Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team

We’re excited to announce that our Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team is still on…we’ll be switching a few things up this year, but your favorite parts of training will be the same!  HMTT is a huge part of our summer, and we hope you will consider signing up to be part of the HMTT family. 
 
The Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team will be held virtually for the first week of training (Aug 8/9) to ensure that we can all safely meet each other via Zoom. Week 2 we’re ready to run – and will meet in smaller teams at City Stadium (or other areas around town depending on coach comfort levels) with some other social distance measures being put into effect. Your weekly training schedule will be virtual, so you can have easy access to your schedule anywhere you go. You’ll still have a supportive team of coaches and friends that are ready to help you every step of your journey to 13.1! 

COVID-19 Registration Updates

• Available deferral of your 2020 Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team entry to the 2021 Half Marathon Training Team through September 30 at no cost
• Extended registration to September 30 and eliminated the price increase, keeping the price at $140 for the remainder of the registration period.
• If you choose to wait to register for HMTT you should be able to comfortably meet the following fitness levels:
  • 5 miles by August 29
  • 8 miles by September 26

COVID-19 Training Updates

• Virtual opening weekend to kick off HMTT on August 8/9 to avoid congregating in a large group for an extended amount of time.
• Staggered group run start times and potentially multiple start locations, beginning with in-person training August 15/16
• Limited SAG support – we encourage participants to always bring their own hydration and nutrition
• Further alternatives, modifications, and new approaches possible based on future guidelines to guarantee health and safety of runners

HMTT Registration Includes

• 14-week training program starting virtually on Saturday, August 8, or Sunday, August 9 (you choose the day), with a detailed schedule for you to follow.
• Personal guidance from our veteran team of experienced coaches
• Organized and supported weekly group Saturday or Sunday morning runs (in-person runs to begin August 15 & 16)
• A special Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team shirt and technical race shirt
• FREE entry in the 2020 Richmond Half Marathon and all associated race benefits
• Special Race Day support from coaches along the course
• Clinics on subjects like nutrition, running attire, and other related topics
• How To Videos
• Fitness & Post Run Recovery Videos
• SAG “care package” for you

New HMTT Head Coach

This year we welcome our new Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team Head Coach, Cheryl Groce-Wright. This comes after long-time head coach, Ro Gammon, retired and hand selected Cheryl as her replacement. It is safe to say we are all in good hands!

Email: cheryl@sportsbackers.org

Sports Backers created Kids Run RVA to make running & active living fun & easy. Kids Run RVA promotes physical activity to youth across the Richmond region & encourages more kids to get moving more often. Between our programs & events, Kids Run RVA instills healthy habits that continue to flourish into adolescence & adulthood.

The Covid-19 pandemic forced schools to close their doors, but moving is not cancelled. Kids Run RVA has a library of free online video workouts designed especially for kids!

Let’s Go, RVA! Sports Backers‘ mission is to inspire people from all corners of our community to live actively. We are a non-profit org. dedicated to producing quality sporting events & programs that motivate residents & visitors to be more active, supporting youth running & fitness programs, & advocating for safe bike & pedestrian infrastructure. 

Recently, we had to stop in-person Spring events & programming. Our staff is working hard to create virtual & social distancing options including virtual fitness classes, kids physical activity videos, & fun workout challenges/events.