Sara Page, MidlothianExchange.com & Video by Brigitte Petrine
January 08, 2009 1:10 PM
Ten years ago, the first 2,500 participants ran down Richmond’s Monument Avenue as part of the inaugural Monument Avenue 10K. Nine years ago, Sports Backers executive director Jon Lugbill approached local entrepreneur Bob Ukrop as a possible title sponsor for the race citing a hope by the Sports Backers of hitting 10,000 participants, and Sports Backers teamed up with area YMCAs to offer training to novice racers. This year the entry cap has been raised to 35,000 after last year’s increase to 31,000 wasn’t enough, and spin-off events associated with the race now sit at five. According to Lugbill, it’s all because of the support of the area.
“It’s way beyond any of our expectations and really it’s because the whole community has adopted this event. We’d love to say it’s our marketing brilliance but the reality is that so many people have endorsed it,” Lugbill said.
Many of the people embracing the 10K have come out of YMCA training teams. Offered through 14 area YMCAs, the 10K Training Team offers 10 weeks of training tailored toward walkers, novice runners or intermediate runners with a goal of getting folks ready to run 6.2 miles. Over 19,000 people have come through the program, successfully completed the 10K and come back again the next year with their family and friends.
“Anybody can do this,” head coach for the YMCA 10K Training Team program, Dan Blankenship said. “We’ve been going around doing orientation presentations the last couple of weeks and what I’ve been telling people is, ‘You give us two things and we’ll get you through the race and that’s have the right attitude and commitment.’”
The cost to join the YMCA 10K Training Team is $50, which includes entry fees for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K race, a training guide, 10 weeks of instruction from Blankenship and YMCA coaches, weekly group runs and a T-shirt. And everyone is welcome.
Head coach for the YMCA 10K Training Team Dan Blankenship says he’s looking forward to getting another group ready for 6.2 miles. “I would say [age ranges] vary. I’ve seen some younger people come out … 13 might be the youngest we take simply because there’s a First Market Mile kids run and we want to encourage people to sign up for that … I say generally you’re looking at people [around] 18 [and] I know one lady who’s 84-years-old, and she’s been doing this program for six years now,” Blankenship said.
The YMCA 10K Training Team begins Jan. 17 and while that route can be a great way to meet new people, some folks use the annual race as a way to connect with old friends. The Lynchburg College alumni running group is entering it’s third year bringing folks out to the 10K, and like the race, they’ve seen a substantial increase in their running tally.
“The first year we had 16 people run the race and last year we had about 45, so it kind of expanded and became a very diverse group of people,” group co-organizer John Reilly said.
The team started as former college track and field teammates reconnecting and getting together for the weekend and expanded to include alumni who graduated in the 1950s all the way through recent graduates and their families. In fact, those who live in the area are starting their own training team this year.
“Actually, we have a Lynchburg College area training team,” first time 10K runner and 2002 graduate Sarah Phillips said. “I was a little intimidated the first years because [the ones going out] were serious runners, but as it expanded, it’s [become] more diverse and I feel like I can do it, so I’m excited to run the 10K for the first time, but even more excited to run it with [Lynchburg College alumni].”
Last year, the group had members representing eight different states come to Richmond for the event. This year, they’re aiming to grow their team numbers to the triple digits and expand to more states, and they’ve been reconnecting to everyone using their college web site and other social networking sites.
“It’s kind of like instead of getting together for a reunion where people just pound drinks, we get together and do something very positive,” Reilly said.
Other events connected with the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K include the Massey Fundraising Challenge, the 10K Healthy School Challenge, the First Market Mile Kids Run presented by Minute Maid and Jump Start! presented by Anthem. For more on these events or to find the YMCA 10K Training Team closest to you visit the Sports Backers’ web site.
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