Stealing the show
4/8/2016, 7:28 a.m.
The 17th Annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K is this weekend.
Even though participants may be running in cold and rainy conditions along a route laden with statues of vanquished icons of the Confederacy, the event typically provides a fun, healthy and wholesome experience for runners, walkers and observers alike.
However, we question changes made by organizers in recent years that have transformed the complexion of those in the winners’ circle.
Runners from Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia have won the men’s and women’s events — and their small purses — for 14 years, often setting course records.
But no more.
The elite East African runners rarely have come to Richmond for the Monument Avenue 10K since 2014, when a rules change dedicated prize money solely to competitors who are members of the Collegiate Running Association. Membership, while free, requires athletes to be enrolled in at least one college class.
The CRA’s new rules have the effect — if not the intent — of excluding some of the best runners in the world from the Richmond race.
Last year’s winners included runners preparing for Olympic trials. While that’s commendable, they lacked the quality competition that could help improve their skills and their times.
That’s a great loss for a city that strives to consider itself world class.
So, as you watch runners loop around the Confederate losers this weekend, remember you’ll be seeing only part, but not the whole picture.
