College Fields Announced for the 2023 Collegiate 10k Championships
Richmond set to welcome nearly 1,100 college students for 10K Championships
April 21, 2023 - RICHMOND, VA – The Collegiate Running Association and the city of Richmond are set to welcome nearly 1,100 college students as part of the 8th 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 ten men’s and women’s collegiate finishers.
New champions are set to be crowned in 2023 as the 2022 champions (Peri Pavicic and Brody Smith) will not be defending their titles. Additionally, the top-3 collegians are set to receive prize money and the top-10 collegians are set to receive awards. The top athletes will be joined by a mix of competitive and social running college students from across the country. In all, over 19,000 runners are scheduled to compete this weekend and with a beautiful forecast in Richmond for Saturday morning, the competition is sure to be exciting. This is truly Richmond’s biggest block party and has something for everyone.
“2023 marks our eighth-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 1,100 more this Saturday.”
This year is also special because it was recently announced that Jambar has partnered with the Collegiate Running Association as a sponsor of this year’s 10k Championships. Jambar is an energy bar for promoting community and eating healthy organic nutrition, much in line with the Collegiate Running Association’s mission to promote healthy lifestyles among college students. In addition to being available for sampling at the race expo, the top collegiate finishers will also be receiving free product as part of their award.
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 Steve Taylor. “For the 8th year the Ukrop's 10K will host our championships. 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: Robinson Snider (NC State) – boasting personal bests of 13:49 for 5k and 28:59 for 10k; Stuart Terrill (University of Richmond) – with a 14:09 personal best for 5k; Jordan Bendura (University of Richmond) – 14:22 personal best for 5k. Additional elite men that have run under 15:00 for 5k include Thomas Amabile, Tanner Crochet, Riley Fletcher, Robbie Gunia, Henry Haase, and Evan Leach.
For the women, Ryen Frazier (NC State), who owns a personal best of 16:02 for 5k, is expected to lead the charge of elite athletes. Ainsley Jacobs has also run under 17 minutes for 5k and should be a factor. Additionally, Ida Oesteraas (ODU), and a handful of University of Richmond women – Anna George, Paige Joyce, Lily Snow, Manon Stephen, Elizabeth Stockman, should be competitive as well. Also keep an eye out as former Collegiate Running Association Athlete-of-the-Year (2020), Keira D’Amato, headlines the women’s open field. Living and training right here in Richmond, D’Amato has emerged as one of the top women’s distance runners in the US over the last few years with numerous accolades including at one point setting the US record for the marathon of 2:19:22, and representing Team USA at the 2022 World Championships in the marathon, where she finished 8th overall.
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.