A weekend of running
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon closed many of Richmond’s main streets over the weekend to hold its annual running festival. At 29 years old, the marathon has earned the reputation as “America’s friendliest marathon.” The 3,933 runners traveled up Monument Avenue, through VCU’s campus, then along the James River, finishing at 10th and Cary streets.
The SunTrust Richmond Marathon closed many of Richmond’s main streets over the weekend to hold its annual running festival. At 29 years old, the marathon has earned the reputation as “America’s friendliest marathon.”
The 3,933 runners traveled up Monument Avenue, through VCU’s campus, then along the James River, finishing at 10th and Cary streets. Runners had water and sports drinks stops but also gummy bear, cookies and soda stops at miles 16 and 22. Washcloth stations were available at 17 and 23, right before the finish line. Bagels, fruit, pizza, water and families waited at the finish line. Medical aid was nearby at multiple points along the way.
ChampionChip timing system, a plastic chip attached to the shoelaces of the runners, calculated the runners’ times. The timing started when runners crossed the starting line and ended promptly at the runner’s cross of the finish line.
Asnake Fekadu, an Ethiopian from Silver Spring, Md., won the marathon and the $2,500 prize with his time of 2:20:22.
The NTELOS 8K also was this weekend, taking runners around Richmond on a similar course as the marathon runners. Runners had the option to form teams of five.
Samuel Ndereba won the NTELOS 8K with a time of 22:19. He received a $1,000 prize. Ndereba’s sister, Catherine Ndereba, is a world marathon champion.
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