Collegiate Running Association welcoming over 1,175 members to inaugural 10k road race championship

 

Entries include NCAA All-Americans, running clubs, and first-time 10k runners

 

March 20, 2014 - RICHMOND, VA – The Collegiate Running Association is set to welcome 1,175 members to its inaugural 10k road race championship in Richmond, VA on March 29, 2014. The race, which will be held as part of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Martin’s has already attracted 3,635 entrants that self-identified as taking at least one college class, 1,175 of which are members of the Collegiate Running Association.

 

“We could not be more excited about the overwhelming response we have received since beginning the Collegiate Running Association,” said co-founder Jon Molz. “To have 3,635 college students and 1,175 Collegiate Running Association members registered for our first championship event demonstrates that there is a need and desire for more opportunities specifically for the college student population.”

 

The entry list for the 10k championship boasts a handful of current and former NCAA All-Americans, representatives from various college running clubs, and first-time 10k runners. Of the 3,635 college students registered, more than 1,500 indicated that they have never completed a 10k race before.

 

“We formed the Collegiate Running Association in order to create new opportunities for all college students that enjoy running,” said Collegiate Running Association president Steve Taylor. “Our vision included elite runners, club runners, and social runners all converging at the same events, and already that vision is becoming a reality at the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k.”

 

As the first road race with prize money reserved specifically for college students, the Collegiate Running Association 10k championship has attracted a slew of highly decorated runners enrolled in college classes across the country that will battle for a $10,000 prize purse.

 

Leading college men’s entries as of 3/20/14 are:

 

Cole Atkins (Zap Fitness, Blowing Rock NC) – Former soccer standout at High Point University began running during his senior year in college and has quickly become a prominent road racer. (13:51 5000m road, 22:50 8k road, 29:20 10,000m)

 

Andrew Benford (Rogue Athletic Club, Austin TX) – Former NCAA D-I All-American for the University of Richmond (8:39 3k Steeple, 13:55 5000m, 65:35 half-marathon)

 

Paul Chelimo (Greensboro NC) – 2-time NCAA D-I runner-up in the 5,000m (2012 & 2013) for UNC-Greensboro (13:21 5000m, 28:37 10,000m XC)

 

Tyler McCandless (Newton Running Elite, Boulder CO) – 2012 Olympic Trials Qualifier, former NCAA D-I All-American for Penn State. (63:16 half-marathon, 2:16 marathon)

 

Ty McCormack (Auburn University, AL) – 2013 NCAA D-I Cross Country All-American, 2014 Indoor Track & Field All-SEC in the 3,000m and 5,000m. (3:45 1500m, 8:50 3k Steeple, 13:52 5,000m)

 

Leading college women’s entries as of 3/20/14 are:

 

Esther Erb (Lambertville NJ) - 2012 Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon, a Richmond native that went on to be a six-time NCAA D-III All-American and 2008 national champion in the 10,000m at Case Western University. (34:09 10,000m, 1:14:35 half-marathon, 2:36 marathon)

 

Ashley Higginson (Saucony, NJ/NY TC) – Represented team USA at the 2013 World Track & Field Championships in the 3k Steeplechase and was 4th at the 2012 Olympic Trials. Former three-time NCAA D-I All-American for Princeton University. (4:11 1500m, 8:59 3,000m, 9:34 3k Steeple)

 

Kellyn Johnson Taylor (Northern Arizona Elite, Flagstaff AZ) ­– A versatile racer on the track, roads, and in cross country from the mile to the half-marathon, was a multiple time NCAA D-I All-American for Wichita State. Placed 4th at the 2014 USA XC championships and recently had a top-10 finish at the USA 15k championships. (15:30 5,000m, 32:30 10,000m, 1:12:27 half-marathon)

 

Julie Patterson (Endorphin Fitness, Richmond VA) - University of Richmond school record holder in the 10,000m, a standout triathlete that placed 2nd in the 2011 US Collegiate National Triathlon championship and was a member of the USA gold medal winning triathlon team at the 2012 World University Games in Taiwan. (34:50 10,000m)

 

“We are extremely excited to crown the first Collegiate Running Association national champions on March 29,” said Jon Molz. “Any student enrolled in at least one college course is eligible for prize money and as a result we have undergraduates going up against graduate students, law students, students pursuing a PhD; there has never been an event quite like this. We have a great elite field for our first race that is full of current and former collegiate All-Americans and team USA members… it will be a tremendous race.”

 

The Collegiate Running Association 10k Championship will take place at 8:30am on Saturday March 29. Follow @collegerunning and visit www.collegiaterunning.org for live updates, and track your favorite runners by clicking here. To become a free member of the Collegiate Running Association, click here. If you would like to support the Collegiate Running Association, email info@collegiaterunning.org.