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. 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.