College Fields Announced for the 2022 Collegiate 10k Championships
Richmond set to welcome nearly 1,000 college students for 10K Championships
April 21, 2022 - RICHMOND, VA – The Collegiate Running Association and the city of Richmond are set to welcome nearly 1,000 college students as part of the 7th annual Collegiate 10k Road Race National Championship event, held within the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger. A $3,500 prize purse is set aside for the top three men’s and women’s collegiate finishers.
2018 and 2019 champion Bethany Sachtleben (Northern Virginia College) is returning this year to defend her title, while the men will crown a new champion. The top athletes will be joined by a mix of competitive and social running college students from across the country. In all, over 16,000 runners are scheduled to compete this weekend and with a beautiful forecast in Richmond, the competition is sure to be exciting. This is truly Richmond’s biggest block party and has something for everyone.
“2022 marks our seventh-consecutive year hosting our 10k Championship as part of Richmond’s premier running event, the Monument Avenue 10k,” said co-founder Jon Molz. “We have a great partnership and have welcomed thousands of collegiate runners over the years, from first-time 10k participants to a future Olympic medalist, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome 1,000 more this Saturday.”
The entry list for the collegiate 10k championship boasts strong fields for both the men and women. A slew of undergraduate and graduate runners, along with a handful of strong local runners, should make for a deep and competitive field.
"We are really excited going into the championships,” said Collegiate Running Association president and co-founder, Steve Taylor. “We formed the Collegiate Running Association in order to create new opportunities for all college students who enjoy running, and to provide a unique and competitive experience within destination events. This event provides intense competition as well as an outstanding social experience for college students who want to experience the city of Richmond. It has something for everyone.”
The men’s field is strong with the following expected to push the pace up front: Brody Smith (Purdue), Reid Sharkey (George Mason University), Marlon Belden (Georgetown) and local University of Richmond and VCU standouts Peter Borger (University of Richmond), James Quinn (University of Richmond), Jordan Bendura (University of Richmond), Tanner Crochet (University of Richmond), Riley Fletcher (University of Richmond), Noah Campbell (University of Richmond), Even Leach (VCU) and Travis Krickovic (VCU).
For the women, 2018 and 2019 champion Bethany Sachtleben (Northern Virginia College), is returning to defend her title. Sachtleben, a standout at the George Mason University as an undergraduate, is now taking graduate classes while serving as Assistant Coach for the George Mason track & field program. She will face several competitors who will challenge her hopes of becoming a three-peat champion, including Peri Pavicic (George Washington University), Ave Grosenheider (UR-Law School), Anna George (University of Richmond), Kathryn Buss, Ashley Brown (VCU), Maggie Hudson (VCU), Lilly Smith (NC State) and University of Richmond’s Manon Stephen, Taylor Coleman, Kathryn Shea and Ashley Minns.
Sachtleben was the Collegiate Running Association’s 2016, 2018 and 2019 Athlete of the Year has an impressive resume where she has run 15:46 for 5k at the 2019 Raleigh Relays and 53:40 for 10 Miles at the 2019 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in Washington, DC.
In the spring of 2019, Sachtleben placed 2nd (51:08) at the USA Track & Field 15k Championships within Gate River Run held in Jacksonville, FL and she crushed her marathon personal best running 2:31:20 at the 2018 California International Marathon in Sacramento, CA placing 6th and grabbing the “A” standard for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. She also won the 2017 Richmond Marathon in 2:39:00 in her marathon debut.
The Collegiate Running Association will also be hosting a Champions warm-down and photo opportunities with top finishers after this year’s 10k race. Those wanting to warm-down with top finishers can report to the awards stage at 9:15AM, or 10:10AM for an opportunity to have your picture taken with the top finishers in the race.