Smith, Pavicic take first place in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger
Event celebrates return to in-person format for first time since 2019
RICHMOND, VA – The Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger celebrated a return to its much-loved in-person format with over 17,000 participants taking part in the 23rd running of the event. The excitement kicked off at 8 a.m. with the Atlantic Union Bank 10k Mini youth running event for kids age 4-12, and continued with the men’s and women’s 10k races at 8:30 a.m. The 10k again hosted the Collegiate Running Association (CRA) 10k Road Race National Championships, which drew nearly 1,000 college athletes to the streets of Richmond to compete for prize money provided by the CRA.
Brody Smith, 24, a Syracuse, N.Y., resident and former track and field standout at Purdue University, took first place with a time of 30:00, finishing ahead of Peter Borger who came in at 30:21. Smith was an All-Big Ten performer at Purdue and is currently studying and competing as a graduate student at Syracuse University.
In the women’s race, Peri Pavicic, 24, of Washington, D.C., crossed the finish line first in a time of 35:13. She was followed in second place by Bethany Sachtleben, the top finisher in 2018 and 2019, in a time of 36:23.Pavicic is a student at George Washington University, where she has competed in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field.
Both Smith and Pavicic praised the crowds along the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k course and credited the atmosphere for helping push them to their respective first-place finishes.
“I’ve never experienced a crowd like that. To have that crowd energy is such a motivator,” said Smith, who was competing in his first road race. “There were moments out there where it got tough but I just rallied on the crowd and they got me through those tough moments.”
“I went out a little too fast because I got too excited, but I think the crowd and energy kept me going for sure,” said Pavicic. “This is my first ever road race and it was awesome. I definitely want to come back.”
Collegiate Running Association 10k Road Race National Championship
| Place | Collegiate Men | Time | Collegiate Women | Time | ||
| 1 | Brody Smith | 30:00 | Peri Pavicic | 35:13 | ||
| 2 | Peter Borger | 30:21 | Bethany Sachtleben | 36:23 | ||
| 3 | Marlon Belden | 31:38 | Kathryn Buss | 37:59 | ||
| 4 | Jordan Bendura | 31:44 | Ave Grosenheider | 38:23 | ||
| 5 | Jimmy Quinn | 32:03 | Taylor Coleman | 38:51 | ||
| 6 | Robbie Gunia | 32:23 | Manon Stephen | 39:07 | ||
| 7 | Noah Campbell | 32:27 | Anna George | 39:55 | ||
| 8 | Reid Sharkey | 32:27 | Kathryn Shea | 40:53 | ||
| 9 | Evan Leach | 32:40 | Lilly Smith | 41:32 | ||
| 10 | Tanner Crochet | 32:52 | Natalie Boyle | 42:44 |
Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k – Open Division
| Place | Open Men | Time | Open Women | Time | ||
| 1 | Brody Smith | 30:00 | Peri Pavicic | 35:13 | ||
| 2 | Peter Borger | 30:21 | Laura Hanson | 35:17 | ||
| 3 | Harrison Toney | 30:46 | Sophia King | 35:50 | ||
| 4 | Matthew Novak | 31:21 | Bethany Sachtleben | 36:23 | ||
| 5 | Brian Flynn | 31:35 | Bridget Stacy | 36:56 |
Awards were also presented to the top three male and female participants that are Richmond region residents. On the men’s side, Harrison Toney took first place, followed by Matthew Novak and Brian Flynn. On the women’s side, Laura Hanson took first place, followed by Sophia King and Bridget Stacy.
Richmond Region 10k Championship
| Place | Local Men | Time | Local Women | Time | ||
| 1 | Harrison Toney | 30:46 | Laura Hanson | 35:17 | ||
| 2 | Matthew Novak | 31:21 | Sophia King | 35:50 | ||
| 3 | Brian Flynn | 31:35 | Bridgey Stacy | 36:56 |
Nearly 700 kids participated in the Atlantic Union Bank 10k Mini kids run, a one-mile fun run for kids age 4-12 that kicked off race festivities. Many of the participants take part in regular programming from Kids Run RVA, a Sports Backers program that promotes physical activity to youth across the Richmond region and encourages more kids to get moving more often. Kids Run RVA currently has run clubs in 40 schools across the Richmond region, with over 1,000 kids taking part in daily and weekly activities. Kids Run RVA and the VCU Massey Cancer Center are the official event charity partners of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger.
More than 40 bands, spirit groups, and porch parties lined the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k course, in addition to thousands of spectators, providing entertainment throughout the event.
Full results are now available at www.sportsbackers.org. The 2023 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Registration is now open for a limited time during a special flash sale that lasts through Saturday, April 30. Participants can claim their spot for the 10k experience for $30 by registering now at www.sportsbackers.org. During the flash sale, special registration rates are also available for the YMCA 10k Training Team ($55) and the Atlantic Union Bank 10k mini kids run ($15).
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