Hampton, VA – October 4, 2026 – The 2026 Sentara Crawlin’ Crab Half Marathon Weekend cemented its place as one of Hampton Roads’ premier running events, welcoming a sold-out field of 4,000 runners from 13 different states to the streets of Hampton on October 3-4. The event sold out weeks in advance of race weekend, marking a 20% increase in participation over last year’s event.
The two-day festival featured the Sentara Crawlin’ Crab 5K and Kids Mile on Saturday, followed by the signature half marathon on Sunday morning. Runners traversed the flat, fast course through historic Downtown Hampton and along the Hampton Roads Harbor before crossing the finish line near the Hampton Coliseum for the event’s legendary post-race celebration.
The post-race festivities kept the party going all weekend long, featuring live music from Chris Keys on Saturday and Later That Night on Sunday. Runners and spectators enjoyed cold beer, food from Freddy’s, product samples, and free Kona Ice sponsored by post-race celebration partner T-Fiber.
The 2026 event also marked the debut of the “Crawlin’ for a Cure” initiative, with the Dorothy G. Hoefer Breast Center, in partnership with the Sentara Foundation, serving as the premier charity partner. The partnership aligned the race weekend with October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the event raised over $6,000 to support breast health services across the region.
“The thing we hear most from runners all weekend is how welcoming this city is from the moment they arrive,” said Jerry and Amy Frostick, Race Directors of J&A Racing. “That’s not something you can manufacture—it’s the neighbors cheering on the corner, the volunteers who come back year after year, and a community that genuinely loves hosting this event. We’re already counting down the days until we do it all again.”
The 2027 Sentara Crawlin’ Crab Half Marathon Weekend will take place October 1-3, 2027. More info can be found at crawlincrabhalf.com. Registration for the 2027 Sentara Crawlin’ Crab Half Marathon Weekend is currently open.
WINNERS:
Half Marathon:
Men: Mike Kapetanakis; 36; Virginia Beach, VA – 1:15:43 (5:47 mile)
Women: S. Konnar Ansell; 33; Chesapeake, VA – 1:27:31 (6:41 mile)
5K:
Men: David Angell; 50; Blue Ridge, VA – 16:44 (5:23 mile)
Women: Dana Hayden; 49; Powatan, VA – 18:23 (5:55 mile)
About J&A Racing
J&A Racing is a nationally recognized race management company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. With a portfolio of 9 events, J&A Racing’s mission is to promote and support healthy lifestyles and the sport of running through all stages of life. Since 2003 when J&A Racing owners, Amy and Jerry Frostick, took over the Shamrock Sportsfest, the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend has become one of the most popular running events in the country. Additionally, J&A Racing organizes the ADP Corporate 5K; the Getem Services Big Blue 5K; Chartway Virginia Beach 10 Miler and 5K; Sentara Crawlin’ Crab Half Marathon & 5K; Wicked 10K & 5K; the Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon, 10K & 5K; the BayPort Credit Union Surf-N-Santa 5 Miler; and the Sun Up to Sun Down 50K. For more information on J&A Racing’s events, visit jandaracing.com.