The American Family Fitness half in Richmond Half is my hometown race and ran the same day as the marathon. I have run it few years now and really love the course. Parking is usually a little challenging to find race day, so you do need to allow time to park and walk to the start area. There are plentiful P-O-P stationed at the start area and along the course. This is a huge race and runs in waves. I started 2015, 13 minutes after gun time and there were still a lot waves behind us.
The course is lined with cowbell ringers, school bands, cheering squads, and dj’s.
This is a fast, fairly flat course, with less than 200 ft. of elevation gain. There is a hill around mile 3 as you pass The Diamond and hills in Bryan Park, which is about the half way point on the course. The course gets a bit tight during the Bryan park section, but I am usually distracted by how pretty the fall leaves look that time of year. The course opens up to nice wide roads as you leave the park.
The half and the marathon course, finish with a huge downhill steep slope, 87 feet down. It is a great way to end because you are tired, but you really have to be careful not to pound your legs. I always do my best and let gravity do its thing...and each year that last mile is my fastest!
At the finish, you receive your medal and a blanket to wrap up in. It is a really soft fleece, and the design changes each year, as does the medal. 2015 we also got an awesome hat!
The finish area gets a little crazy with congestion, so it is good to pick a landmark to meet people by if you are trying to meet up with friends or family. Post-race food and beer is available on Brown’s Island.
This is a must try at least once. It is a very enjoyable run, with great crowd support that has a true huge event feel.