• You must be at least 14 years of age to participate. If you are under the age of 16, you must have a parent/guardian registered for training team and present for all training runs.
• Once you have registered for the Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team, there will be no refund of entry fees if you are unable to complete the program.
• Training Team entry fees are non-refundable, no exceptions. Once we receive your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate or are unable to complete the program.
• You may defer your 2024 Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team entry to the 2025 Half Marathon Training Team through August 29 for $20. After that date, there will be no more deferrals. Please note that your free entry in the 2024 CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, by itself, may not be deferred to the 2025 event.
• If you choose to run the VCU Health Richmond 8k rather than the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon on November 16, you will be allowed to do so for no additional charge.
• All SAG/water stops are cup-less so you must be prepared with your own hydration device.
• Strollers/Baby joggers and/or ANIMALS are not permitted at group runs or in the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon.
  *Please reach out to [email protected] if your animal is a certified service animal

We are excited to have back Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team Head Coach, Cheryl Groce-Wright. Cheryl is a long-time Richmond resident moving to the area in 1993 from Philadelphia. She is a native Philadelphian, raised in upstate NY (Binghamton to be exact) from age four.  She is employed in the education and nonprofit fields having worked in executive administration, counseling, program management, and social science research.  She is a proud graduate of SUNY Oswego, Univ of Pennsylvania and VCU.

Cheryl began running later in life after deciding that better fitness and weight loss were important priorities approaching the age of 50. She ran her first Ukrop’s Monument Ave 10K in 2009 having trained with the 10K Training team, and after encouragement from a Half Training Team coach decided to train for and ran her first Richmond Half Marathon in November 2009.  Months later, a bone density test revealed what would become full-blown osteoporosis by the age of 50. Having learned that weight-bearing exercise was the best way to treat and stave off the deterioration of bone density, she became a “runner” and made a commitment that her exercise regimen would always include some type of running.

Cheryl attempted (DNF) her first full marathon in September 2010 and completed a second Half in November 2010 and was hooked on “Halfs” for life.  She acted as an unofficial HMTT coach in 2011 and became an official coach for the 2012 Penguins Half Training Team.  Since then, she has completed four full marathons, over 20 Halfs, and numerous 10K & 5K events, two Sprint Triathlons, and coached every Half training team season since 2012.  She is an energetic/enthusiastic cheerleader, a get-it-done kind of person, and will be everyone’s biggest fan!!! Don’t be surprised to see her around in a T-Rex or numerous Minion regalia.

Cheryl is married to Richard (32 years) and is mom to Nigel and Carson who are both adulting, one here in Richmond, the other in San Francisco.

Have any questions, email Coach Cheryl.

You have the option to do your Group Runs on Saturday or Sunday mornings from City Stadium.

There is a four-hour time limit to complete the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, so you need to hold a 18 min/mile pace. Right now we do not have a single walking team, but we do have walking specific coaches to support you.

There will be clinics held on everything from injury prevention to nutrition to shoes. Clinic details will be posted in the early summer.

Weekly Group Training runs take place at:

Richmond City Stadium
3201 Maplewood Avenue
Richmond, VA 23221

• From the North: Interstate 95 South (exit 79) to 195 South (Downtown Expressway). Follow for 3 miles and take Rosewood Avenue Exit. Turn left on McCloy Street. Stadium is on the right.
• From the South: Interstate 95 North (exit 74) to 195 North (Downtown Expressway, TOLL road, 50 cents). Take Rosewood Avenue Exit. Turn left on McCloy Street. Stadium is on the right.
• From the West: Interstate 64 East to Interstate 195 South (Downtown Expressway). Follow for 3 miles and take Rosewood Avenue Exit. Turn left on McCloy Street. Stadium is on the right.
• From the East: 64 West to 95 South. Take 195 North (Downtown Expressway). Follow for 3 miles and take Rosewood Avenue Exit. Turn left on McCloy Street. Stadium is on the right.