Virginia’s Largest Race, the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger, Draws Nearly 27,000 On Race Day

Event celebrates yet another participation increase

RICHMOND, VA – The Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger marked its 27th running in record-setting fashion, celebrating its fifth straight year of growth and welcoming nearly 27,000 runners and walkers to Monument Avenue for Richmond’s favorite spring tradition.

After drawing 25,000 participants last year, the event saw another significant jump in 2026, continuing a powerful upward trend that reflects both the race’s momentum and Richmond’s thriving running culture.

The morning began at 8 a.m. with the Atlantic Union Bank 10k Mini, where over 1,400 young runners ages 4 to 12 kicked off the festivities with their one-mile event. At 8:30 a.m., waves of 10k participants took to the streets, transforming the 6.2-mile course into a celebration of community spirit, costumes, and springtime energy unique to Richmond.

The event once again hosted the Collegiate Running Association 10k Road Race National Championships, attracting more than 1,800 collegiate athletes competing for national titles and prize money. Peter Borger of Malvern, PA captured the overall finisher title with a time of 30:04.16. Luke Taylor of Rockville, VA took the collegiate championship win with 30:29.50. Carter Norbo of Charlottesville, VA won in the women’s overall field with 33:54.64. Mary Heinen of Ann Arbor, MI came in first in the collegiate category with 34:30.

Participants traveled from 45 states, Washington, D.C., and six countries to take part in the race. Nearly 7 percent of the field came from outside Virginia, marking an increase in out-of-state participation compared to 2025, while approximately 83 percent of runners were from the Richmond region.

At a time when national running participation is up approximately 5 percent, the 10k and Sports Backers events are outperforming the trend with growth of 9 percent, reinforcing Richmond’s position as a premier running destination.

Collegiate Running Association 10k Road Race National Championship

Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k – Open Division

Awards were also presented to the top three male and female participants that are Richmond region residents. On the men’s side, Jordan Bendura took first place, followed by Luke Taylor and Jack Ikenberry. On the women’s side, Sophia King took first place, followed by Bridget Stacy and Laura Labuschaigne.

Richmond Region 10k Championship

The littlest runners started the day by participating in the Atlantic Union Bank 10k Mini kids run, a one-mile fun run for kids age 4-12 that kicked off race festivities. The first finisher was Taavi Roma, 12, with a time of 6:07. Claire Evers, 10, was the first female finisher with a time of 6:37, she won last year as well and beat her previous time.

This year also featured a new promotion dubbed “The People’s Finisher”, a title awarded to the 10,000th finisher to cross the finish line on race day. The inaugural honor was bestowed upon Noelani Gabriel of Fairfax, VA with a time of 1:16. They received a commemorative, wrestling-style championship belt to celebrate their accomplishment.

Heat was a factor with higher-than-normal temperatures throughout the week leading into race day. Sports Backers employs the Event Alert flag system to communicate event safety to participants. The day started at Yellow Alert level, and at 10:35 a.m. after consulting with the medical team and emergency personnel, the decision with made to increase to a Red Alert level. To ensure the continued safety of all participants, those who had not reached the intersection of Malvern and Monument by 10:35 a.m. were turned around and directed back toward the finish.

Many of the Atlantic Union Bank 10k Mini participants take part in regular programming from Kids On The Move, a Sports Backers program that promotes physical activity to youth throughout the Richmond region. The program emphasizes making exercise enjoyable and sustainable, helping kids develop healthy habits early on. Currently, Kids On The Move supports over 70 run clubs in area schools, engaging children in daily and weekly fitness activities. Sports Backers Youth Programs and the VCU Massey Cancer Center are the official event charity partners of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger.

This year, VCU Massey Cancer Center marked their 21st year as the 10k’s Charity Partner and raised an impressive $170, 214 through the Massey Challenge. Their fundraising effort included 38 teams and 329 individual fundraisers, with 150 first-time participants and 1,782 unique donors. Donations are still being accepted and can be counted toward the final total by giving at MasseyChallenge.com through May 15.

The Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k is renowned for its electric atmosphere and unmatched community spirit. Each year, Sports Backers spotlight on-course entertainment as a key part of the race day experience. This year, more than 45 groups—including local bands, cheer squads, and lively porch parties—joined in the fun as part of the 10k Spirit Contest presented by The Richmond Experience. Cash prizes were awarded in categories such as Best Porch Party, Judges’ Choice, Most Spirited, and Best Theme. Beyond the official contest, thousands of enthusiastic spectators lined the course, turning the entire route into a celebration of movement, music, and motivation.

Full results will be available at www.sportsbackers.org. The 2026 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger race will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2027. Registration for the 2027 event opens on Monday at https://www.sportsbackers.org/event/ukrops-monument-avenue-10k/. To celebrate an awe-inspiring 27th event there will be a weeklong sale. Registration will then remain open.