Thousands of runners participate in annual Virginia 10 miler race

Runners worldwide joined local Virginians and fellow Americans to participate in the annual Virginia 10 Miler race. The event on Sept. 28 represented five different countries, 44 states and the largest registration numbers to date with contestants spread across the 10 Miler, the 4+ Miler and the 4+ Miler Walk.

“When the race was founded, many people ran to be competitive. Their time mattered a lot to them, and now … we have people who run for health and wellness. They run to support another person. … They run because of the community pride that running brings. … It’s more now than a competitive race, but we still have that heritage,” Race Director Jeff Fedorko said.

The Virginia 10 Miler was founded in 1974 and is currently owned and operated underneath the Lynchburg Road Runners Club (LRRC), a local subset of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).

According to its website, “The RRCA champions the development and success of community-based running organizations that empower all people to participate in the sport of running in pursuit of enjoyment, health, well-being and competition.”

 “(I’ve run) it about 25-50 times,” Grattan Garbee, a board member for LRRC, said. “I didn’t get real involved with the Lynchburg Road Runners until I became an empty nester. … Probably 15 years I’ve been very involved with (the Virginia 10 Miler).”

The LRRC also hosts the Amazing Mile Children’s Run, a mile-long race held exclusively for children ages 13 and under. Throughout the race, families can take part in the Downtown Family Festival held at Amazement Square. The Amazing Mile occurs the day before the Virginia 10 Miler; however, this year it was canceled due to weather concerns.

As it has expanded over the years, the Virginia 10 Miler has seen several businesses and organizations support the race. Liberty University plays a major role in supporting the Virginia 10 Miler, but not through financial means. Instead, Liberty assists employees and staff interested in participating in the races.

“Liberty University is a huge supporter of the event,” Fedorko said, “… It’s our largest team. And I think it says a lot about Liberty … that health and wellness is important.”

One member of Liberty’s team, Jordan Kreitzinger, 31, finished the race for the first time Saturday.

“I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it,” Kreitzinger said. “… I think it’s really cool to have this kind of race in Lynchburg. … To have a race where people from all over the country … and all over the world come, just to run through Lynchburg — it’s really cool to have … that pride.”

In addition to being a place of community for new and experienced runners, the Virginia 10 Miler is also part of the RRCA Championship Event Series that awards both the overall male and female finisher. The final winner of the race was Josephat Too, 27, from Grand Prairie, Texas who finished at 48 minutes and 47.26 seconds. The female champion was Sarah Naibei, 25, from Grand Prairie, Texas, who finished at 54:59.94.

The Virginia 10 Miler has been part of the Lynchburg community for 51 years. Because the race officials do not count the year spent in lockdown due to COVID-19, those working the event and those attending it celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday.

“The most exciting place for me to be during the event is at the finish line and the start,” Fedorko said, “But definitely the finish of the race … (because) that’s where you see the tears and the cheering and people being so proud of themselves. … Each one of those people finishing has a story.”

For more information on the 2025 Virginia 10 Miler, visit www.virginia10miler.com.   

Mckinnon is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion.