Ashland Half Marathon & 5K to kick off Saturday

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Sports Backers and the Richmond Road Runners Club are bringing the Ashland Half Marathon & 5K back to Hanover County again this year, with the fun set to kick off on Saturday.

Organizers tout these two combined races as an incredible chance to explore small-town Virginia. Ashland, dubbed “The Center of the Universe,” is packed full of historic homes, restaurants and breweries — and runners might even get a chance to see a passing train.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24. The half-marathon will start at 6:30 a.m. and the 5K will start at 7:05 a.m., with the starting line for both located in downtown Ashland. You can find detailed course information here .

As of the time of reporting, the 5K is sold out — but you can still grab tickets for the half-marathon online here .

In addition to the race details, themselves, those who may be in Hanover County the day of these races should note that there will be a variety of closures throughout Ashland.

According to the Ashland Police Department, the following intersections will be significantly affected on Saturday during the respective time periods listed:

• England Street & Center Street (Mile 1): 6:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m.
• S. James Street & Hanover Avenue (Mile 2.5): 6:38 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• Hanover Avenue & Elmont Road (Mile 3.25): 6:50 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
• Yowell Road & Elmont Road (Mile 3.75 & Mile 4.75): 7:00 a.m. to 7:50 a.m.
• Yowell Road & Blanton Road (Mile 6.25): 7:30 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.
• Blanton Road at Winston Road (Mile 7.5): 7:30 a.m. to 08:30 a.m.
• Blanton Road & Route 54 (Mile 8.25): 7:30 a.m. to 08:30 a.m.
• Blanton Road & Independence Road (Mile 9): 7:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.
• Independence Road & Blunts Bridge Road (Mile 10): 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• N. James Street between Henry Clay Road and Carter Forest Drive: 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

In general, police ask that drivers use caution when moving throughout Ashland on Saturday. Members of the Ashland Police Department, the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Hanover County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will join race volunteers in both directing traffic and monitoring the event.

Those with questions can contact the Ashland Police Department at 804-412-0600.

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