianz Richmond Marathon
Virtual - 2025 CarMax Richmond Half Marathon
Virtual - 2025 VCU Health Richmond 8k
Don't Miss the 48th Running! #RunRichmond
We can't wait to provide you the superior race day experience that we've become known for over the past 48 years! We pride ourselves on being able to not only organize a large-scale event, but to also make our event feel tailor-made for all our participants regardless of size. From registration, to packet pick up, swag, on course entertainment, aid stations, and more, we want to make every step of your full, half, or 8k journey easy and fun. We look forward to November 15 and hope to see you at the finish!
EVENTS
Known as America's Friendliest Marathon, we are proud to continue providing the superior race day experience you’ve come to expect when you run Richmond! With a reputation for excellence, we take pride in organizing and executing a top-notch event that ensures every step of your journey is meaningful and fun. From registration to packet pick-up, swag, on-course entertainment, aid stations, and more, we aim to make your experience unforgettable. We look forward to our 48th running of the Allianz Richmond Marathon on November 15 and hope to see you at the finish! Registration is limited to 6,200 participants.
Conquer 13.1 on November 15! The CarMax Richmond Half Marathon takes everything we love about the full, and packs it into 13.1 miles. Along the course you’ll see beloved and historic Richmond locations and will be treated with the highest level of course support. So what are you waiting for?! Richmond is calling! Registration is limited to 10,000 participants.
Get in on the race day fun by conquering an 8k (4.97 miles) run or walk through downtown Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. You’ll be the first on the course to experience our awesome crowd support and enthusiastic spectators. Go your own speed, as this race welcomes all paces, from the super-fast, to those just starting out, and walkers as well!
Virtual Events
Can’t be in Richmond on Nov. 15? You can still be a part of the Allianz Richmond Marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, or VCU Health Richmond 8k. Participate virtually anytime during the month of November and earn amazing swag to go along with your amazing accomplishment!
TRAINING TEAMS & CHALLENGE
Marathon Training Team
June 7 - November 15
Includes a detailed 23-week program, but also great crew of experienced coaches and inspirational teammates as well. Let Richmond’s running community carry you to 26.2... when you hit that final stretch, you’ll be glad you didn’t go it alone! Includes a free entry into the Allianz Richmond Marathon. REGISTER HERE
Half Marathon Training Team
August 9 - November 15
It turns out one really is the loneliest number… especially when you’re training for a half marathon. So join up with other motivated runners and walkers as you embark on a 14-week program. Includes a free entry into the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon. REGISTER HERE
8k Training Team
September 20 - November 15
Spend 8 weeks in a program catered to runners and walkers of all abilities – you’ll quickly realize how fun (yes, FUN!) training can be and how easy it is to make new friends at one of our convenient locations. Includes a free entry into the VCU Health Richmond 8k. REGISTER HERE
Richmond Challenge
Complete all 3 races, Earn a Medal!
Choose which distance you want to complete on November 15—the Allianz Richmond Marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, or VCU Health Richmond 8k, and then complete the other two distances virtually! You’ll have the month of November to complete your virtual events. Multiple distances equals more medals, more swag, and more bragging rights! You’ll also earn a special medal that will make you the envy of all your runner friends!
* Note, if you would like to purchase event insurance, DO NOT register for the challenge through the Challenge event. You must register for each race separately. We will mark your registrations as part of the Richmond Challenge.
Event Charity: Sports Backers Youth Programs
Sports Backers invests in the future of active living in our region through our youth programs – Kids On The Move and the Active Living Leadership ALL Stars. From the youngest kids getting an opportunity to be a part of a running or fitness club, reaping the socio-emotional benefits while moving more, to those on their way to adulthood and applying to college, Sports Backers is passionate about supporting Richmond region youth. We do this by providing the resources they need to be successful, whether that be a pair of athletic shoes for a child in need, covering the cost of bus transportation for a Kids On The Move club to attend one of our signature events, or providing leadership training and scholarships to promising student-athletes. Your donation makes it possible for us to support the most important part of our community – our kids. They are the future and we know that by investing in them and instilling healthy habits now, it benefits us all.
Donation Discounts by Event:
- In-Person Marathon or Half Marathon: A donation of at least $50 will automatically result in $20 off your in-person registration fee.
- Virtual Marathon or Half Marathon: A donation of $25 will automatically result in $15 off your virtual registration fee.
- In-Person or Virtual 8k: A donation of $20 will automatically result in $10 off your registration fee.
Questions? Feedback?
Questions or Feedback please reach out below
Sports Backers’ mission is to inspire people to live actively. Since 1991, Sports Backers has fostered a culture of active living in Central Virginia through its participatory sporting events and community-based programs that have inspired hundreds of thousands of people in the region to set fitness goals and pursue an active lifestyle. In everything that we do, we strive to promote health equity and create accessible opportunities for active living throughout our region.
We fulfill our mission by: (1) advocating for bike and pedestrian infrastructure; (2) energizing the community through events; and (3) building a network of community-led group fitness programs in schools and neighborhoods. With your support, we can make this region a more vibrant place to live where safe opportunities to walk, run, bike, or workout abound and where access to these activities are available to all. Thank you for considering an investment in our region’s future!
Cancellations/Postponements Policy
Entry fees are non-refundable, even in the case of a race cancellation, postponement, event format changes, and/or if you are unable to participate; race numbers and entries cannot be transferred to another person. No exceptions. This means once we have received your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate, and you may not give or sell your number or timing tag to anyone else. Anyone found participating with another person’s number will be disqualified & both people will be barred from future Sports Backers events.
Deferrals Policy
You may defer your registration from the 2025 Allianz Richmond Marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, or VCU Health Richmond 8k to the 2026 event. You may only defer to and from the same event distance. Deferred registrations may not be transferred to another person. Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances. The fee to defer a registration is $10 for the 8k and $25 for the half or full marathons through September 15 and then $20 for the 8k and $35 for the half or full marathons. All deferrals must be done by October 30, 2025 and may be used only for the 2026 event. You may only defer an entry once (i.e., if you defer your 2025 entry to 2026, you will not be able to defer it again to 2027). To begin the deferral process, click here and follow the prompts.
Please note: Training team registrations have different deferral rules and deadlines. Check each Training Team page for details.
Switching Races (Distance)
There will be no refunds and no transfer of entries from person-to-person. You may switch between the three events (8k, half, and full) for a $10 distance switch fee if going down in distance. If going up in distance, it’s $10 plus the difference in entry fee at the time of the switch. If you are already signed up for one race and want to switch to the other, you may do so online through November 5 or in person at the Race Expo, provided the race you are switching to has not reached its capacity. You will not receive a refund of any entry fees.
SWITCHING TO A SHORTER DISTANCE: To begin the switching process, click here and follow the prompts.
- Example: If you are registered for the Half Marathon and want to switch to the 8k, you would pay $10 distance switch fee.
SWITCHING TO A LONGER DISTANCE: Please email info@sportsbackers.org for more details to switch to a higher distance. .
- Example: If you registered for the Half Marathon for $90 and would like to switch to the Marathon in July when the Marathon’s entry fee is $125, you will owe $45 ($35 difference in entry fee + $10 distance switch fee).
Please note, if you deferred your race entry from 2024 to 2025 and would now like switch distances, you must email info@sportsbackers.org in order to process the switch.
