Midlothian woman will go toe-to-toe with running elites

By: VIC DORR JR. TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER | Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: March 27, 2009

Midlothian's Anne Parker crossed the finish line at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K last year.

Anne Parker's pleasant run on a spring morning in Richmond has suddenly become very, very serious.

Parker was chosen earlier this month as the individual who will dash for cash in tomorrow's 10th anniversary Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K. Parker, a Midlothian resident who describes herself as a "fortysomething" mother of four, will be given a 2.7-mile head start on the elite runners in the field of more than 32,000. If she is the first to cross the finish line she will collect a $2,500 bonus. If an elite runner finishes first, he will receive the $2,500 bonus and a $2,000 first-place check.

"I'm very nervous," said Parker. "And the closer the race gets, the more and more nervous I become."

Parker, a preschool teacher at the Salisbury Church of the Redeemer, started running only four years ago. She has competed in the past three Monument Avenue events. She said she was "totally shocked" when her name was selected at random from the list of advance registrants to participate in the AT&T dash for cash.

Her best performance in the Monument Avenue race, 48:37, occurred last year. She estimated that this year's event will require her to run 3.5 miles in roughly 27 minutes.

"I've been trying to concentrate on speed work" during her pre-race preparations, she said. "Usually I don't worry too much about it. Usually I just show up and run." She said the trainer with whom she works at the Woodlake Swim and Raquet Club, Noel Larson, has provided "a little bit of help. But mostly I'm trying to figure it out on my own."

Parker, aware that the elite men in the field are capable of completing a 10K in roughly 28 minutes, has established 27 minutes as her target. "I think it's probably a good idea to have a little cushion built in."

Parker said her husband, Robbie, registered for the 10K but has decided not to run.

"He's going to wait for me at the finish line instead," she said.

Contact Vic Dorr Jr. at (804) 649-6442 or vdorr@timesdispatch.com.