Registration for the YMCA 10k Training Team program is open.  The 10-week program, which begins on January 17, is a fun and sociable way for folks to ready themselves to run or walk the 6.2-mile course.  The registration fee of $50 includes entry in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, a YMCA 10k Training Team T-shirt and participation in this highly successful training program manned by dedicated coaches. Entry forms can be picked up at any Richmond-area YMCA or online at http://www.sportsbackers.org.

There will be YMCA 10k Training Team orientation meetings at the following sites and times:

     
John Rolfe
January 5, 2009
6:30 PM
Tuckahoe
January 5, 2009
6:30 PM
Southside
January 6, 2009
6:00 PM
Chickahominy
January 6, 2009
6:30 PM
Downtown
January 6, 2009
6:30 PM
James Center
January 7, 2009
6:00 PM
Chester
January 7, 2009
7:00 PM
Manchester
January 7, 2009
7:30 PM
North Richmond
January 8, 2009
6:00 PM
Shady Grove
January 8, 2009
6:00 PM
Midlothian
January 8, 2009
7:00 PM
Tuckahoe
January 10, 2009          
4:00 PM
Downtown
January 11, 2009          
4:00 PM
John Rolfe
January 12, 2009          
6:30 PM
Patrick Henry
January 12, 2009          
6:30 PM
Powhatan
January 12, 2009          
6:30 PM
Goochland
January 13, 2009          
6:30 PM
Shady Grove
January 13, 2009        
6:30 PM
Midlothian
January 13, 2009          
7:00 PM

Put Cancer on the Run: Join Anthem’s Massey Fundraising Challenge - The VCU Massey Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center, is on the forefront of research and discoveries to help cure and control cancer. 10k participants and their friends and family members can help fight this terrible disease by signing up for the Massey Fundraising Challenge at http://www.massey.vcu.edu or by contributing through the pledge program.  The VCU Massey Cancer Center raised over $500,000 in donations last year.

The 10k Healthy School Challenge promotes youth health by motivating high school and middle school students to run the 10k.  The competition rewards the middle schools and high schools who sign up the most students to run in the 10k as a percentage of their overall school enrollment.  Cash prizes are awarded to the top five high schools and top five middle schools.  This is a great way for school clubs or organizations to raise funds.  Details can be found at http://www.sportsbackers.org.
The First Market Mile Kids Run Presented by Minute Maid - Kids 5 to 12 and their parents can experience the excitement of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k by participating as runners or walkers in the First Market Mile, which once again starts on Cathedral Place in front of Monroe Park and proceeds up Park Avenue to Lombardy Street, around Stuart Circle and back down Franklin Street to Monroe Park where youngsters will cross the same finish line as the 10k.

Jump Start! Presented by Anthem offers area companies large and small different ways to use the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k to promote corporate wellness: pay for employees to participate through bulk registration, encourage employees to get active and participate, to support Anthem’s Massey Fundraising Challenge as a corporate team, or to make the 10k a team building experience. 

For more information contact Mike McCormick, Sports Backers Communications Director – 804.901.9047 (cell)