Ethiopian Teferi Bacha was a surprise victor at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K today, finishing in 28 minutes, 29 seconds. The 21-year-old professional runner's first American appearance netted him $4,500--$2,000 for first place, plus the $2,500 purse in the Cingular Dash for the Cash. Bacha, in the country for only a week, edged out close pursuing Kenyans Fred Mayaka Tumbo, second at 28:34, and Joseph Koskei, third at 28:34, who finished just ahead of the Cingular Dash for the Cash Contestant Kimberly Taylor.

Despite being caught within sight of the finish, Taylor (42), was upbeat about her performance and time of 29:112. "I had fun," said Taylor, whose 2.4-mile head start over the field of elite runners was feted by thousands of Richmonders as she ran down picturesque Monument Avenue in the heart of Richmond's historic Fan District with the elite field in hot pursuit.

In the women's 10K division, 24-year-old Kenyan Magdalene Makunzi won the $2,000 first prize for the second straight year, this time setting a course record in the process. Her time of 32:24 was 4 seconds better than the old race standard set by Edna Kiplagat in 2003 and 9 seconds faster than she ran last year. Kenyans Florence Jepkosegui and Caroline Cheptanui won second and third respectively at 32:48 and 33:06.

A total of 25,023 participants registered for the race, a record field for Virginia's largest participant race. The morning began with 1,782 children ages 6 through 12 participating in the First Market Mile Kids Race presented by Minute Maid. It is estimated that the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K raised more than $250,000 for the VCU Massey Cancer Center.

The Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K's appeal goes beyond sheer numbers, with runners competing in creative costumes like a seven-person group who dressed as Austin Powers and the Shaggadelics or a young man who dressed as Fred Flinstone, complete with his foot-powered car. There were more than 20 bands entertaining runners and spectators along the route. Spirit groups rallied participants with cheers and encouragement and there were party stops set up for spectators to fashion signs for a favorite runner.

And in addition to the speed of the elite runners, there were some inspiring accomplishments: 18 American service members competed in two "satellite" Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10Ks in Fallujah, Iraq to commemorate the race for Major Christopher Brooks, a Mechanicsville, Virginia resident, whose wife, Lisa Clemmer and daughter, Channing, were walkers in the 10K. Major Brooks and his family have enjoyed the race as a family activity for the past two years, and he could not be there with them this year due to his deployment.

Another inspiring group were the 20 blind and visually impaired students of the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI) who walked without sight guides. "We decided it would be really good for us and them, too," said Director of the VRCBVI Training Center. "The walk was empowering and people were encouraging us along the way. Everyone went at their own pace."

The 2008 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K will take place on Saturday, April 5. Registration is expected to open on December 26, 2007.

For more information about the event, see the race Web site.