Marathons in Virginia

Virginia keeps it to three signature 26.2s — and all three lean flat and fast. From the fall, festival-grade Richmond Marathon, billed as America's Friendliest, to a pair of pancake-flat spring qualifiers on the coast, this is a curated, BQ-friendly set rather than a crowded calendar. Each race card below shows a live countdown, field size and course profile.

Updated 2026-07-20 Sorted by race date. Field sizes and course data are checked against each race's official source.

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About marathons in Virginia

One in fall, two in spring — all three built for time. Virginia's marathon calendar is small but unusually focused: every race here is a credible Boston-qualifying course. The Richmond Marathon (mid-November) is the big one, a roughly 5,000-runner full with street art, river views and an iconic downhill finish; then the season jumps to the coast for two flat spring races — Newport News One City (early March) and the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach (late March).

Read the profile, then pick your window. Shamrock is the flattest of the three — about 82 m of climb along the Virginia Beach oceanfront, finishing on the boardwalk by the King Neptune statue — and one of the flattest road marathons in the country. Newport News One City is an almost dead-flat, point-to-point USATF-certified course (about 97 m) that routinely lands in the top tier of BQ-rate races. Richmond rolls a little more (about 208 m) but rewards you with a fast, scenic downhill close. All three are BQ-eligible — confirm your target with the Boston Qualifying calculator and the BQ race guide.

Travel and timing are easy. Richmond sits on I-95 with its own airport and a walkable downtown start; the two coastal races share the Hampton Roads / Virginia Beach corridor a short drive apart. Richmond is open, first-come registration that has recently sold out, so commit early; the spring pair fills steadily and benefits from cool, stable coastal weather. Lock in race-day pacing with the pace calculator and finish-time calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest marathon in Virginia?

The Richmond Marathon is Virginia's largest, with the full marathon capped at around 6,200 entrants and roughly 5,000 finishers each November. Nicknamed "America's Friendliest Marathon," it has recently sold out and pairs heavy crowd support with a scenic course through the Fan District and Church Hill and a celebrated downhill finish on the riverfront. The Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach is the next largest of the three.

Which Virginia marathon is flattest and best for a Boston qualifier?

Both spring coastal races are strong qualifiers, but the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach is the flattest — about 82 m of total climb along the oceanfront, with only the Rudee Inlet bridge breaking the flat, and a straight boardwalk finish. Newport News One City is a close second: an almost entirely flat, point-to-point USATF-certified course that regularly ranks among the top marathons for BQ rate. Richmond rolls a touch more but finishes fast downhill. Check your standard with the Boston Qualifying calculator.

When is marathon season in Virginia?

Virginia runs on two windows. Fall belongs to the Richmond Marathon in mid-November, when crisp inland weather suits a personal best. Spring is the coastal stretch: Newport News One City in early March and the Shamrock Marathon in late March, both timed for cool, stable conditions before summer humidity sets in. Hot, humid summers mean nothing major is scheduled in between.

Which Virginia marathon is best for a first-timer?

The flat coastal pair is the gentlest place to debut. Shamrock in Virginia Beach is festive, well-supported and almost entirely flat, with a beach-resort finish that makes for an easy travel weekend. Newport News One City is the smallest and quietest of the three — a point-to-point course that is easy to pace evenly. Richmond is bigger and more atmospheric, with the most crowd energy if you want a lively first marathon.

Do any Virginia marathons use a lottery?

No — all three are open, first-come registration with no ballot. The Richmond Marathon has sold out in recent years, so its capped field is the one to secure early; the two coastal races fill steadily rather than instantly. International runners traveling to the U.S. need an ESTA (visa-waiver countries) or a B1/B2 visa.

How do the three Virginia marathons differ?

They split by season and feel. Richmond (mid-November) is the large, festive fall race with the most crowd support and a fast downhill finish, climbing about 208 m. Newport News One City (early March) is the small, almost dead-flat point-to-point qualifier (about 97 m). Shamrock (late March) is the flat, fast Virginia Beach oceanfront race (about 82 m) with a boardwalk finish — the flattest of the trio.