Richmond Marathon

no, i led 3:10 the last 2 years, but led 3:00 in '03 (unofficial) and '04

As someone trying for a Boston qualifier, but never having run a 3:10 before (last marathon was a year ago, been training all year), do you think I should stick with the 3:10 pacegroup or the 3:00? I've had a bad expirience with a 3:00 group before who took off in 6:20 for the first mile.

I think i may use the marathon as a long run, adn see if i cannot pick up some easy cash, I mean 5th place last year only ran 2:42.xx so i my plan is to just use it as a long run and why not pick up some easy cash and who know's maybe even win it overall and pick up $2500.

I'll be there and trying to PR (< 3:10).

Is 28-timer Wally?

mattk wrote:

Richmond has a pretty slow course, lots of hills. Sub 2:33 would be spectacular on this course for a first time marathoner. Good luck!

Really lots of hills? There's a couple of bumps down by the River and I suppose you could call it a hill when you take the ramp up to the bridge, but other than that.... The bigger problem in running sub 2:33 is you'll most likely be all alone. There aren't very many good runners hanging around Richmond. There will be a few Kenyans who swoop in to grab the money, and then it's pretty sparse between 2:25 and 2:50ish before the masses start coming.

Go Godwin!

PS - Carnivore, you'll be happy to know that Mug still goes by Mug. I don't know anybody who calls him Craig or even Coach Hedley.

This is true. The only shocker hill was one just past running along the river...it wasn't long, just a short steep one that cause me offguard.

Anyway, I ran my first ever there...poorly prepared, and still ran 2:37. I was mostly by myself from about 12 miles to the finish. Thanks to the down hill in the last 1/2 mile, I managed a 5:40ish last mile and averaged sub 6 pace.

if i needed 3:10, i'd stick with the 3:10 pace group - if you sign up on the race web site, your email address will be sent to the pacer and you can check out his plan

i plan on hitting close to 6:45's for most of the early miles

hey macker

yep, it's me, WD

thought i had your email address - but i don't see it

just sent you a PM over on RT

Less than 2 weeks left. Just did my last longish run today.

I have a question for those who have gone before, is it important to stay near the race start? (I still need to get a hotel reservation.) Is parking readily available?

Will Ryan Deak be there?

It's not so bad if you get there early - I wouldn't worry about being too close to the start. Just pick a side street near the race and park - they don't really ticket anybody on race day.

Good Luck.

look at the course map

http://www.richmondmarathon.com/course_info.htm

start and finish are a few blocks apart.

lots of parking in the area - some of it is listed on web site

http://www.richmondmarathon.com/participant_info.htm#RaceDayParking