Richmond Marathon not participating in tough ecomomic times

Tough economic conditions seem not to have affected the SunTrust Richmond Marathon.

Race officials say record participation is possible in the 26.2-mile marathon and the 13.1-mile McDonald's Half Marathon despite a nationwide recession that has chilled sports from NASCAR to high school. The existing records: 5,109 for the marathon, set in 2007; 4,616 for the half marathon, set last year.

Race director Jon Lugbill, the executive director of the Metro Richmond Sports Backers, said the frugality inherent in road racing becomes an invaluable ally in times such as these.

"Running costs you next to nothing," Lugbill said. "You buy a pair of shoes and a pair of shorts and away you go."

Moreover, he said, there are few better defenses against stress - physical or emotional - than optimum fitness.

"I think the concept of fitness and the perceived value of a healthy lifestyle are gaining traction, definitely," he said. "You don't have to get laid off to know that there's a lot of stress in a recession. Everyone feels it. One of the best and most positive ways to deal with [stress] is to be active and physically fit."

The 32nd installment of Richmond's annual celebration of road racing will unfold Saturday morning on Broad between 7th and 9th streets. The HCA Virginia 8K will begin at 7, the half-marathon at 7:30 and the 26.2-mile race at 8.

The 8K entry record, 6,006 was set in 2007 - the year before the half-marathon was restored to the Richmond menu following a 10-year absence.

Lugbill said participants and spectators likely will notice tweaks to the full and half-marathon courses. The 26.2-mile course, he said, has been adjusted to send runners through the Libbie and Grove shopping enclave. The half-marathon will no longer visit Sports Backers Stadium. It will, however, make an extended loop through Bryan Park in north Richmond.

Said Lugbill: "The half-marathon course will be considerably nicer than it was a year ago."

Also noteworthy:

• Race organizers have, for the first time, established a half-marathon party zone. It will be located in Bryan Park Picnic Shelter No.1. The three marathon party zones will be located at Starbuck's in the River Road Shopping Center (Mile 7), CVS on Forest Hill Ave. (Mile 12.9) and CVS on the Boulevard (Mile 19).

• Runner's World magazine will participate in force. Fifteen Runner's World editors and staff members are expected to run Saturday's marathon. They will be accompanied by approximately 200 readers who paid $250 apiece to take part in the magazine's Marathon Challenge.

On-line registration is available through midnight Wednesday (http://www.richmondmarathon.com). Walk-up registration is available Thursday (5-9 p.m.) and Friday (11 a.m.-9 p.m.) at the Health and Fitness Expo at the Arthur Ashe Center. Walk-up registration fees: $105 (full), $90 (half), $40 (8K).

Contact Vic Dorr Jr. at