The 6th Annual Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by POWERade, recognized in the past as the fastest growing running race in the country by USA Track & Field, has begun accepting online entries for the April 9, 2005 event. See the event Web site, www.sportsbackers.org. Registration has also opened for the YMCA 10k Training Team, designed to prepare runners and walkers alike for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k, and the First Market Mile Kids Run.

The 2005 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k will now accept 18,000 participants, up from the 14,000 limit set last year. The registration fee is $25 through January 15 and online registrants save $3. The First Market Mile Kids Run will double in size and accept 2,000 entries with an entry fee of $15 through January 15 ($12 online). Anyone wishing to mail in their registration for either event may download an entry form off the website or pick one up at any Ukrop's Super Market. The 2004 race reached its capacity and closed registration five weeks prior to the event.

The opening of registration marks the debut of the Sports Backers new registration system designed by Ironworks Consulting. The Richmond-based technology consulting firm has a long relationship with the Sports Backers, providing the live web coverage and real-time split times for the SunTrust Richmond Marathon.

"This is a major step for the Sports Backers to have a registration system that we own and is tailored to our events," said director of events Tracey Russell. "It speaks a lot to the growth that has occurred with our events over the past few years allowing us to have our own customized system."

"The Sports Backers do great things for the Richmond community and Ironworks is proud to be one of their partners," said Chris Cook, a Principal at Ironworks. "This was a project that we were really excited to be a part of. We've designed a system that is perfect for all of the Sports Backers events and which can easily be tailored to other companies and organizations putting on similar types of events."

The 10-week YMCA 10k Training Team program begins on January 29 and has a limit of 3,000 participants. The registration fee is $40 for YMCA members and $50 for non-members; entry into the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k is included. Online registrants save $3. Anyone wishing to mail in their Training Team registration may download an entry form off the website or pick one up at any Richmond-area YMCA branch.

Participants signing up for the 28th running of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, along with its companion races the NTELOS 8k and Richmond Times-Dispatch Kids Run on November 12, 2005, can also begin registering online. The registration fees (through December 31) are $50 for the marathon, $20 for the 8k and $15 for the Kids Run and online registrants save $5 when signing up at www.richmondmarathon.com.

Photo below: Reuben Chebii, winner of the 2004 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K. Click on the photo to see the 2004 race report.