Great for Runners: The Monument Avenue 10K

This morning I participated in one of my favorite (sort of) local runs, the Monument 10K, sponsored by Ukrops and put on by Sports Backers. For anyone who likes to race competitively, this is a really fun race! This year was the 10th anniversary running of this really great event!

It is held in the Fan District in Richmond. The Fan District in Richmond is home to families, professionals, and students (due to the proximity of VCU). They all come out to cheer on the runners. There are bands playing along the race route, there are parties at homes along the way and there are cheerleaders at every step of the race route. They even have really funny signs posted on the lamp posts and volunteers ringing bells to keep you going when the going gets tough.

Did I forget to mention the best thing of all?? The race route is completely FLAT. For someone accustomed to running the hilly terrain of Northern Virginia, this is the best treat of all!

There is a Dress Up and Run contest was won this year by Wayne Mancari, of Chester, Virginia. Mr Mancari ran the entire race dressed up as Indiana Jones being chased by a boulder (the photo can be seen on the Sports Backer's Website)!

Anne Parker, who was given a 2.6-mile head start, won the 'Dash for Cash' and went home with $2,500! She is from Midlothian, Virginia and is the mother of four children.

The Women's 30-39 category was won by a local Northern Virginia woman, Susannah Kvasnicka of Great Falls, VA, who won with a time of 35:57. Susannah is a friend of mine...congratulations, Susannah!!!

Registration will begin on December 26, 2009 for the 2010 race, which will be held on Saturday, March 27.

Thanks, Ukrops and Sports Backers for putting on a great race!