Known for its rolling green hills, gorgeous farmlands and famous residents such as John Grisham, Sissy Spacek and the fact that it served as the home base and launching pad for the Dave Matthews Band, the city of Charlottesville plays host each spring to more than 1,000 runners at the Charlottesville Marathon & Half Marathon.
Charlottesville Marathon Half Marathon & 8k
April 5, 2025
Charlottesville
Road
Ready to sign up?
500-1000
Fast & Flat
Urban
High: 64°
/ Low: 41°
Named by the New York Times as one of the country’s top destination marathons, the Charlottesville races take runners on a tour of the countryside outside the city that has taken shape over the centuries since Thomas Jefferson first conceived plans for the University of Virginia, now home to more than 20,000 students and known for its beautiful architecture and rolling green campus lawns as well as for the quality of its academic reputation.
From the starting line at Knight’s Gambit Vineyard outside of downtown Charlottesville, runners will head north, weaving their way up the quiet country roads. You’ll catch views of Shenandoah National Park along the way, along with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the finish line. You’ll also pass horse farms and wineries while running along the mixture of pavement and gravel.
You’ll run over Moormans River and Wards Creek — twice, in fact, as you’ll reach the turnaround point just after running over the creek. From there you’ll head south back to the finish line.
Runners in the half marathon have a course time limit of 3.5 hours. The race directors state that walkers are allowed in the 8K — which means that the full and the half marathon are reserved for runners — so the time limit doesn’t allow for walkers to participate in this race.
Overview
Known for its rolling green hills, gorgeous farmlands and famous residents such as John Grisham, Sissy Spacek and the fact that it served as the home base and launching pad for the Dave Matthews Band, the city of Charlottesville plays host each spring to more than 1,000 runners at the Charlottesville Marathon & Half Marathon.
Course Description
Named by the New York Times as one of the country’s top destination marathons, the Charlottesville races take runners on a tour of the countryside outside the city that has taken shape over the centuries since Thomas Jefferson first conceived plans for the University of Virginia, now home to more than 20,000 students and known for its beautiful architecture and rolling green campus lawns as well as for the quality of its academic reputation.
From the starting line at Knight’s Gambit Vineyard outside of downtown Charlottesville, runners will head north, weaving their way up the quiet country roads. You’ll catch views of Shenandoah National Park along the way, along with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the finish line. You’ll also pass horse farms and wineries while running along the mixture of pavement and gravel.
You’ll run over Moormans River and Wards Creek — twice, in fact, as you’ll reach the turnaround point just after running over the creek. From there you’ll head south back to the finish line.
Runners in the half marathon have a course time limit of 3.5 hours. The race directors state that walkers are allowed in the 8K — which means that the full and the half marathon are reserved for runners — so the time limit doesn’t allow for walkers to participate in this race.
