Most came because running is a regular part of their lives. Some came for fun. And a few even shook off the after-effects of New Year's Eve partying to jump-start a resolution.
"We're determined to get skinny for the new year," said Ashley Gibbs, 27, as she filled out paperwork with three of her friends to participate in yesterday's New Year's Day 10K, held at Monacan High School and produced by the Richmond Road Runners.
"We're determined to become runners and figured we'd start at the new year," added Jenny Cutright, 23, who, along with Gibbs, works at the Short Pump location of American Family Fitness.
This was the third year that the 6.2-mile run -- which looped along a hilly course through the Smoketree and Stonehenge neighborhoods in Chesterfield County -- took place on the first day of the new year.
Despite the chilly, gloomy weather -- temperatures hovered around 40 degrees at the race's 1 p.m. start -- about 400 people participated in the run.
"We try to time it so people can sleep in. It's a no-excuse race," said John Clark, race director and a member of the Road Runners. "It's not only the first day of the new year, but the first day of the new decade, so why not [participate]?"
According to the group's president, Sean Cusack, the Richmond Road Runners boasts about 2,000 members and is one of the 10 largest running clubs in the country.
One group of runners was easy to spot among the clumps of lycra and running shorts -- the "Run Like a Mother" club.
The women, who are all moms and regular runners, sported over their black athletic leggings cheetah-print miniskirts with pink stripes down the sides.
Their lighthearted team motto is "embarrassing cheetahs everywhere."
"It's kind of our social outlet, too," said Tonia Blanchet, 27, of the 11-member group. "We help keep each other motivated."
Though the run is designed more as a fun outlet than an intense competition -- all participants received a Richmond Road Runners knit cap and pizza and drinks were available post-race -- Kevin Peggs, 23, was still motivated to beat his standing from last year.
A student at High Point University in North Carolina who is home visiting family in Chesterfield, Peggs last year finished sixth in the New Year's Day run.
Yesterday, he breezed over the finish line in just more than 36 minutes, zippy enough to win the race.
"Those hills were brutal. I went out [Thursday] night and probably had one or two too many," Peggs said afterward, sweat pouring down his face. "But," he added with a small grin, "it worked out OK."
Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or mruggieri@timesdispatch.com.
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