This year this race was SO HOT and HUMID! But somehow, I still PRed my 10k time!

I might be the only Richmonder that doesn't absolutely love the Monument Ave 10k.... it is SUPER congested, so you feel like you are weaving in and out of people for a few miles.

It is laid out very well and the volunteers are amazing. They give you Ukrops White House Rolls at the end -- which in my opinion is the reason to run the 10k!

While I have a love/hate relationship with this race, I do think it's one that anyone should try!

This is one of my absolute favorite races! It's a nice, small town feel down a beautiful course lined with beach houses. There is one bridge (big hill...) long around mile 9 that you have to go up and over (so twice the hill) which is a little annoying -- but breaks the race up a little. I love the local course support and the pizza and beer at the end! I think this is an awesome race and I can't wait to run it again in the future.

The packet pickup/expo is very small -- but to be expected for a small race.

I would recommend this race to anyone.

Sportsbacker's does a great job with this race!

Parking in downtown Richmond isn't always the best, especially on race morning, so I would recommend having someone drop you off and pick you up if possible.

The course is beautiful - spanning much of the city. There are a few hills (a big one near the Flying Squirrel's baseball diamond). But overall it is a very nice course.

The crowd support at this race is AMAZING!

The downhill (massively downhill) finish is A LOT of fun! You end up going so fast that you think you might roll forward! Makes for an awesome finish.

J&A puts on an amazing race and post race party! I highly recommend this race.

The expo always has a fair amount of things going on. I loved the scenery of this race -- you run near water and through Old Dominion University's campus. They hand out tiny pies at one of the water stops, which is fantastic!

Parking isn't the best in downtown Norfolk -- but could be much worse. Many decks to choose from, but you do have to pay at all of them.

I didn't love the tshirt -- they changed the fit and they have odd off the shoulders going on for the women's fit tees.