Running In Style: Friendship and fashion fuel two Richmond Marathon runners

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — As Richmond’s Marathon Weekend draws near, for runners across the region, it’s more than just a race. For some, it’s a chance to push themselves to new physical limits. For others, it’s about creating lasting memories and friendships that go far beyond the finish line.

For two local women, it’s about doing both — in style.

A chance encounter on a run through Richmond’s Forest Hill neighborhood sparked the start of a friendship between Julia Mariga, a student registered nurse anesthetist, and Katie Ferrell, a Chesterfield school teacher.

“We were actually right down the street in Forest Hill running a route, and Katie saw me,” Mariga said.

“I was complimenting her shorts because I really liked the style of them,” Ferrell added.

Mariga remembers how they bonded over their shared sense of fashion.

“She said, ‘My gosh, where did you get your shorts? I love it.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, this Amazon owned brand called CRC Yoga,’” Mariga said.

Just two weeks later, the pair met up again — this time wearing the exact same outfit by coincidence -- bright orange shorts and black tank tops.

“From there, we just never stopped talking, never stopped planning runs together, never stopped planning outfits together,” Ferrell said.

Over the past year, Mariga and Ferrell’s coordinated running gear has become their signature — a reflection of their growing friendship and shared passion for running.

From training runs to major races like the Shamrock Half Marathon and the Monument Avenue 10K, their matching looks have turned heads and boosted morale.

“She’ll either text me and tell me what she’s wearing, or we’ll discuss the night before between a couple of different options,” Ferrell said.

Their favorite outfits include a patriotic red, white and blue look, and a bold hot pink ensemble they debuted at the 2024 Allianz Richmond Marathon.

“We wore hot pink for the marathon, and we took a lot of time to plan that and a lot of online shopping,” Ferrell said.

As both women prepare to run the full Richmond Marathon this Saturday, they’re keeping one last fashion secret under wraps — their race-day look.

“It’s the color of shorts that I wore when Katie and I met,” Mariga hinted. “We may have mentioned it during the interview — I can’t remember.”

Ferrell smiled and added, “But it’s also Julia’s favorite.”

Whether it’s for the miles, the memories or the matching outfits, Mariga and Ferrell are proving that running together can be as much about friendship and fun as it is about fitness.