Charlottesville Marathon

Charlottesville Marathon is one of the oldest and best-loved races in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is held on April 3, 2027 in Hollymead, just north of the city. Three formats start together at 7:00 a.m.: the marathon (26.2 miles), the half marathon (13.1 miles), and an 8K (5 miles). The marathon and half share a start and finish downtown and run quiet roads, bike paths along the Rivanna River, and a stretch of the city's older neighborhoods.

This is a road race with a strong local following, run largely on the same roads Charlottesville runners use every day, which tends to make for a friendly rather than a cutthroat field. The marathon rewards a conservative opening half and a 16-week build with a weekly long run pushed out to 18 to 20 miles. The half is the better pick for a first long-distance race or a spring tune-up, and the 8K gives you a fast, hard 5 miles if you would rather race short. All three go off at 7:00 a.m., so plan an early arrival.