Saturday, April 1 was not the first time Richmond's Mayor Levar Stoney has run in Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. Last year he ran when he was a private citizen. This was the first time he has run as the mayor of the City of Richmond, Virginia. Actually, it was the first time any sitting Mayor Of Richmond has run a 10k.
Mayor's time
Mayor Stoney's goal was to beat his personal best time of 45 minutes, 53 seconds from last year's race. On Saturday, he finished with a time of 46 minutes and 59 seconds. He fell a little behind. Nevertheless, he finished what he set out to do.
That's the philosophy he uses in getting things done for his beloved city.
The 36-year-old mayor crossed the finished line at 9 a.m. after running 6.2 miles as hard as he could. After finishing, he said he left it all on the field. It was quite noticeable that he was breathing hard as he talked, and his yellow "Team Massey" shirt was dripping with sweat.
Richmond mayor Levar Stoney runs the run when it comes to active living https://t.co/wMDMWn1PSt
— Mike Szvetitz (@Szvetitz) April 1, 2017
Stoney said it wasn't about him winning or being ahead of the people behind him. It was about him setting a good example for the healthy lifestyle he advocates. Sports Backers executive director Jon Lugbill said the mayor sent a positive message by racing with more than 26,000 runners and walkers who participated in the 18th annual Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k.
Lugbill concluded that Mayor Stoney is an incredible role model for Richmond.
Winners
People came from all over come to race, but it was Ryan Hagen who was the first to run through the tape after 30 minutes and 37 seconds. The 25-year-old former Virginia Tech track and field star came in second last year. The Waynesboro native won by only three seconds ahead of Nick Ciolkowski in the men's race.
Rachel Ward won her first title with a time of 35:55. The 27-year-old Charlottesville resident beat Rochelle Sceats by nearly a minute in the women's race.
The AT&T Dash for the Cash contestant chosen at random was Kathy Hoverman from Bon Air, Virginia. She took advantage of the 2.6-mile head start and won the $2,500 cash.
