More than 31,000 participants to take part in ninth annual event on April 5, event on cusp of top 25 in the world status.

The April 5 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K presented by POWERade closed registration at midnight last night after far surpassing a record limit of 30,000 participants, the largest in the event's nine-year history.

"We have record entries in our 10K, our Training Team, and our First Market Kids Run," notes Sports Backers' Executive Director Jon Lugbill. "We are thrilled that over 31,000 people have made a commitment to a healthier lifestyle and have signed up for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K. Since 2005, we have almost doubled in size."

And in a final effort to help those people who waited too long to register for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, the VCU Massey Cancer Center is offering 10 special entry slots after the official close. To qualify, donate or raise a minimum of $500 - checks payable to the Massey Cancer Center - and deliver to the Sports Backers office. Spaces will be awarded on a first come basis. The Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K and Sports Backers are proud to help the Massey Cancer Center "put cancer on the run."

Event bidding to be recognized as one of 25 largest in the world

With more than 31,000 people registered for the 2008 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, the event is now on the cusp of being one of the 25 largest road races of any distance in the entire world and one of the 10 largest in the United States. In 2007, the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K was the 16th largest U.S. race of any distance.

As races are ranked based on the official number of timed finishers, all participants in the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K, whether they are a runner or walker, are encouraged to wear the timing chip they receive at packet pick up.

Kids Run Still Open

Although entries for the First Market Mile Kid's Run presented by Minute Maid well exceed last year's pace, they will continue to be accepted online through March 31 and then until the conclusion of the Anthem Health and Fitness Expo at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2008 at the U-TURN Sports Performance Academy. More than 1,600 kids ages 5 to 12 are already registered.

Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K