Brian P. Brown Selected to Dash for the Cash at Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger

RICHMOND, VA – Brian P. Brown, a Mechanicsville resident and marketing professor in the VCU School of Business, has been selected for an opportunity to win $2,500 on Saturday, April 13, as the Dash for the Cash participant at the 2019 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger.

Brown was chosen at random from over 15,000 people who were registered for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k as of the February 1 contest deadline. Based on the predicted time he listed on his race entry form and his past performance in the event, he will be given a roughly two-mile head start on the course and will attempt to cross the finish line before any of the other athletes running in the full 10k (6.2 miles). If he does outrun the rest of the field to the finish line, he will win the $2,500 cash prize. If another runner finishes first, the $2,500 will be donated to the VCU Massey Cancer Center, an official event charity.

Brown first participated in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k in 2012, after moving to Richmond the previous year, and this will be the sixth time he’s taken part. “I’ve enjoyed every one,” Brown said of his 10k race experiences. “The crowd is amazing, I always run into a few friends, the bands jam, and there’s just a lot of energy and enthusiasm.” In addition to the 10k, Brown has taken part in a number of half marathons, including the Markel Richmond Half Marathon, and also enjoys trail running.

Despite his familiarity and experience with the 10k, Brown was still very surprised to hear about his Dash for the Cash opportunity. “At first, I didn’t believe it. I thought it was a contest I had to enter or maybe just a prank or scam!” he said. “I got a little anxious to be honest. Was I going to embarrass myself in front of the Richmond community?! But once I thought about it and talked it over with my family, I got excited.”

Brown also reflected on the role the 10k charity partnership with the VCU Massey Cancer Center played in his decision to take part. “Win or lose, it’s for a great cause,” Brown said. “I lost my sister-in-law, Julie Dickson Brown, to cancer just a couple of years ago. If I can raise money and awareness to help fight that dreaded disease while doing something I enjoy, why not?”

For the first time, the 10K will be a family affair for Brown. “My 17-year-old son ran the 10K last year. We didn’t run together, but it still felt special to have him out there,” Brown said. “He and my 14-year-old daughter are registered, so it’ll be a cool to have them both out there this year.” He’s also hopeful that taking on the Dash for the Cash challenge will bring some added spectator support. “With the spotlight on me this year, I hope to rally my wife, some students, and a few more friends, although some of them will come out to see me get run down by a bunch of elite runners just for the fun of it!” Brown said, before adding, “My nephew’s a VCU student. Maybe I can get him and his buddies to wake up early enough on a Saturday morning to start a cheering section.”

Brown’s training so far has included multiple runs per week, mixed in with swimming and yoga. He is aiming to strike a balance between focusing on the 10k while also preparing for the spring and summer running season. “I never take the run too seriously in terms of a time since it’s so early in the running season. I just try to enjoy the vibe…my number one priority is to be healthy on race day, even if I’m not at my fittest.”

Above all, Brown knows this is a rare opportunity and a unique way to experience the 10k, and he says he’s looking forward to the challenge: “It’s going to be fun.”

Registration is still open for the 2019 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger and the Virginia529 Kids Run, both taking place on April 13. More information is available at www.sportsbackers.org.

 

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