Throngs of determined runners will have victory on their minds as they march along the Richmond’s waterfront Saturday for the annual Victory Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races.
Setting off as early as 7:30 a.m., runners of all abilities, and even hikers, will set off from the Craneway Pavilion, running south around the Marina Bay, onto the San Francisco Bay Trail, then turning back to the Craneway. The half marathon has a four-hour time limit, with running needing to reach mile 10 by 11:30 a.m., an over 20 minute-mile pace.
This year’s half marathon has a Hiker Division for those want to hike rather than run. That’s the reason for the early start time of 7:30 a.m.
Organized by Brazen Racing, the Victory Half Marathon is a tribute to WWII home front efforts along the Richmond waterfront, where hundreds of ships were built for the war effort, including 142 Victory ships, and where military vehicles were constructed at the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant.
“Thousands of dedicated women and men worked to create the means necessary to ensure our victory,” race organizers said. “It’s from their spirit of hard work and determination that we’ve named this race and hope to inspire excellence in all our runners.”
In its race literature, Brazen Racing has been directing participants to learn more about the Victory ships, namely the floating museum that is the SS Red Oak Victory, on the Richmond Museum of History website. It also provides a link to the history of the Craneway Pavilion.
