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Newport News readies for 11th One City Marathon; National Black Marathoners Association to convene here
Summary
City staff told council the 11th One City Marathon is on track for March 1–2, 2025, with record registration projected, a new charitable partnership with the Bayport Foundation and the National Black Marathoners Association holding its summit in Newport News.
Owen Miller, chief strategy officer for the city of Newport News, told the City Council on Jan. 28 that preparations are underway for the 11th annual One City Marathon and related weekend events on March 1–2, 2025.
Miller said last year’s field included 3,039 registrants and the city is currently projecting about a 10% increase in total entries across the weekend, which could set a new record for the race. “Last year we had 3,039 registrants. That was actually 3 short of the record,” Miller said.
The marathon is a point-to-point course that begins in Newport News Park and finishes near Victory Landing Park in downtown Newport News, Miller said. The full and half marathons finish in the city’s Yard District at Coastal Fermentary; long-course races start at 7 a.m. on Sunday and the final runners typically finish about 2 p.m. Saturday will feature shorter events (the SantaTerra 5K and the Ferguson Cares Nautical Mile) with start times Miller listed as 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and a Saturday celebration hosted by Tradition Brewing.
Why it matters: city staff said the race draws regional and national visitors, supports the city’s health and tourism goals and produces local spending for hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Miller said 39 states were represented among last year’s participants and the course has a high percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers, historically near 17 percent.
The city announced two additions for 2025. The National Black Marathoners Association (NBMA) chose Newport News as its summit host for this year’s event; Miller said “several hundred participants” from that organization are expected. Miller also said the Bayport Foundation — the charitable arm of title sponsor Bayport Credit Union — will partner with the race this year to provide scholarships and to reintroduce a charitable component for the event.
Miller credited the communications team, sponsors and about 500 volunteers with making the event possible each year. He said online registration will remain open through race weekend — a change this year intended to accommodate late sign-ups.
Council discussion focused on logistics and visitor programming. Councilman Neely asked whether the NBMA would receive a separate local agenda; Miller said tourism staff are coordinating appearances, hotel blocks and local museum visits to help visiting participants and their families experience the city.
Miller also described efforts to increase spectator energy along quieter portions of the 26-mile route, citing strong support from Newport News Public Schools and plans to add more stop locations for cheering and community activities.
Ending: Miller invited council and city employees to participate at no cost and asked council members to promote the event; he said staff will return with any race-weekend updates as needed.
