CTC Marathon and Half-Marathon Training Program

Program registration limit: this popular program will CLOSE after the first 175 participants sign up, which usually occurs in late May.

Since 1996, the Charlottesville Track Club has guided over 5000 runners to a safe completion of a fall marathon or half-marathon of their choice. The program is designed to properly prepare runners of all abilities to complete their first long-distance race or to improve on a previous effort. Each participant receives a personalized program tailored to match their individual needs, abilities, and specific goals. The program is supervised by Coach & Coordinator Mark Lorenzoni, who has 45 years of experience, and each individual will be able to consult with this coach (for specific and personal concerns) throughout the training program.

How It Works:
1. Sign up on this page and you will receive a confirmation email along with the questionnaire you will need to fill out at the beginning of your training.

2. Fill out and submit your questionnaire - this is required for participation in the program!

3. Join the group orientation meeting with Coach Mark on Saturday, June 13th (time and location TBA). If you can not join the meeting, it will be recorded and the video will be available afterward!

4. If you have not run a recent race, run your two-mile time trial (see more below).

5. After running your time trial and filling out your questionnaire, which is required,  you'll receive instructions on how to get your specific training program.

5. Join the group for the long Saturday runs starting on July 11th, and enjoy your training program!

Find more information about CTC here
Want to join CTC? Sign up here

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The Details

WHEN: The program kicks off on June 13th with an orientation meeting. Group long runs start on July 11th and go through early November.

WHERE: The group meets every Saturday for a “long” run at one of six different scenic and low-traffic locations (we rotate each week) in the City and County (at 6:15 in the morning to beat the heat).

WHO: Anyone can participate, but the Marathon program has a minimum requirement of a recent (within 4-7 weeks of the start of the program) long run of at least 3-4 miles. The Half-Marathon program has a minimum requirement of a recent long run of 1-2 miles. Last year 175 folks participated in the program and they each were able to select a fall marathon or half-marathon of their choice (last year 20 different marathons and 10 different half-marathons were selected by the individual participants). The finishing race paces ranged from 6:30/mile to 13 minutes/mile.

COST: $60; $50 for Charlottesville Track Club members

COACH: Mark Lorenzoni has served as the Coach & Coordinator (on a volunteer basis) since the program started in 1996.

PROGRAM ASSISTANCE:  Virginia Knight will once again serve as volunteer e-mail coordinator and Molly Ring will serve as our volunteer website designer. A HUGE thanks to these hardworking volunteers who will once again be in charge of setting up the fuel stations for our Saturday group runs: Donna Boyd, Beth Cox, Kate Kaminski, Marti Naro, Ryan Ross, Larry Saunders, Karen Taylor, and Ancolien Tate.

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Important Things to Know

1. What is required?
If you have not run a recent race, the two-mile time trial is required. If you ran the Charlottesville 10 Miler, for example that time can count. Everyone is also required to submit the questionnaire.

2. When is our first group get-together? 
We will have an orientation/kick-off meeting on Saturday June 13th. We have not set the exact time or location but will let you know. If you are unable to join us for the meeting, a recording will be available afterward. We will then start our group long runs on Saturday, July 11th.

3. What gear will I need to have to train this summer?
You will need a good pair of running shoes (to be replaced every 300 miles); proper technical clothing, including wicking (non-cotton) socks, appropriate for the heat and humidity; a hand-held water bottle carrier or water backpack; nutrition (to be explained in detail); your training log; and a foam roller to be used on daily basis.

4. Which is the best fall race for me?
There are countless wonderful fall marathons and half-marathons in our region, but this list of regional events are the ones our previous participants and I, as the coach, have had the best success with over the years:
September
- Lehigh Valley
- Erie
- Philadelphia Half
- Hokie Half

October
- Wineglass
- Crawling Crab
- Chessie Trail
- Hartford
- Bay State Marathon
- Peak to Creek
- High Bridge

November
- Richmond
- Philadelphia
- Norfolk Harbor

December
- Rehoboth Seashore

5. Where and when will we be meeting for group runs together?
We will be meeting early every Saturday morning (see schedule), for a group long run. Courses will vary (we have 6 different locations) and all are scenic and relatively auto-free. These Saturday group long runs will be divided into pace groups, and water and Gatorade will be available. For those, who Coach Mark writes “speedwork” into your program, we will also meet on Wednesday mornings at 5:30 am at the UVa track.  

6. Why is the two-mile time trial required?
Unless you have a recent race time (for any race distance within the last four months), this 2-mile time will give Coach Mark a very accurate read on what your current fitness level is and will help determine your marathon or half marathon pace and your critically important everyday AHR pace (Aerobic Heart Rate). If you’d like to do it with a group, with Coach timing you, come join us on one of the dates at the UVa track on the 2-mile schedule. 

7. Am I too slow to train with the group? Will I have company?
No one is too slow to be a participant! We divide into pace groups for each Saturday group run, so everyone is running with others of similar fitness and ability. Last year, race paces ranged from 6:45 min/mile to 13:00 min/mile.

8. What is the best way to contact Coach Mark? 
Due to the high volume of folks that Mark coaches, he can be reached by text or in person at Ragged Mountain. Text him at 434-962-1694 to ask questions or to see when he is available. Despite being a professional coach with over forty years of experience, Mark does this on a purely volunteer basis.

9. How often will Coach be communicating with us?
Coach will be sending out weekly email messages with training tips and program updates. He will also be giving a very brief (3-5 minutes) training lecture before the start of each Saturday group run.

10. Who else besides Coach, helps with the weekly tasks of keeping the training program going?
Thanks to the wonderful volunteer efforts of Molly Ring (website management), Virginia Knight (weekly email management), the program runs efficiently on a weekly basis. Our long run coordinators are invaluable in making sure we have fuel for our long runs: Donna Boyd, Beth Cox, Kate Kaminski, Marti Naro, Ryan Ross, Larry Saunders, Karen Taylor, and Ancolien Tate.

11. Where do your participant fee dollars go? 
Everyone affiliated with the program does so on a volunteer basis, so the dollars go towards the training program costs (like shirts, Gatorade, printing etc.) and back to the CTC, where it is used to support a variety of wonderful causes, like the CTC scholarship fund and the CTC summer all-comer track meets.

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Important Dates, Documents, & Resources

2 Mile Time Trial Dates - These are the times that Coach Mark will personally be on hand. You may choose to do your 2-mile time trial at another time and location that is more convenient for you, but you must consult with Coach Mark on how to approach it properly ahead of time.

Questionnaire -You will not receive your program until you fill out your questionnaire and submit it to Mark. Details to follow.

2026 Long Run Schedule

2026 Long Run - Directions

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