Low-income athletes who wish to participate in the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k road race will be permitted to dash without cash — well, almost — in 2012.
The Richmond Sports Backers on Wednesday unveiled a program that will allow individuals with annual incomes of $20,000 or lower to take part in a 10-week training team regimen and compete in the March 31 race for $10. The standard training team/race entry fee is $55.
"The only way to truly help your community is to actually get out and get involved in your community," said Cheryl Oliver, a mother of two who will coach a training team based at Richmond Community Hospital on Church Hill.
Oliver, 40, who has run four marathons — three in Richmond — said she is eager to bring the benefits of energy and activity to "a part of our community that, let's face it, very much needs to be healthy."
She said participants in the income-incentive program — particularly those who are running for the first time — will find psychological as well as physical rewards.
"The feeling you get when you make up your mind to do something you've never done before and then you actually go out and do it, you can take it from me: The sense of accomplishment is tremendous," Oliver said.
Participants will be required to provide at least one proof of income at the time of registration: a letter of verification from Social Services, a federal income tax return or two December/January pay stubs. Registration can be done at any local YMCA branch or at the Sports Backers' office adjacent to The Diamond. Training team workouts begin Jan. 21.
Why $10? Race organizers were concerned that no-fees-attached registration would do little to foster a genuine sense of commitment.
Said Oliver: "I think it's important that (a first-time training team member) be fully vested in the process. If there's no cost to you whatsoever, you may not feel the same level of accountability" to yourself and other team members.
The income-incentive program is part of a Sports Backers' push to establish Richmond and its surrounding counties as the most physically active region in the nation.
Sports Backers executive director Jon Lugbill said regular exercise "is the No. 1 thing — probably more so even than diet — when it comes to health and well-being."
Lugbill said his organization hopes to encourage activity by stressing the enjoyment associated with events such as the 10k.
Said Lugbill: "We're not going to say, 'This is a good way to reduce your risk of Type II diabetes.' We're going to say, 'You know what? This is fun.' We'll use a carrot. We'll let someone else use a hammer."
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