Richmond Marathon

The Richmond Marathon is one of the most established and recognizable marathons in the United States, combining a strong race-day atmosphere with a course that showcases the character of Virginia’s capital. Organized by Sports Backers, the nonprofit behind many of Richmond’s best-known active-living events, the race takes place in Richmond, Virginia, USA, and is officially presented in 2026 as the Allianz Richmond Marathon. Widely known by its longtime tagline, “America’s Friendliest Marathon,” Richmond has built a reputation not only for efficient event execution but also for enthusiastic local support, scenic neighborhoods, and a welcoming experience that appeals to both first-time marathoners and experienced runners chasing a fast, well-organized fall race. The marathon course travels through scenic and historic parts of the city, including stretches along and across the James River, and is noted by the organizers as a strong Boston-qualifier option. The event weekend also includes the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon and the Richmond 8k, making it an attractive choice for groups, families, and runners of different experience levels who want to share the same race-day energy.