History
The inaugural marathon in 1978 saw 1,183 take part in the main event with an additional 900 in the 8 km run and 639 in the half marathon. David Ruggles was the first winner of the marathon with a time of 2:28:49. Bobbie Allen was the first female winner with a time of 3:15:40.
The marathon suffered a decline in participation during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with just 434 taking part in 1992. In 1998 the half marathon was dropped, and participation in the main event tripled. Today combined entries for the 8 km, kids run and the marathon exceed 10,000. The 2008 schedule saw the return of the half marathon.
The current course record is held by Andrei Gordeev of Belarus, who ran 2:14:32 in 2005. The female record is held by Irina Suvorova who ran 2:31:25 in 2000.
Read more about this topic: Richmond Marathon
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