As the name implies, the One City Marathon in Newport News was founded as an opportunity to bring the city together.
Heading into the fifth edition of the race and surrounding events this weekend, City Manager Cindy Rohlf said it has been successful on that front.
Naturally flat and geographically long, the physical specs of Newport News are conducive to a distance race. The 26.2-mile route starts Sunday at Newport News Park and heads south through some of the city’s most scenic spots, ending at the Victory Arch in Victory Landing Park.
The marathon relay, Maritime 8K, Nautical Mile fun run and new half-marathon are Sunday as well.
About 2,500 people have registered for one of the races, and more are expected to register for the various events this weekend and on race day, said Jason Todd, president of Flat-Out Events, which coordinates the One City Marathon with the city.
Todd said that number is an uptick from last year. About 550 people registered for the new half marathon, contributing to the higher overall number of participants, Todd said.
The total amount of runners is about on par with past years, according to Todd. The second year of the marathon had the largest turnout in the five-year history, which Todd attributed to nice weather leading up to and the day of the race.
Along with runners physically connecting the north and south by trekking through the city, the marathon offers people the chance to connect by heading to locations on the route to cheer on runners.
Rohlf said that’s one of the places where she sees the “One City” mantra played out. At the races, expos, classes and other marathon-related events over the past four years, Rohlf said she’s seen people come together to celebrate the city and support one another.
The race also supports others: each year proceeds have benefited local charities. This year a portion of profits will go to The Boys and Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula and Students Run the Streets, an after-school running club for underprivileged middle- and high-school students.
Many city employees choose to participate, and some departments come up with ways to challenge each other in the races, Rohlf said, highlighting a team of police officers who ran the relay last year in uniform to honor municipal, state, federal and military protectors.
She added that seeing runners travel to Newport News for the race and come back year after year shows that the experience has been a positive one. Runners in past years have expressed appreciation for the support they get along the route, saying the number of people out cheering rivals larger, more-established races.
Rohlf said the city is committed to continue holding the One City Marathon with the help of local sponsors and community support. The city typically budgets $100,000 for the marathon, but the actual expense of this year’s marathon events won’t be calculated until after it is completed.
Here’s what to expect this weekend, whether you’re a runner, spectator or just trying to get somewhere along the route.
When
The marathon and marathon relay start at 7 a.m. Sunday at Newport News Park.
The half marathon starts at 7 a.m. Sunday at Menchville High School, 275 Menchville Road.
The Maritime 8K starts at 8:15 a.m. Sunday near City Hall and loops through the downtown area.
The Nautical Mile starts at 10:30 a.m. Sunday near City Hall and takes a route up to 29th Street and back.
Transportation
Buses will take runners from parking in downtown Newport News to the start at Newport News Park. Buses start running at 5 a.m. from 23rd Street and West Avenue in downtown Newport News. Last bus to the start line leaves at 6 a.m.
Runners can park vehicles in one of 11 downtown parking areas. For a map of locations, go to bit.ly/2BUb5N4.
Weather
Sunday’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies and a 50 percent chance of showers with a high of around 54 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is expected to come mostly late in the day, continuing into the night, as a low pressure system tracks through the area.
Things to do
The One City Health and Wellness Expo is open from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Denbigh Community Center, 15198 Warwick Blvd. The expo will feature more than 30 health, fitness and apparel vendors, fitness classes and health screenings. Riverside Health System also will be conducting free running analyses.
A new event this year, the city is hosting a Women’s Forum 1-6 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn Newport News, 980 Omni Blvd. The forum is themed “Fiercely Empowered Women” and will include panels and discussions on small businesses and careers, mental and physical health, and fashion and beauty. Crystal Harper, a WVEC meteorologist, will deliver a keynote address. Harper is an Air Force veteran and previously was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and spent much of 2017 in treatment, according to The Virginian-Pilot. She was declared cancer-free in December 2017 and was back on television in January 2018.
CANCELED: The Family Fit and Fun Day that was scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday was called off because of inclement weather.
A pre-race pasta dinner is 6 p.m. Saturday at Tradition Brewing Company, 700 Thimble Shoals Blvd. Tickets for the buffet-style dinner cost $15
The post-race One City One Celebration will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the superblock site, Washington Avenue between 27th and 26th Streets. The celebration offers live music and food vendors. Runners can also get a free massage at the recovery area. Attendance is free and open to the public.
Schools participating along route
Woodside High School students will host a cheer station in front of the school.
Denbigh High School looks to claim back-to-back Hometown Spirit Awards, again hosting a cheer station, manned by students, staff and parents at the corner of Denbigh Boulevard and Lucas Creek Road.
Warwick High School is coordinating a cheer station to support runners, including 10 teachers and administrators.
Ten Enterprise Academy students stuffed bags for runners.
Teams of elementary school students are running in the Nautical Mile, chief of staff Rashard Wright is participating the half-marathon and chief academic officer Brian Nichols is running the marathon, among other staff members.
Business closures/delays
Monty’s at 9607 Warwick Blvd. will be closed Sunday.
The YMCA at 7827 Warwick Blvd. is delaying opening until 1:30 p.m.
Church services
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 45 Main St. will not have morning services Sunday. It will have a combined service at 5 p.m., followed by an Italian supper party.
Full road closures
Along the marathon route:
25th Street, from Washington Avenue to West Avenue, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
42nd Street, from Huntington Avenue to Washington Avenue, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Burns Avenue, from Randolph Road to Franklin Road, 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Cedar Road, from Warwick Boulevard to Botetourt Road, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Chapman Way, from Industrial Park Drive to Cul-de-Sac, 6-9 a.m.
Constitution Way (Newport News Park, general public) from Jefferson Avenue to Ft. Eustis Boulevard, 6-9 a.m.
Edwards Court, from Industrial Park Drive to Cul-de-Sac, 6-9:30 a.m.
Flagstone Way, from Industrial Park Drive to Cul-de-Sac, 6-9:30 a.m.
Franklin Road, from Burns Avenue to Warwick Boulevard, 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ft. Eustis Boulevard, from Jefferson Avenue to Richneck Road 6-9 a.m.
Industrial Park Drive, from Woodside Lane to Jefferson Avenue, 6-9 a.m.
Industrial Park Drive, from Ridgeview Drive to Warwick Boulevard, 6-9:30 a.m.
Lucas Creek road, from Beechmont Drive to Avis Circle, 6-10 a.m.
Museum Drive, from Museum Drive to Museum Parkway 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Museum Parkway, from Riverside Drive to Cedar Lane 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Randolph Road, from River Road to Burns Avenue, 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
University Place, from Warwick Boulevard to Shoe Lane, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Washington Avenue, from 39th Street to 25th Street, 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Woodside Lane, from Ft. Eustis Boulevard to Industrial Park Drive 6-9 a.m.
Along the Maritime 8k route:
23rd Street, from West Avenue to Huntington Avenue, 7-8:45 a.m.
29th Street, from Huntington Avenue to Warwick Boulevard, 7-9 a.m.
61st Street, from Warwick Boulevard to Huntington Avenue, 7-9 a.m.
Martin Luther King I-664 overpass, from Huntington Avenue to Jefferson Avenue, 7-9 a.m.
Along the Nautical Mile route
23rd Street, from West Avenue to Warwick Boulevard, 9:30-10:45 a.m.
25th Street, from Warwick Boulevard to Huntington Avenue, 9:30-11:15 a.m.
Warwick Boulevard, from 23rd Street to 29th Street, 9:30-11:15 a.m.
Road closures for the One City One Celebration begin 8 a.m. Saturday and are in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday
23rd Street, from West Avenue to Cul-de-Sac
25th Street, from Washington Avenue to West Avenue
26th Street, from Huntington Avenue to Cul-de-Sac
27th Street, from Huntington Avenue to Washington Avenue
28th Street, from Huntington Avenue to Cul-de-Sac
West Avenue, from 23rd Street to 26th Street
Partial road closures
The following sections of roadway will be open to traffic in both directions, but all traffic will be on one side of the road:
Denbigh Boulevard, from Catalina Drive to Spaulding Drive, 6-11 a.m.
Industrial Park Drive, from Jefferson Avenue to Ridgeview Drive, 6-9:30 a.m.
Lucas Creek Road, from Warwick Boulevard to Thalia Drive, 6-10 a.m.
Warwick Boulevard, from Waterworks Way to Lucas Creek Road, 6-10 a.m.
Warwick Boulevard, from Oyster Point Road to University Place, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The following sections of roadway will be closed in one direction of travel:
28th Street, westbound, from Jefferson Avenue to Huntington Avenue, 7-8:45 a.m.
Beechmont Drive, westbound, from Delaura Drive to Moyer Road, 6-10:30 a.m.
Boxley Boulevard, eastbound, from Menchville Road to Warwick Boulevard, 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cedar Lane, eastbound, from River Road to Botetourt Road, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Denbigh Boulevard, eastbound, from Catalina Drive to Moyer Road, 6-11 a.m.
Jefferson Avenue, southbound, from 28th Street to 25th Street 7-8:30 a.m.
Lucas Creek Road, southbound, from Denbigh Boulevard to Menchville Road, 6-11:30 a.m.
Main Street, westbound, from Warwick Boulevard to River Road, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Menchville Road, northbound, from Lucas Creek Road to Boxley Boulevard, 6 a.m. to noon
Moyer Road, southbound, from Beechmont Drive to Denbigh Boulevard, 6-11 a.m.
Old Ft. Eustis Boulevard, eastbound, from Stable Road to Woodside Lane, 6-9 a.m.
River Road, southbound, from Main Street to Randolph Road, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Washington Avenue, northbound, from 39th Street to 44th Street, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Warwick Boulevard, southbound, from Randolph Road to Huntington Avenue 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Warwick Boulevard, southbound, from Harpersville Road to Main Street, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Warwick Boulevard, southbound, from Center Avenue to Huntington Avenue, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Visit onecitymarathon.com/plan-your-race/ to view a complete list of intersections that will be blocked during portions of the race.
3:05 p.m. March 3: Updated to reflect the Family Fit and Fun Day has been canceled Saturday because of inclement weather.
![Baseball 757Teamz Top 15 #2 Cox 7, Kempsville 6 Michael Barreiro’s RBI bunt single with 2 outs in the bottom of the seventh capped a four-run seventh inning, securing the victory for the Falcons. #7 First Colonial 10, Landstown 5 Wes Stubbe, Ryan Dugan, and Joey Karpovich combined for 7 hits for First Colonial. Cade Howlett earned the win on the mound, striking out 5 batters. #14 Princess Anne 15, Bayside 0 Brae Williams hit his first career home run, and Reid Vandergrift added a 2-run homer. Luke Sweeney showcased strong pitching, allowing only 3 hits through 5 innings. Beach […]](https://www.dailypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/202306011631TMS_____BESTREVW_B4488E18F790DA0D4D6910F30FFFB39_41170-4.jpg?w=620 "Baseball 757Teamz Top 15 #2 Cox 7, Kempsville 6 Michael Barreiro’s RBI bunt single with 2 outs in the bottom of the seventh capped a four-run seventh inning, securing the victory for the Falcons. #7 First Colonial 10, Landstown 5 Wes Stubbe, Ryan Dugan, and Joey Karpovich combined for 7 hits for First Colonial. Cade Howlett earned the win on the mound, striking out 5 batters. #14 Princess Anne 15, Bayside 0 Brae Williams hit his first career home run, and Reid Vandergrift added a 2-run homer. Luke Sweeney showcased strong pitching, allowing only 3 hits through 5 innings. Beach […]")
