2024 Ukrops 10K Welcomes 1,700 College Students for Championships

Collegiate 10K Road Race National Championships Return to Richmond Saturday

April 17, 2024 - RICHMOND, VA – The Collegiate Running Association and the city of Richmond are set to welcome 1,700 college students as part of the 9thannual Collegiate 10k Road Race National Championship event, held within the 25th Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger. A $3,500 prize purse is set aside for the top college men’s and women’s finishers.

The Collegiate Women’s field is led by Ryen Frazier (NC State University), who is set to defend the title she won here one year ago. At last year’s event, the former NC State women’s Cross Country runner and current PhD student finished in 35:08 to claim the $1,000 prize for the top collegiate finisher, 25 seconds ahead of runner-up Ainsley Jacobs (Towson University). Frazier should expect company this year as former 3-time Collegiate Running Association Athlete of the Year and two-time 10k champion (2018 and 2019), Bethany Sachtleben (NOVA), is scheduled to race. Plus Anna Rigby (Virginia Tech) who recently won the NIRCA Championship at the 5k distance, has entered.

A new men’s champion is set to be crowned in 2024, as the 2023 winner Robinson Snider will not be defending his title after completing graduate school last year. While Snider will not be returning, last year’s second and third place finishers Stuart Terrill and Jordan Bendura, from the University of Richmond, are both racing and figure to compete for the victory.

The top-3 collegiate finishers are set to receive prize money, while the top-10 collegiate finishers will receive awards. The top athletes will be joined by a mix of competitive and social running college students from across the country. In all, nearly 25,000 participants 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.

"We are really excited going into the championships,” said Collegiate Running Association president Steve Taylor. “In 2013 we formed the Collegiate Running Association to create new opportunities for all college students who enjoy running, and to provide a unique and competitive experience within destination events like the Ukrop’s 10K. This event provides an outstanding social experience for college students who want to experience the city of Richmond as well as intense competition for top runners. It has something for everyone.”

Jambar, the official energy bar of the Collegiate Running Association, is a sponsor of this year’s Collegiate 10k Championships. Jambar is an energy bar for promoting community and 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 competitive field.

“2024 marks our ninth-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 1,700 more this Saturday.”

In addition to defending champion Ryen Frazier (NC State), who owns a personal best of 16:02 for 5k, the women’s field will also be led by Bethany Sachtleben (Nova). Sachtleben has won this race twice, in 2018 and 2019, and is one of the most accomplished runners in CRA Championship history. Joining them is Anna Rigby (Virginia Tech), recently ran 17:20 to win the NIRCA Championship at the 5k distance. Beighley Ayers (Towson), Liza Neely (University of Virginia), Paige Joyce (Richmond) and Manon Stephen (Richmond) also figure to compete for top honors. Ayers boasts a personal best of 17:06 for 5k, while Neely, Joyce, and Stephen have run 17:50, 17:46 and 17:39, respectively.

2023 Collegiate Running Association’s Male Athlete of the Year Stuart Terrill (University of Richmond) figures to be a headliner in the men’s field. Terrill won the 2023 Collegiate Trail Running Championship in record time and finished in the runner-up position here one year ago. Terrill will be joined by Evan Goodell (William & Mary), who has a personal best of 4:06 in the mile, and Jordan Bendura (University of Richmond), who has a personal best of 14:17 for 5k and finished 3rd place in last year’s championship; and Evan Leach will certainly be in the mix.

Additional elite men that have run under 15:00 for 5k include Henry Haase (University of Richmond), Travis Albon (George Mason University), Noah Peterson (VCU), Matthew Kibet (Alabama State), Matthew Peart (VCU), William Marhold (University of Richmond), Reed Davis (Shenandoah University), Benjamin Roberts (Augusta), Noel Preece (Longwood University), Jaden Luczak (VCU), Adam Conklin (James Madison University) and Zach Stevens (University of Richmond).

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.

After the race head to Hardywood for ConnectCRA where there will be live Bluegrass starting at 2:00PM.