Registration now open, with price increase set for February 1
With a unique design created by acclaimed public artist Hamilton Glass, Sports Backers today unveiled the participant shirt for the 2022 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger. This year’s event is set for Saturday, April 23, 2022, and will return to its traditional course and format in Richmond. Registration is open at www.sportsbackers.org, with a price increase set for February 1.
Hamilton Glass is a Richmond-based artist, designer, and creator. He has created over 50 murals and public art installations throughout Richmond, the state of Virginia, and across the United States. He is the driving force behind ‘Mending Walls RVA,’ a public art project that brings together artists from different cultures and backgrounds to create murals that address where we are now in society and how we can move forward through understanding and collaboration. He is also one of the lead artists on the All In Together project, which was created to highlight the beauty of a community coming together even while physically apart. In every project, he builds in a message to connect the work to the community in which it lives.
The design for the 2022 participant shirt is characteristic of Glass’ style, with architectural elements and multiple patterns, while also symbolic of the Richmond region coming together at the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. The black shirt emphasizes the bright and bold design, which captures the spirit of the event and celebrates bringing people together through physical activity.
“I strive to include community in my work, to create meaningful connections and conversations through art. So, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to partner with Sports Backers on the design for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k participant shirt,” said Glass. “Projects like Mending Walls have brought individuals and the community together and I believe events like the 10k can unite people in the same way, in the spirit of celebration for physical activity. I hope that this shirt design helps spur more conversations and provides a new opportunity for community connections.”
“We are very excited to partner with Hamilton Glass as part of this year’s event. He cares deeply about the Richmond community and is dedicated to using his creative vision to bring people together through art,” said Meghan Keogh, Race Director for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. “We share a goal of bringing people together through active living and believe the 10k is a great celebration of our active, vibrant community. We can’t wait to see participants wearing this year’s shirt on April 23.”
2022 will mark the 23rd running of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. The 6.2-mile road race returns to its traditional format on Broad Street, Monument Avenue, and Franklin Street for the first time since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 events took place in a hybrid formats on multiple courses over several days to continue the tradition of one of Richmond’s favorite community events. Since its creation in 2000, the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k has become one of the largest 10k road races in America, with over 525,000 participants taking part in that time.
YMCA 10k Training Team Kicks Off on February 12
Registration is also open for the YMCA 10k Training Team, with a price increase on January 4, and the team is set to hold its first training session on Saturday, February 12, 2022. The 10-week program emphasizes the group approach to training as it prepares participants to successfully cover 6.2 miles on April 23. Whether participants are looking to jumpstart their fitness journey or are ready to add more intense workouts into their training schedule, the motivational coaches and supportive teammates on the YMCA 10k Training Team will have runners, joggers, and walkers ready for race day.
The YMCA 10k Training Team will take place at 19 host sites around the Richmond region, including YMCA branches and select community locations. In addition to entry in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k and weekend group runs, participants will receive 10 free trips to the YMCA, a YMCA 10k Training Team shirt, a detailed program with daily running activities, cross-training exercises, and advice on gear and nutrition. More details and registration for the YMCA 10k Training Team can be found at sportsbackers.org.
Both the YMCA 10k Training Team and Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k will offer income-based registration rates for anyone who qualifies and would otherwise not be able to participate. More details can be found at sportsbackers.org.
For more information and registration for the 2022 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger, please visit sportsbackers.org.
