Power the Hype in Newport News: One City Marathon Weekend & Beyond
Power the Hype in Newport News: One City Marathon Weekend & Beyond
Episode 15 of Marrying Your Passions: The DINK Travel and Adventure Podcast
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| Nathan crossing the finish line at the Newport News One City Marathon in 2015 |
Episode Overview
We're back to our marathon roots! After our epic 2024 road trip series and Virgin Voyages deep-dive, Episode 15 returns to what started it all: combining marathon running with exploring new destinations.
Nathan ran the inaugural One City Marathon in Newport News, Virginia back in 2015 his state #17 in the quest to run all 50 states as part of the 50 States Marathon Club. Now, 11 years later, we're sharing that experience PLUS exclusive insider info from the City of Newport News about this year's "Power the Hype" 2026 celebration.
Whether you're a runner training for Boston, a spectator supporting someone racing, a DINK/SINK traveler looking for a Virginia getaway, or just someone who loves maritime history and museums, this episode has something for you!
Power the Hype: Newport News's 2026 Theme
Here's what makes 2026 special in Newport News: "Power the Hype" is the city's official theme for the ENTIRE year, and the One City Marathon kicks it all off!
This isn't just about running 26.2 miles. The city has created a year-long celebration focused on:
And it all starts with race weekend: February 27 - March 1, 2026.
Race Weekend Events (Open to EVERYONE!)
Here's what we love: ALL of these events are open to the public. You don't have to be running to participate!
Friday Night: Kickoff Crawl (5-9 PM)
Location: City Center on Mariners Row
What's happening:
Why it's perfect: This is exactly what makes race weekends memorable. It's not just about the run, it's about experiencing local culture, meeting other runners and locals, and being part of something bigger. Plus, you're supporting local businesses just by showing up!
Saturday: Celebration at Tradition Brewing Company (8 AM - Noon)
Location: City Center (short walk from 5K/Nautical Mile finish line)
What's happening:
Perfect for: Post-5K celebration, or if you're running Sunday's marathon and want to cheer on Saturday's runners while carb-loading with local beer and food!
Sunday: Celebration at The Yard District (8 AM - 2 PM)
Location: The Yard District downtown along 23rd Street (at the Victory Arch finish line)
What's happening:
Why we love this: Non-runners (like Alicia!) have a PLACE to celebrate too. You're not just waiting around, you're part of the party. This is what makes smaller city marathons so special.
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| Victory Arch in Newport News, VA (pubic domain courtesy of Mytwocents) |
The Race: One City Marathon
Let's talk about the actual race! Here's what you need to know:
The Course
Nathan's 2015 Race Stats:
Other Race Distances:
Race Size: 400-500 marathon finishers
This is perfect if you want a well-organized race without the overwhelming logistics of a world major. You can actually get great photos at both start and finish lines!
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| Nathan's race bib (it got a little dirty, lol) and finisher's medal. |
Why Run One City Marathon?
Who should consider this race:
Boston Qualifier Seekers: That 13-20% BQ rate is no joke. The flat, fast, point-to-point course is ideal for PR attempts.
50 States Marathon Club Members: Need Virginia? This was Nathan's Virginia race!
Runners Who Like Point-to-Point Courses: No out-and-back sections. You're seeing new scenery the entire way.
First-Time Marathoners: Smaller field (not overwhelming), well-organized, supportive community, easy logistics.
Early Season Marathoners: March race timing is perfect if you're training through winter.
People Who Want the Full Experience: With the Power the Hype events, you're getting way more than just a race.
Download the One City Marathon App!
Pro tip: Get the official app (available on App Store and Google Play) for:
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| Screenshot of the app's home screen. |
What We Did in Newport News (2015)
Now let's talk about what to DO when you're not running or cheering!
Where We Stayed: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Newport News Airport
Travel style note: This was 2015, pre-timeshare era for us. We were much more budget-conscious back then! Now we'd probably look for a timeshare exchange or mid-level chain hotel. But the Microtel worked great for a race weekend.
The Mariners' Museum: $1 Admission!
Yes, you read that right. ONE DOLLAR.
What you get for that dollar:
Time needed: Plan for at least 2-3 hours for the museum, longer if you want to walk the trail.
Why we loved it: This is a REAL museum with incredible artifacts, not a tourist trap. The USS Monitor display alone is worth the visit. Plus, that price point means you can visit multiple times during your trip without breaking the budget!
Virginia Living Museum
This place is AMAZING and unlike anything else we've visited.
What it is: Museum + zoo + aquarium + botanical garden + planetarium all in one!
What we loved:
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| Bald Eagles at the Virginia Living Museum |
Why it's special: You're seeing plants and animals native to Virginia specifically. It's educational, beautiful, and accessible (the boardwalk is flat and smooth for strollers/wheelchairs).
Alicia's take: "Any museum with animals gets my vote!"
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| Alicia enjoying the boardwalk! |
Running Trails
Of course Nathan found places to run!
We explored:
Both are:
The Snow Pile Story
Quick funny story: We were living in South Florida at the time (two hours south of where we are now), and when we got to Newport News, there were piles of plowed snow in parking lots that hadn't melted yet.
Nathan (Ohio native who hadn't seen snow in years) and Alicia (Florida native) both got SO excited that we pulled into a parking lot just to take photos standing in a snow pile.
Race weekend weather tip: It CAN snow in March in Virginia! Check the forecast and pack layers.
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| Nathan was so excited he had to climb up the snow pile! |
Where We Ate
Confession time: We have NO IDEA where we ate in 2015.
These foodies forgot to document their meals! We definitely had pasta the night before the race (Alicia carb-loaded with fettuccine Alfredo in solidarity), but we can't remember where.
Lesson learned: We now ALWAYS photograph our meals and note the restaurants. You'll see that in all our recent episodes!
The good news: Newport News is part of a huge metro area with tons of dining options. You'll find great food no matter what you're craving.
Nathan's Big Takeaway: Someone Has to Be First
Inaugural races have a bad reputation in the running community. And we DO have a story to tell you about one we did in Boise, Idaho at some point. But the One City Marathon? It was AMAZING!
Here's Nathan's perspective: I'm running 50 marathons in 50 states. Some have been amazing, some not so much. So why not mix it up and get different experiences?
And honestly, the same thing applies to life.
Hopefully our lives are long! So, take the risk to do something differently! It doesn't have to be huge or even out of your wheelhouse, but:
I still ran a marathon. I didn't do anything crazy, but I didn't rely just on one with a long track history, and I was rewarded for it. Life often works the same way.
Don't get me wrong, I still want to run the big ones. I want the World Majors. I just applied for the NYC Marathon lottery! But some of our favorite races have been new ones, or tiny ones in the middle of nowhere.
Take the risk. Someone has to be the first.
Maybe that's my real takeaway: Someone has to go first. Sometimes it should be you!
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| Happy Newport News One City Marathon Finisher, Nathan! |
Alicia's Perspective
As the non-runner in this partnership, race weekends like One City Marathon are actually FUN for me because:
This is why we love DINK travel combined with marathon running. We get to experience places deeply, not just pass through
Race Information: 2026 One City Marathon
Race Weekend: February 27 - March 1, 2026
Marathon: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Also: Half Marathon, 5K, Nautical Mile Fun Run
Official Website: OneCityMarathon.com
Official Race Page: https://www.nnva.gov/3150/One-City-Marathon
Follow: @onecitymarathon on social media
Register now! Spots are still available.
Special Thanks
Huge thank you to Olivia and the City of Newport News Communications Department for partnering with us on this episode and sharing all the insider info about Power the Hype 2026 and race weekend events!
Our Links:
Website: marryingyourpassions.com
Follow us: @marryingyourpassions on Facebook and Instagram
Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps
Check out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor
Coming Up Next
Episode 16: Williamsburg, Yorktown & Historic Jamestowne - Virginia's Historic Triangle for America's 250th Anniversary!
We're exploring:
Don't miss it!
About Us
Nathan teaches elementary music to 900+ elementary students, coaches middle school track and field, and has completed 40+ marathons (3:02 PR) working toward all 50 states. He's currently training for the Eugene Marathon in April 2026 (state #41!).
Alicia works from home as an executive director for a nonprofit, spoils our pup, Peppermint Patty, and loves to do yoga and workout.
We're married DINKs who've explored 47 states, traveled internationally, and co-host this podcast to help others make adventure part of everyday life, not just "someday."
We love kids (we work with them!), we just chose not to have our own. Whether you're DINKs, SINKs, empty nesters, recently retired, or just taking a kid-free trip, we're here to help you make travel and adventure a regular part of your life.
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| Nathan, Alicia, and Peppermint Patty (now) |
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