Sports Backers Marathon
Training Team
Training Team
June 1- November 16, 2013
Running a marathon is tough enough. Throw in the training, and you’ve got yourself quite a challenge. Good thing we’re ready to take it on with you! With the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, you’ll find yourself not just equipped with a detailed 24-week program, but a great crew of experienced coaches and inspirational teammates as well. One of our favorite perks? A dedicated SAG team that supports the longer group runs. That’s right… water stops, PowerAde and gummy bears while you TRAIN. So let Richmond’s running community carry you to 26.2… when you hit that final stretch at the Nov. 16 Anthem Richmond Marathon, you’ll be glad you didn’t go it alone!
Here is what some of last year’s participants had to say about the program:
“There is no way I could have crossed the finish line – or even made it to the start – without the training team.”
- Beth Morgan
“This journey has been a life-transforming event.”
- Trong Nguyen
“MTT is a wonderful way to stay motivated to run a marathon.”
- Carrie Griffith
Cost
| Through May 24 | $160 |
| May 25 – June 23 | $175 |
Cost Includes:
- 24-week training program (beginning Sat., 6/1 or Sun., 6/2) with a detailed written schedule.
- Personal guidance from a team of experienced coaches.
- Organized and supported weekly group runs on your choice of Saturday or Sunday mornings.
- Teams determined by experience and ability so you’re training with others of similar pace.
- Sports Backers Marathon Training shirt and a technical race shirt.
- 2013 Anthem Richmond Marathon entry and all associated race benefits (including participant shirt).
- Access to clinics on nutrition, running attire and other related topics.
Registration
- Online through Sunday, June 23.
- Sign up in person at one of the informational meetings listed below
- Print out a form and mail it in with a check.
Please Note:
- Entry fees are non-refundable and entries are non-transferable, no exceptions.
- Already signed up for the marathon and want to participate in the training team? No problem! Just click here on Switching-races and follow the prompts. The system will charge you the difference between the marathon and the training team. If you originally paid by check, send a check made out to Sports Backers for the difference in price between the training team fee and your marathon entry fee you’ve paid for the event. Just indicate if you’d like to train on Saturday or Sunday, with the early or late group (7 or 7:30), and whether you'd consider yourself a novice or intermediate. Also include your typical pace/mile and your most recent 10k time.
- If you choose to run the American Family Fitness Half Marathon or HCA Virginia 8k, rather than the Anthem Richmond Marathon, you will be charged the standard $10 fee to switch races.
- All Training Team fees must be received by June 23 in order to participate in the program.
Schedule
Informational Meetings
You do not need to attend a meeting in order to join the program.
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Anthem Health & Fitness Expo for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k (Arthur Ashe Athletic Center) | Thurs, April 11 |
12:30 & 6 p.m. |
| Anthem Health & Fitness Expo for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k (Arthur Ashe Athletic Center) | Fri, April 12 |
12:30 & 6 p.m. |
| Midlothian American Family Fitness | Tues, May 7 | 7 p.m. |
| West End American Family Fitness | Thurs, May 9 | 7 p.m. |
| West End American Family Fitness | Wed, May 15 | 7 p.m. |
| Virginia Center Commons American Family Fitness | Thurs, May 23 | 6 p.m. |
| Sports Backers Stadium | Wed, May 29 | 6 p.m. |
GROUP RUNS – What to Expect
- Location: Sports Backers Stadium (behind the Diamond)
- Days: Saturday or Sunday morning*
- Time: varies by day and team.
* During registration, you may select Saturday or Sunday for your group runs. There is a limit of 800 participants for the Saturday sessions and 400 participants for the Sunday sessions.
The first day (Saturday, June 1 or Sunday, June 2), there will be a brief introductory meeting at 7:30 a.m. followed by a group run. The following week, Saturday groups will head out between 7-7:30 a.m. (depending on your team) and all Sunday groups will go off at 7 a.m. From early July until Labor Day, start times will be 30 minutes earlier to beat the summer heat.
Requirements
- You should be able to comfortably finish four miles while primarily running (in no more than 52 minutes) several times per week prior to the start of training.
- The Anthem Richmond Marathon has a 7-hour time limit, which would require running a good portion of the 26.2 miles.
- There is no "walking" group for the training team.
- You must be 18 years or older to join the training team.
Head Coach
Veteran marathon training team coach, Don Garber, will again lead the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team. He has helped thousands of first-time marathoners successfully complete the 26.2-mile distance in races around the country and overseas, including the past 12 Richmond Marathons. Most of the coaches who have assisted Don in prior years will also be returning.
Sean Cusack will help lead the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team in 2013. Sean has been a coach with the Team for the past 8 years and was a participant in 2003 and 2004. Sean has worked with runners of all experience levels in their quest to run a marathon and has a great knack for mixing humor with his running messages. Sean was also the head coach for the Sports Backers Duathlon Training Team.
Other Races
Throughout the 24-week program, some local races may be used as training runs. These races may require additional entry fees and will be optional.
Sports Backers HALF Marathon Training Team
Is 26.2 a little much? We also offer a Half Marathon Training Team to train for the American Family Fitness Half Marathon, a companion race of the Nov. 16 Anthem Richmond Marathon. The 14-week program will begin August 10 and has the same great support system as the full training team.
(If you register for the Marathon Training Team and then decide to switch to the Half Marathon Training Team, you may do so for a $10 fee.)
For more information about the Sports Backers HALF Marathon Training Team, click here.
Entry Confirmation click here
Don't want to register online?
Print out a form and mail it in.
When
Sat, June 01, 2013Where
Sports Backers Stadium
100 Avenue of Champions
Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23230
