Richmond’s Largest Youth Road Race Sprints Into Short Pump October 2nd

Running is a popular activity with adults in the West End of Richmond, but it can be a difficult sport for youth that are still learning and growing, and may not yet be ready to enter a full 5k or 10k race. A great opportunity to test out this growing sport at a more moderate distance is coming up on October 2nd, and will be held outside the Short Pump Town Center.

September 21, 2011; 10:29 AM • by Downtown Short Pump Staff

Richmond Bargains, Terren Peterson, Short Pump Races liked this post

The Short Pump Mile and Express Run presented by C&F Bank and Lite 98 will be held on October 2nd.

The event, now in its third year, is quickly growing into a local favorite. With two weeks remaining, almost four hundred runners have already signed up, well ahead of last year’s entrants that totaled 600.

Everyone’s a winner that signs up for the race, as a cool race t-shirts will be given out to all who enter. Runners that complete the mile run will also receive a commemorative finishers medal, and are invited to a fun post-race celebration at the Short Pump Mall Commons area. For runners that are looking to improve before the race, American Family Fitness is providing a free training program on Thursday evenings at their West End location for all who enter.

Individual awards are given out by age groups, allowing seven year olds to compete with runners their same age, while allowing the more competitive middle and high school runners to race separately. In all, 140 commemorative awards will be given out to the top finishers across age groups starting at ages six and under. The top five overall male and female runners will receive not only plaques to recognize their achievement, but also gift cards to the Short Pump Mall.

To accommodate so many runners, the race is broken up into twelve separate heats, each containing just 30-50 runners of similar age and gender. This allows for a competitive, yet safe race for all ages. There is also a short “Express Run” measuring just 400 meters for children five and under.

The race encourages participation from local schools, as $2000 will be awarded for physical fitness programs to the five schools with the highest participation through the St. Mary’s for Kids Challenge. Last year’s school winner was Collegiate, followed by Nuckols Farm Elementary, then Shady Grove Elementary.

All remaining proceeds will benefit NOVA of Virginia a non-profit swim club operating on Gayton Road.

For more information, including online registration, visit the race website.