My Marathon Dilemma

As is customary during marathon training season for coaches for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, we sacrifice our Richmond race for our team. We are on the course for all of the excitement and to support our runners, but this is not our fall race. We typically choose another race to run. The last time we ran live on the traditional course was in 2019, and my race that year was the Marine Corps Marathon. 

This year, I’ve been a bit slow on the trigger button for signing up for a fall marathon. As many races were canceled once again due to Covid, I was grateful I had delayed. Marine Corps, as most of us know, was canceled this year not because of Covid, but because of security concerns. I guess with the events in January and with others who have driven into DC with cars full of explosives or firearms, this was a wise decision. I’m really happy that some big races like Chicago and NYC are proceeding as planned. 

I was contemplating running a new marathon in northern Virginia, but a new opportunity has just emerged. When MCM was canceled, our head coach decided that we would have the opportunity to run a virtual course the weekend our team runs 20. She is tacking on a 6.2 mile bit at the end so those of us who need to run a virtual race can do so. Sure, it’s not the same as a run on an official course with crowds and views of a new town, but it is with my team and with support. It will have to do. The Richmond Marathon, then, will be my race, virtually. 

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Are you training for a fall marathon or half marathon? Is your race proceeding as planned? I’d love to hear about it! The Richmond Marathon is still planned to be an in person event on November 13th on our traditional route. There are full marathon, half marathon, and 8k distances, with the option to do all 3 for a special medal (with two of the three being run virtually). If you don’t have a race, maybe this one can be yours! Richmond was my first, and still my favorite marathon. 

As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.