On the Move

For years Bart Yasso has been a name in the running industry, most notably he was the Chief Running Officer at Runner's World Magazine. Now Bart is sharing his top runs in a book with National Geographic. One of his picks is the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger, so obviously we had to sit down and ask the expert why we made the cut!

This week Sports Backers unveiled the participant shirt, and the finisher medal for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger. Hear about all the other 10k Reveal Day highlights from our Race Director Meghan Keogh, and find out why you should still consider doing the YMCA 10k Training Team!

Coming off a week of ice and cold temps, we're ready to warm you up with spring events! Get a sneak peek at 10k Reveal Day, The People's Finisher giveaway, the start of 10k Training Team...and sign up for Virginia Credit Union River City Half & River City 5k before it sells out!

We have a new Development Manager, Ryan McCracken! Ryan started in January, but we've seen him before. He won the inaugural Virginia Credit Union River City Half and he placed third at this year's Allianz Richmond Marathon. Hear more about his love of running, passion for donuts, and movie grading scale.

The YMCA 10k Training Team for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k kicks off on February 7. Nan & Kam chat with Louise Lockett-Gordon about her 10 years coaching at the Church Hill location. Find your new training family and sign up today!

The Virginia Credit Union River City Half and River City 5k is celebrating a fun announcement this week! We're adding a spirit contest called Rally for River City to encourage more community groups to flock to the Virginia Credit Union River City Half course and pump those runners up! Did we mention cash prizes are involved? Check out Nan & Kam's chat with Kristen Eichert from Sports Backers for all the deets!

Sports Backers is now offering fitness classes at the Sports Backers Fitness Studio! We have a crew of Fitness Warriors offering a variety of classes for $10 a session and it's the perfect way to keep up with your New Year's resolutions. Nan & Kam talked with Chanette Hawkes, one of the instructors that's currently teaching a circuit class. Come check 'em out!

This week we talk about the CarMax Tacky Light Run, Sports Backers holiday happenings, our holiday traditions, and what you can expect from our events in 2026! Check out the last On The Move before a two week hiatus!

Enjoy a recording of a live panel from the Allianz Richmond Marathon Health & Fitness Expo with Game Changers founder Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell and a selection of coaches with the program. They discuss Revolutionizing the Runner Landscape and how coaching is proving beneficial to female runners.

Join us for a special pod that was recorded live at the Health & Fitness Expo for the Allianz Richmond Marathon. Lindsey Hein of I'll Have Another, and Trevor Spencer of Marathon Training Academy share an inspiring conversation with professional runner, Sophia King about the strength we find within ourselves to push through the unexpected and the daily grind of life.

Nan & Kam chat with one of the head coaches of the Winter Training Team, Jon Pigg. Jon's a long time Sports Backers volunteer coach and shares all the secrets of what makes Winter Training Team the group you might be missing out on. Check it out, and join them as they train for the Virginia Credit Union River City Half!

'Tis the season to get tacky! Nan & Kam ventured to the Walton Park neighborhood, home of the CarMax Tacky Light Run! See what one resident, Ned Dunford, is working on for his yard!

District Running Collective is bringing a group from DC to run Richmond, and to be part of the infamous Allianz Richmond Marathon Community Spirit Group stop with We Off The Couch and November Project. See what's in store with DJ Matt and Stephanie!

This is maybe the biggest podcast in On The Move history because it's our 100th episode! Nan & Kam sit down with Meghan Keogh, Race Director of the Allianz Richmond Marathon, to talk all things race week and what you can look forward to when you run Richmond!

The Allianz Richmond Marathon is known for being 'America's Friendliest' and a huge part of that is our Community Spirit Groups. Lance Brown, from November Project, has been a part of the famous cheer squad located two miles from the finish for the last few years. They've taken the winning title multiple times, so he has the insight your group needs to make this year wilder than ever!

With the Allianz Richmond Marathon coming up in a few weeks we sat down with the lead volunteers behind the water stops. Jay, JM, and Marci manage all the stops along all three courses, and work with the hundreds of volunteers that make race day possible. Warning - listening may make you want to volunteer!

Last podcast we mentioned that we're currently hiring for two open positions here at Sports Backers. This week Nan & Kam ask the staff their favorite things about being part of the SB team, so everyone can see a small snapshot of what it's like to work with us. Want to wear running clothes at work? Sure! Eat chicken wings at your desk? Go crazy! This is one to be watched on YouTube!

This week Nan & Kam roll guestless and catch you up on everything happening at Sports Backers in the coming weeks. From corporate events to new job openings, President's Council events, and more! Get your fall update!

What started out as a simple vlog ended up starting a walking movement in Richmond and beyond for Tae Waddey. As the founder of Homegirl Hike, Tae has created a community where all are welcome, and a place where people can focus on fitness and friendship. Check them out!

Nan & Kam sit down with Jeff Ocampo, a local photographer/videographer and running enthusiast. Jeff talks about overcoming difficult life struggles through the running community and staying active. This is one everyone can relate to!

Charlotte Baker is a senior at Appomattox Governor's School. She's also involved in Sports Backers' ALL Stars program, she's a Fitness Warrior, and she's on Sports Backers Marathon Training Team. At school she's involved in Cross Country, and still does all the normal things a teenager does. This one will make you rethink your own time management.

Bethany Britz has been a Kids On The Move fitness coach with her Kids on the Move 804 club. Her passion for helping led her to fundraising for a charity entry into the Allianz Richmond Marathon. She's already surpassed her goal and we can't wait to see her crush her race. 

As you may have seen, the Allianz Richmond Marathon is officially sold out! With the Wait List and the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon quickly filling, Nan & Kam chatted with Meghan Keogh, the new Race Director for the event. Get excited for November!

Nan & Kam sit down with local athlete Suzanne McWilliams. Suzanne, 76, is getting ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime representing Team USA in the World Triathlon Champions in Australia. Hear how she's managed to prioritize active living all her life.

Nancy Thomas, President and CEO of InUnison, recently completed the hike of a lifetime. She did over 500-miles along the Camino de Santiago trail in France and Spain. Hear all the highlights of her solo trip, and advice she has for people looking to do something life-changing.

Capital Run Club has been taking to the streets of Richmond for the last year and encouraging people to get more active. Jack Oppenheim, the group's founder, chatted with Nan about the group's community runs and how they got started. Catch their scavenger hunt run this Saturday! 

Rainey is a multi-year coach with the Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team. She started her own running journey as a participant and has stuck around in some capacity ever since. Hear why HMTT is so effective from someone who knows it inside and out!

Dion Ellis, Graphic Designer at Sports Backers, shares his design process for everything from merchandise to finisher swag. This week is Reveal Week for the Allianz Richmond Marathon so Dion's basically a celebrity.

It's almost time for the Ashland Half & 5k! Nan and guest host Ashlee chat with Emmy Richards and Kelly Franke with the Town of Ashland. Hear the inside scoop when it comes to restaurants, post-race plans, parks, and more that you can enjoy in the Center of the Universe!

Nan & Kam are joined by Mary Marshall Graeber, Sports Backers' Volunteer Coordinator. Hear about all the volunteer jobs available, the perks of helping out, and how you can get involved!

Nan & Kam talk with Arlene Cary, a PE teacher at St. Joseph's Catholic School who is a Fitness Warrior, YMCA Instructor, and Kids On The Move Coach. Basically if it's an initiative to help others get active, Arlene is involved. Hear how she stays motivated and what she does when she gets some time for herself.

At Sports Backers we normally do at least one staff outing a year, a traditional started by Jon Lugbill. Last week we went on Jon's last staff excursion and thought it would be a great time to document and ask everyone what their favorite one has been throughout the years.

Nan & Kam sit down with Jon Lugbill before his last day at Sports Backers. They get all the inside info on his proudest moments, favorite events, and what he's most looking forward to about retired life.

Nan & Kam are out of the studio! Last week was the Markel Corporate Run, and we're giving you the behind the scenes look at all the fun that went down. You're definitely going to want to watch this one on YouTube!

Brian McDaniel and Nicole Zawitkowski have made the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team their friendship tradition. Hear why they love the team, what keeps them coming back, and why they might prefer the training to race day!

RVA Bike Month wraps up in a few weeks, so Nan & Kam sat down with Natalie Rainer, Bike Walk RVA's Engagement Manager, to talk about all of this year's events and how you can still get involved. Visit rvabikemonth.com for all the details on upcoming events!

It's a Nan & Kam yap sesh as they recap Dominion Energy Riverrock weekend. Hear what went on behind the scenes, and all of Kam's brilliant ideas for 2026!

All dogs get zoomies...let your dog get their energy out Dominion Energy Riverrock's Agility Competition! Nan & Kam talked to Shemeck Piatek, owner of the Zoom Room, a dog training and agility facility. Shemeck will be running the competition and shares how your dog can do a trial run through Dominion Energy Riverrock's Adventure Zones. Watch this one on YouTube so you can see some cute pups showing off!

Richmond is fortunate to be home to the Virginia Capital Trail—a fully paved, 51.7-mile multi-use path that stretches across four jurisdictions. Nan & Kam sit down with Cat Anthony, Executive Director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, to discuss how individuals can make the most of this scenic trail and learn about exciting upcoming events. 

In 2018 marathoner Kirk Millikan decided he wanted to take on a new challenge. He wanted to run every street in Richmond...that's 2,200 streets. Fast forward to now and Kirk finds himself embarking on the end of his challenge. Nan & Kam talk with him about the plans for his final run, and what he's learned along the way. 

If you were at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger you might've seen Sophie King whizzing by the competition. The Richmond native completed the 10k in 33:36.34 and was the first female finisher. Nan, Kam & Sophie chat all about her win, her transition from swimmer to runner, and growing up as a quadruplet. 

This April marked Jon Lugbill's last Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k at the helm of Sports Backers. To celebrate he got to run the event he created in 2000...so really it was his first 10k as a participant! Jeff Kelley, of Kelley & Co., was at the start and finish lines to interview him as he celebrated 26 years of the event.

VCU Athletics participated in the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k and the Massey Challenge with Team Ram Nation. Nan & Kam talk with Robby Robinson, the voice of the Rams, about his 10k experience (spoiler - he killed it), and why running has been a constant in his life. 

You might know Richmonder Keya Wingfield, from the Food Network, Candy Valley Cake Company, and most recently Keya's Snacks. But what you might not know about Keya is that physical activity, and walking the 10k have been huge in her weight loss journey. Check out her motivations, how her businesses started, and why you're going to want to see her on the course!

This fall, Sports Backers announced that Jon Lugbill, our Executive Director of the last 32 years, was planning to retire. After a nation-wide search, we now know who will be taking over in June and it's none other than Sports Backers' own Will Dixon! Nan & Kam sat down with Will to talk about what it feels like to be the new Executive Director, and what he's excited about for the future!

Nan & Kam reveal their new podcast room and chat with Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k Race Director, Meghan Keogh. Meghan has led the charge on the 10k for the last 10 years, so she's basically an expert! Hear some of her favorite race day memories and what you can look forward to this year.

Sports Backers officially made our move to Lakeside Avenue this week and we're now located at our active living hub! Nan & Kam give you a tour of the space, and show off some of the features they're most excited about. We recommend watching this one!

Richmond's biggest block party was once just an idea of Jon Lugbill! Sports Backers' Executive Director played a huge role in the creation of the popular event, and has been at every 10k since. This year will be Jon's final 10k at the helm, so Nan & Kam sat down to chat with him about the evolution of the event and what he's looking forward to.

It's almost event week here at Sports Backers, so Nan & Kam talked with Virginia Credit Union River City Half & 5k Race Director, Molly Johnson. Molly fills us in on everything participants can expect from the event, her favorite course highlights, and her preferred taste in bagels!

This week Nan & Kam sit down with 11-year-old River Hale and talk about his training journey with the YMCA 10k Training Team. River's mom, Alison, works at Sports Backers and is training with him. River tells us about his hardest training run, race day goals, and his thoughts on popular sitcoms.

If you're a Richmonder, you love Ukrop's. It's just an unspoken rule! As the title sponsor of the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger for all 26 years of the event, they're iconic! Nan & Kam talked with Daniel Riddick, Director of Marketing for Ukrop's Homestyle Foods, about the long-standing partnership...and obviously about White House Rolls, Rainbow Cookies, quiche, chicken salad, and cake!