Monument Avenue 10k moves to 4 ‘official’ courses

The 2020 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k won’t be held in person Sept. 26 but instead will offer participants the chance to run a 10k on their own schedule between Sept. 25-27 at one of four official courses – including two in Henrico. Officials from Sports Backers, which organizes the event, made the announcement Monday.

The event had been postponed from its normal March date to September because of COVID-19, but now runners will be able to compete in a spread-out format at the four courses – including at Dorey Park in Varina and Deep Run Park in the West End. The other two official courses are Byrd Park in Richmond and Henricus Historical Park in Chesterfield. Runners also may complete a “virtual” option on a route of their choice.

Maps of the official courses are available at www.sportsbackers.org/events/2020-ukrops-monument-avenue-10k/course-information/. Each course will have a start and finish line, mile markers and directional signage and can be accessed from dawn to dusk Sept. 25 to 27. Traffic calming measures also will be put in place, and though the courses won’t be completely closed to vehicle traffic, there will be signage and cones throughout to help slow traffic for walkers, joggers and runners.

"We will be encouraging participants to wear a Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k shirt, put on their 10k number bib, dress up in a costume, support other participants on social media and bring their energy like they have always done in the past,” said Meghan Keogh, race director for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. “While we will be much more spread out in both space and time than in years past, we are confident that we can create a celebration of wellness that has made this race an inspirational force for active living in our region."

Participants, whether taking part on an official 10k course or virtually in their own neighborhood, can use the RaceJoy app to receive an official finish time and be included on the event leaderboard through the app. And, the result will count towards the event’s Six Point Two Crew loyalty program status.

Previously registered participants don’t have to alter their registration at all to participate in one of the official 10k courses and will no longer be required to switch to the virtual event to participate on their own. Those who are unable to take part from September 25-September 27 can defer their entry to the 2021 event or opt to receive a credit to put towards registration for another Sports Backers event.

Participants will have the option to have their packets mailed for free by opting in to the packet mailing, or they can pick up their packet in person at the outdoor Expo in the Diamond parking lot on September 24 and September 25. The expo will feature contactless packet pick up and masks are required.

“As it has done with many things in our lives this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our original plans for the 2020 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, so we’ve worked hard and consulted with public health officials to provide the best experience possible for participants in a safe environment,” said Megan Schultz, Chief Operating Officer for Sports Backers. “It wasn’t possible to hold a large in-person event on Monument Avenue because we would have needed to close the road for more than a week, therefore we believe that setting up four courses over three days around the region is an innovative solution to provide people an opportunity to take part this year. We certainly look forward to getting back out on Monument Avenue with our participants, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators for the 10k in the future.”

Everyone who participates in any way in September will receive a 20%-off coupon to the Sports Backers merchandise store and a $10 credit toward the 20201 event.

“While we know Richmonders will miss one of their favorite RVA traditions, we applaud the creative thinking from Sports Backers and we’re inspired by the positivity and determination from the Richmond community,” said Anne Jenkins with Kroger Mid-Atlantic, which is a presenting sponsor of the event. “We’re cheering everyone on from wherever they choose to run their 10k and we can’t wait to meet everyone at the finish line in 2021.”