ARCHIVED RACE: Suntrust Richmond Marathon, Richmond, VA 11/13/2010

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”!

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)