The Charlottesville Marathon course is scenic and runs along the Rivanna river and historic neighborhoods. The setting is quaint with views of the river, historic churches and homes and of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Monticello. The course is hilly and is about 65% roads and 35% paved bike paths and spectators are limited. The water stops will have water, electrolytes and gels. The miles will be marked every 5 miles ONLY. If you are a fan of large crowds and large events, this is not the race for you.
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The Charlottesville Marathon was the 246th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 266th largest in 2022.
In 2022, 2.9% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon. It ranks 399th in the U.S. in the percentage of finishers achieving Boston Marathon qualifying times in 2022.
Charlottesville Marathon Elevation Chart
No course elevation available at this time.
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I have the same opinion with others, but this is poorly organized. The distance is not correctly measured, and the route is complex but pooly signed. The half marathon distance in this race in 2022 was nearly 13.5 miles. It is unclear if we run on the right or left on a narrow trail, so we will need to find a path to avoid runners running in the opposite direction! Route signes are on the road only, so we could also take a wrong route.
Race Tips
Competitive runners should not run in the race. In addition to the chance of taking a wrong route, there are lots of hills and steep turns.
I was looking for a smaller race. Although this race was small, it was poorly organized and executed. The expo was outside in the rain and wind. The course marshals were not alert ( sleeping, kissing, etc.) The course was crazy- very hilly and then a hill at the end (after mile 25.) I heard from another runner it was measured wrong ( 26.6 miles)!
Race Tips
Do tons of hill training. Don't expect to use a porta-potty. There were not enough, and spectators were in line in front of marathoners. Bring warm clothes and your own food.
Charlottesville is a beautiful city with lots of running stores, paths, etc. Charlottesville 10 miler is an awesome race which is why I thought this would be better. Easy to get a hotel and get to start. Start and finish at same location with available parking. Some of the course includes trail running.
Adam Devine's review of 2017 Charlottesville Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
I ran this race on a whim, signing up the day before with my wife while on the train down to Charlottesville for a wedding. She signed up for the half marathon. I was in the middle of training for an ultra, and I was planning on doing a 22 mile tun that day anyway, so I decided to give it a go.
Pros: The course is beautiful! I used to live in Cville and the course winds through some of the prettier parts. There was plenty of water, gatordade, and gels on the course. As someone who is used to New York Road Runners events the pre and post-race festivals were small, but relatively well run affairs with very friendly staff. The course was well marked, and the portable toilets were clean.
Cons: Not enough Port-A-Potties! At the start there was a HUGE line for the one set of bathrooms. The course is wicked hilly, and seems to be a little sadistic in the fact that they put a huge incline right at the end. There were a couple of points on the course where drivers annoyingly honked at runners because roads were not fully shut down.
Overall: A great small town marathon. The only major hiccup was the line to poop pre-race. I missed the start by 4 minutes because I was waiting to use the loo.
Race Tips
Pace yourself extra conservatively. The really hilly bits are near the end, and toward the warmer part of the day, so it is tough.
Arrive to the festival early, drop your bag early, and poop early. Just stay at the OMNI downtown if you can get a room. It's a nice hotel and super close to the race start. Grab some bagels at Bodos while you're in town.
RB's review of 2017 Charlottesville Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
I am usually slow to criticize but...Pre race packet pick up was just pathetic. Parking was nearly impossible just to get there, general atmosphere of people was "what are you even doing here".
Beautiful start, beautiful rolling course.
Race Tips
Bring your own TP if you are not staying at a hotel w/in walking distance of start.
Lots of places to stay, closer to start would be best. Good luck on parking.
Nate's review of 2013 Charlottesville Marathon.
1 /
5 Stars
Review
The course is very scenic and the town has a great atmosphere. The race, unfortunately, is very poorly organized -- in 2013 the mile markers did not seem to be accurate (some with GPS watches indicated that mile marker 2 was actually closer to 2.5, for example), and the course lacked clocks reflecting time elapsed since the start. I've tried this race twice but won't be back, since it seems its organization hasn't improved.
