Abdi Abdirahman of Tucson, AZ (in photo) successfully defended his national championship title in the USA 10K Men's Championships at today's Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, finishing in 28 minutes,32 seconds. The 30-year-old's second consecutive national title in the men's 10K road race was worth $7,500. "I like this course," said Abdi. "It's a flat course, very fast. I'd like to come back and race it again."

Dan Browne, 32 of Beaverton, OR was second with a time of 28:36. Last month Browne placed second in the 15K National Championships in Jacksonville, FL. That is two national championships second place finishes in less than a month. "Second is good," said Browne, pointing to his belly. "It keeps the fire burning."

Both Abdirahman and Browne are serious contenders for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in the 10,000 meter event and consider today's race a good tune-up for their Olympic preparation. Fasil Bizuneh of Concord, MA, who was third at 29:03, also showed well for himself.

But it was Billy Weldon of Glen Allen, VA who was the day's spoiler, as he captured the $2,500 purse as winner of the AT&T Dash for the Cash. Weldon, an everyman runner who was selected at random from Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K registrants, was given a 2.8-mile head start and the opportunity to claim the cash if he bested the field. He crossed finish line almost two minutes ahead Abdirahman, who had teased him to watch out at a press conference the day before. This is only the second time in four attempts that the Dash for the Cash runner has claimed the prize.

In the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K women's race 32-year-old Kenyan Leah Kiprono won the $2,000 first prize with a 32:24. Richmond runners Cheryl Anderson (34:22) and Maria Elena Calle (35:15) were second and third respectively.

With a record registration of 31,158 runners and walkers, and a record finishers' tally of 24,055, the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, now in its ninth year, continues its torrid growth rate. The morning began with another registration record as 1,891 children ages 6 through 12 participated in the First Market Mile Kids Race presented by Minute Maid.

"This race has rapidly grown into one of Richmond's favorite active experiences," said Jon Lugbill, executive director of the Sports Backers. "It has become a healthy celebration for so many groups - families, friends, office groups, school groups, and people who meet each other through their training programs. We had more participants in costume, more bands, more high energy spirit groups than ever before. And our charitable partner, the VCU Massey Cancer Center expects to raise more than $500,000 in donations. It's Richmond at its best and healthiest."

Not only were they running today at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, but they were funning. There were more than 27 bands entertaining runners and spectators along the route and at the Minute Maid Race Festival. More than 20 spirit groups in the Hirschler Fleischer spirit contest rallied participants with cheers and encouragement. And four Anderson & Strudwick Party Stops spectators fashioned placards and encouraging signs for a favorite runner or walker. Stops also featured noisemakers and band accompaniment.

Almost 180 runners and walkers participated in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Dress Up and Contest, another event record. The individual winner was Boren Eam of Midlothian, VA whose costume as the Ultimate Warrior earned him $500. The group winner was the Tooth Troop (see photo below) a 13-person ensemble of themed teeth, a dentist and a tube of toothpaste who wall work together at Atkins, Maestrello, & Associates Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond. They will donate half their $500 prize to the VCU Massey Cancer Center. Another area of growth was in the Performance Food Group 10K Healthy School Challenge which recruited more than 2,200 high school and middle school kids to enter the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K. The winning high school Trinity Episcopal won the high school division, claiming a $500 prize. And Millwood School in Chesterfield County won the middle school division, also good for a $500 prize.

Cash Awards

MEN 
1) Abdi Abdirahman 	(AZ) 	28:32 	$7500
2) Dan Browne 	        (OR)	28:36 	$4000
3) Fasil Bizuneh 	(AZ) 	29:03	$3000
4) Josh Moen 	        (IA) 	29:06 	$2500
5) Ryan Sheehan 	(MI) 	29:17 	$2000
6) Clint Wells 	        (CO) 	29:20 	$1500
7) Fernando Cabada 	(CO) 	29:30 	$1250
8) Macharia Yuot 	(PA) 	29:38 	$1000
9) Josh Eberly 	        (CO) 	29:40 	$750
10) Alan Culpepper 	(CO) 	29:44 	$500 
11) Paul Jellema 	(MI) 	29:47 	$500
12) Michael Smith 	(AZ) 	29:53 	$500 
WOMEN
1) Leah Kiprono 	(KEN) 		32:19 	$2000
2) Cheryl Anderson 	(USA / VA) 	34:22 	$1000 
3) Maria Elena Calle 	(ECU) 		35:14 	$800
4) Atalelech Ketema 	(ETH) 		35:15 	$600
5) Jeanne Collonge 	(USA / VA) 	38:31	$400
6) Jackie Kosakowski 	(USA / VA) 	38:43 	$200
7) Meg Letherby 	(US / CO)	39:35 	$100 

Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K