Richmond Marathon Unveils New 2026 Race Routes

Sports Backers has announced new starting locations, finish line and road closures for the 2026 Richmond Marathon races.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Running

Sports Backers unveiled new 2026 Richmond Marathon routes, moving all three race starts to Broad Street and the finish line to Fifth and Byrd Streets with staggered closures Thursday through Saturday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Sports Backers announced new routes for the Richmond Marathon 2026, with all three races starting from new locations along Broad Street. The full marathon sold out, with all 7,200 spots claimed by June.

Why it matters

The route changes alter which Richmond streets close and for how long, affecting drivers and residents across the city. Runners can expect a different course on each race distance this year.

All 7,200 full marathon spots were claimed by June, according to the event announcement. Closure hours on Saturday range from 4am to 6pm, with the 8K and half-marathon routes also changed.

The players

Sports Backers

Sports Backers is a Richmond-based nonprofit that organizes the Richmond Marathon and promotes healthy, active lifestyles in the region.

The details

The 8K now follows a more direct route along Broad Street, while half-marathon runners use a new stretch of Hermitage and Princeton Roads. The finish line moves from near Tredegar to Fifth and Byrd Streets, and closures are staggered across Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

June 2026: full marathon sells out with all 7,200 spots claimed.
Thursday at 6pm: Fifth Street between Bragg and Byrd closes.
Friday at 10am and noon: additional road stretches close.
Saturday from 4am to 6pm: new closures take effect, including Seventh and 10th streets, Brown's Island Way and Princeton Road.
Saturday at 6pm: all closures reopen.

Season Trajectory

The 2026 course changes adjust a long-running Richmond race footprint along Broad Street and Monument Avenue. The move to a new finish line at Fifth and Byrd Streets reshapes how the marathon uses the downtown corridor.

Drivers in downtown Richmond will face staggered closures on Broad Street, Monument Avenue and nearby roads across Thursday through Saturday. Plan alternate routes and check closure hours before traveling downtown that weekend.

The takeaway

Check the posted closure hours before driving downtown this weekend, since several roads reopen only Saturday evening. Plan extra travel time around Broad Street and Monument Avenue.

What happens next

Thursday's 6pm closure of Fifth Street, Friday's 10am and noon closures, and Saturday's 4am to 6pm closures will take effect before the race, with all roads reopening Saturday at 6pm.