West End
Sports Backers announce ‘Virginia Credit Union River City Half’ and 5k running event along the James River
Sports Backers this week announced a new half marathon event, the Virginia Credit Union River City Half and River City 5k, which will start and finish at the beautiful campus of the University of Richmond (UR) on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Sports Backers this week announced a new half marathon event, the Virginia Credit Union River City Half and River City 5k, which will start and finish at the beautiful campus of the University of Richmond (UR) on Saturday, March 9, 2024. This is the first time Sports Backers has partnered with the University as a location for an event. To help launch the new race, Sports Backers held a press announcement at UR’s Jepson Alumni Center following the Active RVA Awards this morning.
“We are very excited to announce the Virginia Credit Union River City Half,” said Molly Johnson, event director for Sports Backers. “Our goal is to inspire active living, and one thing we love about this event is that it is extremely accessible for runners and walkers of all abilities. Whether you walk or run, participate in the 5k or half, you’re guaranteed stunning views of the James River and the chance to discover Richmond beyond downtown. We’re thrilled to show off a new side of Richmond!”
The Virginia Credit Union River City Half course will lead runners through neighborhoods bordering scenic Riverside Drive and along the James River. Runners will venture across the Huguenot Bridge, run Riverside, and then make their way across the Nickel Bridge to the Carillon and through Windsor Farms back to the University of Richmond.
The 5k course will lead participants through UR’s campus and along River Road before running out and back on the Huguenot Bridge and returning and finishing near the University’s Westhampton Lake.
Virginia Credit Union has signed on as the title sponsor of the event. They were also honored as Sports Backers’ Active RVA certified Company of the Year prior to the Virginia Credit Union River City Half event announcement.
“Virginia Credit Union is thrilled to be the title sponsor of the River City Half,” said Phil Marine, Vice President of Marketing with Virginia Credit Union. “Our values closely align with Sports Backers, and we are passionate about doing everything we can to promote healthy living through both physical and financial fitness in the community. To be part of a new event that not only celebrates physical activity, but also promises to bring the community together is a winning combination for us.”
“The University of Richmond is delighted to partner with Sports Backers to welcome more of our community to enjoy our campus and support their fitness through this half-marathon,” said the University of Richmond President Kevin F. Hallock. “
All participants will receive a technical event shirt and a finisher medal. Half marathon finishers will a special finisher item as well. PR Run & Walk will be providing all the participant shirts as the event’s official running store partner.
“PR Run & Walk is ecstatic to be the official running store partner for the Virginia Credit Union River City Half,” said Keira D’Amato, owner of PR Run & Walk by Keira D’Amato and professional runner. “This route holds a special place in my heart. It’s one of my favorite places to train and just enjoy the scenery in Richmond. It’s awesome that this event will familiarize not only runners, but walkers with this Richmond gem. It’s rare when an event can cater to both without compromising either experience.”
D’Amato is currently working on the details behind a special race weekend event that promises to bring in popular figures in the running community. More details will be released soon but you can expect that it will add a unique and exciting element to race weekend.
Registration for the March 9, 2024 Virginia Credit Union River City Half and River City 5k is now open at www.sportsbackers.org/events/rivercityhalf. The Virginia Credit Union Half will be capped at 2,000 participants. More information about the event and post-race party will be added to the website as it becomes available.

Community
RVA Bike Share No Longer Biking or Sharing
The vendor Bewegen Technologies abruptly shut down and took down the current bicycle rental system with it.

Rumors were afloat yesterday of the sudden shutdown of Richmond’s bike share program. The rumor became reality when the city sent out the following press release.
Due to a last-minute, two day notice and shut down by Bewegen Technologies, the city was forced to suspend the current bicycle rental system until a new software system is in place.
Bicycles will not be available to rent while the City secures a new contractor. In the meantime, the City encourages bike share users to utilize the three e-scooter vendors – Bird, Lime, and Spin.
Once the new bike share system is operational, the City will welcome users back with free rides for everyone for 30 days.
The City is diligently working to resolve the situation and we appreciate our residents and visitors patience as we go through this transitional phase.
For more information, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or email us at [email protected]
Food & Drink
Taziki’s Mediterranean Café offering $5 gyro meals to celebrate 10th anniversary in Richmond
Taziki’s Innsbrook, Chesterfield, and Midlothian restaurants will offer $5 Grilled Chicken or Grilled Veggie Gyro meals all day on May 23 to dine-in guests.

Fast casual chain Taziki’s Mediterranean Café will honor 10 years of serving its Mediterranean fare with the Richmond community on Tuesday, May 23rd.
Taziki’s Innsbrook, Chesterfield, and Midlothian restaurants will offer $5 Grilled Chicken or Grilled Veggie Gyro meals all day on May 23 to dine-in guests.
“We are grateful to the Richmond community for these 10 wonderful years,” said operator Jona Ford. “Residents have welcomed us with open arms, and we plan to continue serving our fun, modern Mediterranean fare to the people we love for at least another 10.”
As a brand, Taziki’s Mediterranean Café is also celebrating 25 years.
Arts & Entertainment
Richmond Shakespeare Festival returns for 24th installment this June and July
The festival will run from June 1 through July 30, 2023, Thursday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 PM.

Richmond Shakespeare and Agecroft Hall & Gardens have announced the 24th Annual Richmond Shakespeare Festival. The festival will run from June 1 through July 30, 2023, Thursday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 PM.
“We are so excited to get the festival started at Agecroft Hall this summer. We have one of Shakespeare’s best comedies and a very funny adaptation of Molière’s The Misanthrope by renowned playwright, David Ives. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening,” artistic director James Ricks remarked. “The festival is a summer tradition that screams ‘You’re Very Richmond If’,” adds managing director Jase Sullivan. “The combination of theatre under the stars with the gorgeous surroundings of Agecroft Hall on the James River make for an evening of magic.”
The festival kicks off with The School for Lies by David Ives. A gleeful truth-teller, Frank is a French aristocrat who despises his society of liars and doesn’t mind telling them so. His well-aimed barbs wreak havoc in a world of pompous suitors and extravagant ladies, until rumors ricochet and alternative facts become reality. This wild farce of furious tempo and stunning verbal display, all in very contemporary couplets, runs variations on Molière’s The Misanthrope, of which it is inspired.
Closing out the season is William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. Shakespeare’s most farcical comedy tells the story of two sets of identical twins accidentally separated at birth. Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, the home of their twin brothers, Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant, Dromio of Ephesus. When the Syracusans encounter the friends and families of their twins, a series of wild mishaps, based on mistaken identities, leads to melodrama and mayhem. This contemporary take on Shakespeare’s shortest play promises to be a hilarious evening for the whole family.
Agecroft Hall executive director Anne Kenny-Urban invites patrons to, “come wander through our gardens, enjoy a picnic with your friends on the lawn, and then sit back and be entertained by a wonderfully comic romp by Richmond Shakes. They breathe new life into Shakespeare, and you will leave relaxed, happy and full of special memories.” This summer’s festival features returning favorite vendors including Garden Grove Brewing and Urban Winery, who will be on-site Thursday through Saturday evenings with beers and wine.
In addition, the festival will include several new vendors throughout the season. Thursday through Sunday evenings will feature various ice cream and frozen treat vendors. Kismet Market will offer a variety of stalls featuring local makers June 10-11 and July 15-16. Kenny-Urban adds “with all of these offerings in addition to the beautiful setting and the classic plays at the center of it all, the Richmond Shakespeare Festival offers a uniquely Richmond experience to tantalize all of your senses.”
Tickets for the 24th Annual Richmond Shakespeare Festival are on sale now. Visit www.richmondshakespeare.org for more information and to purchase tickets.