What is the wave start?
It’s actually quite simple. Rather than having all 25,000 participants start the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k at once, we break everyone into waves based on their expected pace. This ensures that runners are grouped with others at a similar speed. The fastest runners start first, followed by progressively slower runners, then joggers, and finally walkers. You’ll choose your wave during registration and it will be assigned on your race bib at packet pickup.
Event personnel will be positioned at the starting line to enforce that participants are starting in their correct wave.
Wave Categories
Seeded Waves
Require proof of time. Seeded waves are reserved for runners who are capable of finishing faster than 63 minutes.
See Wave Start FAQs below for details on proof of time.
Non-seeded waves
DO NOT require proof. Non-seeded waves are open to participants with a predicted finish time over 63 minutes OR those without qualifying proof of time.
Wave Schedule
2026 Wave Schedule (Subject to change)
| Start Time | Wave |
| 8:30 a.m. | Wave A: Seeded Runners – Sub 40:00 |
| 8:31 | Wave B: Seeded Runners – 40:00 to 43:59 |
| 8:33 | Racing Wheelchair Wave |
| 8:34 | Wave C: Seeded Runners – 44:00 to 47:59 |
| 8:35 | Wave D: Seeded Runners – 48:00 to 50:59 |
| 8:36 | Wave E: Seeded Runners – 51:00 to 52:59 |
| 8:37 | Wave F: Seeded Runners – 53:00 to 54:59 |
| 8:38 | Wave G: Seeded Runners – 55:00 to 55:59 |
| 8:39 | Wave H: Seeded Runners – 56:00 to 57:59 |
| 8:40 | Wave J: Seeded Runners – 58:00 to 59:59 |
| 8:41 | Wave K: Seeded Runners – 60:00 to 60:59 |
| 8:42 | Wave L: Seeded Runners – 61:00 to 62:59 |
| 8:44 | Wave MA: Runners – 63:00 – 65:59 |
| 8:49 | Wave MB: Runners – 63:00 – 65:59 |
| 8:54 | Wave MC: Runners – 63:00 – 65:59 |
| 8:58 | Wave MD: Runners – 63:00 – 65:59 |
| 9:01 | Wave NA: Runners – 66:00 to 69:59 |
| 9:06 | Wave NB: Runners – 66:00 to 69:59 |
| 9:10 | Wave NC: Runners – 66:00 to 69:59 |
| 9:13 | Wave ND: Runners – 66:00 to 69:59 |
| 9:17 | Wave PA: Runners – 70:00 to 74:59 |
| 9:19 | Wave PB: Runners – 70:00 to 74:59 |
| 9:23 | Wave QA: Joggers – 75:00 to 89:59 |
| 9:27 | Wave QB: Joggers – 75:00 to 89:59 |
| 9:29 | Wave RA: Joggers – 90 to 100 min. |
| 9:31 | Wave RB: Joggers – 90 to 100 min. |
| 9:33 | Wave SA: Jog/Walk – 100 to 110 min. |
| 9:35 | Wave SB: Jog/Walk – 100 to 110 min. |
| 9:37 | Wave SC: Jog/Walk – 100 to 110 min. |
| 9:39 | Wave T: Walk/Jog – 110 min. or more |
| 9:45 | Start line closes |
Wave start Faqs
How can I prove my time for seeded wave qualifying?
You may use the following items as proof of time:
- 2024 or 2025 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k finish time
- Results from any other race since January 1, 2024, which could include:
- Finisher’s certificate
- Printed race result
- Direct Link to website results (In order for our computer program to verify your time you must provide a direct link to your results. If you don’t use a link we can access, you run the risk of being assigned to a non-seeded wave.)
- We can convert any race, from a 5k up to a marathon, into an 10k Time Conversion Chart.
- You may email ([email protected]) a picture of your running app, watch, or treadmill. Make sure to include time and distance.
Non-seeded waves are open to participants with a predicted finish time over 63 minutes OR those without qualifying proof of time.
Can I run or walk with a group?
If you register with a group and want to be placed together, you all must select the slowest person’s wave.
Can I start with someone in a different wave?
If you wish to start with someone in a different wave, you may do so by dropping back to the slower person’s wave. No one may move up to a faster wave.
How will I know where my wave is on race day?
Report to the Start Line on Broad St. (view start line map). Waves will extend from the Start Line all the way back towards Belvidere St.
Locate the volunteer holding the sign with the letter corresponding to wave on your bib and line up behind them. The volunteer will walk your group into the start corral as your start time approaches.
How do I wear my bib?
Pin your bib to the front of your shirt, where it’s most visible. You must wear your bib to be admitted into the start corral.
Safety pins are available at the Health & Fitness Expo.
How does chip timing effect my time?
Chip timing records your exact start and finish time, so your results will accurately reflect the time it took you to run the race no matter which corral you start in.
What happens if I miss my wave?
Each wave will start promptly at its designated time. You are responsible for being on-time for the start of your wave.
Starting mats will be turned off immediately after the start of the final wave in order to reopen Broad Street, so latecomers are in danger of not receiving an accurate start time.
Do you really have wave security?
Yes, and we take this job seriously! Event personnel will be positioned at the starting line on race morning to enforce that participants are starting in their correct wave, as indicated on their bibs.
We aim hard to please and it’s important, both in terms of safety and enjoyment, that people are placed with people their own speed.
Sub :40 Club
Joining this Club is no easy feat! Run the 10k in 39:59 or better (that’s a 6:26 per mile pace) and bragging rights and exclusive commemorative swag will be yours at the finish! Need help lowering your time? Check out the Richmond Road Runners Club Advanced 10k Training Team.