On your mark: It’s One City Marathon weekend in Newport News

On your mark, get set, go!

Newport News is kicking off its annual road races for runners Saturday with the main event — the One City Marathon and half marathon — Sunday. The events are back to in-person participation after they went virtual in 2021 due to the pandemic.

The weekend’s first race, the Optima Health Maritime 5K, will begin at 8 a.m. in City Center and will be followed at 9:30 a.m. by a 1-mile fun run.

This year is the first the city has offered the 5-kilometer run — the race was previously an 8K — and the first time the city and event organizers have hosted races in City Center.

Several roads in City Center will be closed or partially closed from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Racers will take to the streets again Sunday with the marathon spanning the length of the city. Runners will finish at the “Victory Arch” in the so-called Yard District in the city’s downtown.

Online registration has closed for all events. Runners can still register in person from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn in Newport News. Walk-up registration at the starting lines is available until all race spots are filled.

A full list of road closures for both days is available online at www.onecitymarathon.com/plan-your-race/.

Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com