On the Move

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!

It's a Nan & Kam catch up week! We're discussing Saturday's 10k Training Team, 10k Love Week, and the first ever Palentine's Day! Mark your calendars because we've got all the giveaways coming your way on social!

This Saturday marks the first day of YMCA 10k Training Team. This 10-week program gets runners and walkers ready for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger on April 12. Nan & Kam talk to Nate Moubray, Head Coach at the Northside YMCA, about what he's most excited about for training season and what participants can expect if they join a team!

We were lucky enough to recently welcome two new staff members to the Sports Backers crew. Nan & Kam sit down with Drew Thornton, the Events Operations Assistant, and Natalie Rainer, the Engagement Manager for Bike Walk RVA to talk about their first weeks at SB. Hear about Drew's former life in Nebraska and Natalie's former life as a snake owner!

The second-annual Virginia Credit Union Half & 5k is coming up on March 8. Nan & Kam sit down with local runners, Sports Backers Ambassadors, and all around superwomen, Rachel Capone and Candace Broaddus. Hear about their race day experience last year. Find out why they think it's RVA's most picturesque course, and why Candace ran with a GoPro on her head.

Happy New Year! Nan & Kam kick off 2025 with Ginnina Eakle, Association Director of Wellness at the Greater Richmond YMCA. Ginnina shares secrets for making sure your fitness-related resolutions aren't too lofty, and how to set yourself up for success. Plus the YMCA 10k Training Team starts in just a few weeks!

The CarMax Tacky Light Run is this weekend! Virginia Goin is a long time resident of Walton Park, the neighborhood where the CarMax Tacky Light Run takes place, and has been there for every year of the event. She's one of the first houses on the course and has had a front row seat to 12 years of tacky. We figured who else to better get us in the holiday spirit before race day!

Nan & Kam sit down with the winner of the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon, and Richmond local, Rob Mazzanti. Rob gives the inside scoop on what it's like to be at the front of the pack, his mindset, training, and favorite race day memories. Did we mention he only started running two years ago?

Nan & Kam recap the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon and tell you what they were up to behind the scenes! Hear about the best signs, intense golf cart missions, and more. Plus, we highlight all that's to come in the spring season!

Running can mean so many things to so many different individuals. The rise of Richmond run clubs has allowed for the creation of meaningful safe spaces for everyone to accomplish their goals. Last week, the Health & Fitness Expo of the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon featured a live panel on 'What Running Did For Me' moderated by Lindsey Hein, and featuring Anthony Clary of We Off The Couch, Suellen Henneberry of Sportable, Kleigh Koupal of Effect Run Club, and Josh Leidy of 804 Run Club. Check out all they had to say about their respective clubs, running journeys, and advice for marathon runners! 

It's National Pickle Day, and we thought what better way to celebrate than with the Vice President of The Pickle Juice Company, Filip Keuppens. The Pickle Juice Company provides all of our pickle juice for the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon. We provide a lot of pickle puns, and learn some truly jaw dropping facts about the creation of pickle juice.

We've got Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon Race Director, Megan Schultz in the studio to answer all of your burning questions about race weekend! We cover everything from what time you should get to the start, to what you can expect on the menu at our junk food stops! 

We've been talking all things active, yappin', and of course gigglin' for a full year! To celebrate Nan & Kam recap their favorite moments, and head to the streets for Kamryn to ask people marathon related trivia. We recommend watching this one because you have past clips, Halloween costumes, and roaming around Richmond!

We're excited to have podcast host and run-fluencer, Lindsey Hein, returning for her second year at the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon. Last year Lindsey made history as our first female announcer. This year she's back on the mic, and you can find her moderating a live panel titled 'What Running Did For Me' with some big names in the Richmond running scene. Other than than you can find her at Stella's Market, because she's obsessed.

John Raigins has been an instrumental part of Sports Backers for 20 years. He's a man behind the scenes, but his knowledge of our courses and event operations can't be beat. Hear about what his typical race day looks like, the sometimes unglamorous things he has to do at events, what goes into creating new race courses, and more. 

There's nothing quite like training for your first full marathon! Sue Henneberry is a an adaptive athlete with Sportable who completed her first half marathon last year, and quickly decided a full marathon was her next move. She's training with Sports Backers Marathon Training Team and does a variety of sports to cross-train.

If you run around Richmond, you've seen Anthony Clary and We Off The Couch. Anthony founded the group in 2019 and they've continued to grow in numbers, and in their mission to support all runners no matter where they are in their journey. They've got a crew doing varying distances at the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon this November. Check out their race day plans and learn more about how they look to inspire others!

After 31 years of service, Sports Backers' Executive Director, Jon Lugbill, announced his plan to retire at the end of June 2025. We sat down with Jon to get his thoughts on why now is the right time and what he's looking forward to as he ends his chapter at Sports Backers.

The Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon tries to cater to all our participants and a huge part of that is our pace teams! This week Nan & Kam talk with Karen McCarthy, the pace team coordinator, and Steven Kim, who paced the race last year. Hear all about the mindset of a pacer, how you can join a team, and how you can volunteer to make someone's race day goals come true! 

President's Council is Sports Backers' young professional group. It's an awesome way to socialize, network, volunteer, and meet other active people in Richmond who are passionate about inspiring active living. Nan & Kam talk with the chair of President's Council, Desiree Tunnell, about how she got involved, why she loves it, and why you should join too! 

Sports Backers is celebrating the kick off of our Active Living Leadership ALL Stars program! We work with 21 rising senior student-athletes throughout the year to teach them more about leadership and how active living can play a role within their communities. Nan & Kam talked to the program leader, Jacki Quinlan, about all things ALL Stars and what she's looking forward to this year.

It's that time of year! Temps are already slightly cooler and kids are going back to school. Nan & Kam chat with Leigh Busby of Greater Richmond Fit4Kids about how best to transition kids back to a schedule and all the great programming they have throughout Richmond schools. Hear about how they're making healthy habits accessible for all and their upcoming Fun Fest!

The Ashland Half & 5k is next Saturday and we brought in Event Director, Mara George, and Sports Backers Marathon Training Team Coach Chris Mason to tell us why it's summer's hottest half! Whether you're running Richmond in the fall  and want a tune up, or just looking for a quaint little 5k, this could be your next race! 

You might've heard the Sports Backers Half Marathon Training Team starts this weekend! We sat down with head coach Cheryl Groce-Wright (and RVA Sports Awards Coach of the Year) to go over all the training details. There's still time to join the team, so listen and see if it's the right fit for you!

Richmond loves their run clubs! This week Nan & Kam sit down with Josh Leidy, one of the leaders of 804 Run Club that meets at Hardywood. Learn more about how inclusive and encouraging 804 Run Club is and how you can get involved! We gotta throw in a little fun Olympics aside too obviously!

We're joined by Jaide Hinds-Clark, a former women's basketball standout at the University of Richmond who now resides in Richmond with her wife (and soon to be baby!). Jaide got into running to stay in shape and be part of a community, and she soon found one in We Off The Couch. Hear about what the run club has meant to her and all the other ways she's helping to improve RVA as a whole!

We visited Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC) to learn more about their RACC Runners program that pairs volunteers with dogs for recreational runs. Lydia Worden from RACC joins us at the shelter and introduces us to some top notch puppers. Watch this one! The beginning is a shelter visit with some heavy hitting dog reporting, and then we head back to the studio with Lydia for all the info on how you can get involved.

We're all used to Kam playing host, but this week...she's the guest! Hear about her journey to becoming Sports Backers' Social Media Manager. Learn about her most embarrassing moments creating her own content, and what it's like to try and keep up with the ever changing social media landscape!

If you're a part of the running scene in Richmond chances are you've heard of Elliott, or you've seen him on a run, at a race, or in our marketing material! He's been a part of Sports Backers Marathon Training Team for over 20 years and is extremely active in all things running. We talk about how he discovered his love of running in his 40s and more!

It's a Nan & Kam week, which means the girls are gabbing. Topics are fitness trends, Kam's quarterly goals, what to expect on the pod the coming weeks...and of course, this or that!

Nan & Kam talk with Frank Finn, one of the founding members of Run Short Pump. Run Short Pump is a running group in the West End that meets twice a week. They recently celebrated 20 years together. Frank gives us the highlights and shares how you can get involved!

Nan & Kam take the pod on the road to Great Falls Park for the annual Sports Backers staff outing! Hear about two different hikes they did, who had the best car snacks, and more. We recommend watching this one to get the full picture! Plus Kam got some wild video of a helicopter.

Today is the Markel Corporate Run and Camryn Fitzgerald of Scott Insurance is the lucky individual chosen as the Allianz Partners Summer Bonus Sprint participant! Hear about her strategy to win big at tonight's event. Nan & Kam also catch you up on their research trip to Denver!

If you're a runner in Richmond, chances are you've heard about Effect. The run club was created by Kleigh Koupal and two friends who realized when running with others the effect was that you created community, and added to your overall community as a whole. Learn more about their crew, upcoming fun events, and why it seems like everybody is running with Effect!