On the Move

At Sports Backers we normally do at least one staff outing a year, a traditional started by Jon Lugbill. Last week we went on Jon's last staff excursion and thought it would be a great time to document and ask everyone what their favorite one has been throughout the years.

Nan & Kam sit down with Jon Lugbill before his last day at Sports Backers. They get all the inside info on his proudest moments, favorite events, and what he's most looking forward to about retired life.

Nan & Kam are out of the studio! Last week was the Markel Corporate Run, and we're giving you the behind the scenes look at all the fun that went down. You're definitely going to want to watch this one on YouTube!

Brian McDaniel and Nicole Zawitkowski have made the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team their friendship tradition. Hear why they love the team, what keeps them coming back, and why they might prefer the training to race day!

RVA Bike Month wraps up in a few weeks, so Nan & Kam sat down with Natalie Rainer, Bike Walk RVA's Engagement Manager, to talk about all of this year's events and how you can still get involved. Visit rvabikemonth.com for all the details on upcoming events!

It's a Nan & Kam yap sesh as they recap Dominion Energy Riverrock weekend. Hear what went on behind the scenes, and all of Kam's brilliant ideas for 2026!

All dogs get zoomies...let your dog get their energy out Dominion Energy Riverrock's Agility Competition! Nan & Kam talked to Shemeck Piatek, owner of the Zoom Room, a dog training and agility facility. Shemeck will be running the competition and shares how your dog can do a trial run through Dominion Energy Riverrock's Adventure Zones. Watch this one on YouTube so you can see some c...

Richmond is fortunate to be home to the Virginia Capital Trail—a fully paved, 51.7-mile multi-use path that stretches across four jurisdictions. Nan & Kam sit down with Cat Anthony, Executive Director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, to discuss how individuals can make the most of this scenic trail and learn about exciting upcoming events.  

In 2018 marathoner Kirk Millikan decided he wanted to take on a new challenge. He wanted to run every street in Richmond...that's 2,200 streets. Fast forward to now and Kirk finds himself embarking on the end of his challenge. Nan & Kam talk with him about the plans for his final run, and what he's learned along the way. 

If you were at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger you might've seen Sophie King whizzing by the competition. The Richmond native completed the 10k in 33:36.34 and was the first female finisher. Nan, Kam & Sophie chat all about her win, her transition from swimmer to runner, and growing up as a quadruplet. 

This April marked Jon Lugbill's last Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k at the helm of Sports Backers. To celebrate he got to run the event he created in 2000...so really it was his first 10k as a participant! Jeff Kelley, of Kelley & Co., was at the start and finish lines to interview him as he celebrated 26 years of the event.

VCU Athletics participated in the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k and the Massey Challenge with Team Ram Nation. Nan & Kam talk with Robby Robinson, the voice of the Rams, about his 10k experience (spoiler - he killed it), and why running has been a constant in his life. 

You might know Richmonder Keya Wingfield, from the Food Network, Candy Valley Cake Company, and most recently Keya's Snacks. But what you might not know about Keya is that physical activity, and walking the 10k have been huge in her weight loss journey. Check out her motivations, how her businesses started, and why you're going to want to see her on the course!

This fall, Sports Backers announced that Jon Lugbill, our Executive Director of the last 32 years, was planning to retire. After a nation-wide search, we now know who will be taking over in June and it's none other than Sports Backers' own Will Dixon! Nan & Kam sat down with Will to talk about what it feels like to be the new Executive Director, and what he's excited about for t...

Nan & Kam reveal their new podcast room and chat with Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k Race Director, Meghan Keogh. Meghan has led the charge on the 10k for the last 10 years, so she's basically an expert! Hear some of her favorite race day memories and what you can look forward to this year.

Sports Backers officially made our move to Lakeside Avenue this week and we're now located at our active living hub! Nan & Kam give you a tour of the space, and show off some of the features they're most excited about. We recommend watching this one!

Richmond's biggest block party was once just an idea of Jon Lugbill! Sports Backers' Executive Director played a huge role in the creation of the popular event, and has been at every 10k since. This year will be Jon's final 10k at the helm, so Nan & Kam sat down to chat with him about the evolution of the event and what he's looking forward to.

It's almost event week here at Sports Backers, so Nan & Kam talked with Virginia Credit Union River City Half & 5k Race Director, Molly Johnson. Molly fills us in on everything participants can expect from the event, her favorite course highlights, and her preferred taste in bagels!

This week Nan & Kam sit down with 11-year-old River Hale and talk about his training journey with the YMCA 10k Training Team. River's mom, Alison, works at Sports Backers and is training with him. River tells us about his hardest training run, race day goals, and his thoughts on popular sitcoms.

If you're a Richmonder, you love Ukrop's. It's just an unspoken rule! As the title sponsor of the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger for all 26 years of the event, they're iconic! Nan & Kam talked with Daniel Riddick, Director of Marketing for Ukrop's Homestyle Foods, about the long-standing partnership...and obviously about White House Rolls, Rainbow...

It's a Nan & Kam catch up week! We're discussing Saturday's 10k Training Team, 10k Love Week, and the first ever Palentine's Day! Mark your calendars because we've got all the giveaways coming your way on social!

This Saturday marks the first day of YMCA 10k Training Team. This 10-week program gets runners and walkers ready for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger on April 12. Nan & Kam talk to Nate Moubray, Head Coach at the Northside YMCA, about what he's most excited about for training season and what participants can expect if they join a team!

We were lucky enough to recently welcome two new staff members to the Sports Backers crew. Nan & Kam sit down with Drew Thornton, the Events Operations Assistant, and Natalie Rainer, the Engagement Manager for Bike Walk RVA to talk about their first weeks at SB. Hear about Drew's former life in Nebraska and Natalie's former life as a snake owner!

The second-annual Virginia Credit Union Half & 5k is coming up on March 8. Nan & Kam sit down with local runners, Sports Backers Ambassadors, and all around superwomen, Rachel Capone and Candace Broaddus. Hear about their race day experience last year. Find out why they think it's RVA's most picturesque course, and why Candace ran with a GoPro on her head.

Happy New Year! Nan & Kam kick off 2025 with Ginnina Eakle, Association Director of Wellness at the Greater Richmond YMCA. Ginnina shares secrets for making sure your fitness-related resolutions aren't too lofty, and how to set yourself up for success. Plus the YMCA 10k Training Team starts in just a few weeks!