Kathy Hoverman Selected as AT&T Dash for the Cash Participant
RICHMOND, VA – Kathy Hoverman, a North Chesterfield resident, has been selected for an opportunity to win $2,500 on Saturday, April 1, as the AT&T Dash for the Cash participant at the 2017 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger.
Hoverman was chosen at random from over 16,000 people who were registered for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k as of the February 1 contest deadline. Based on the predicted time she listed on her race entry form and her past performance in the event, she will be given a head start on the course and will attempt to cross the finish line before any of the other athletes running in the full 10k (6.2 miles). If she does outrun the rest of the field to the finish line, she will win the $2,500 cash prize. If another runner finishes first, the $2,500 will be donated to the VCU Massey Cancer Center, an official event charity.
“We’re excited to be part of the Dash for the Cash at the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k for the eighth year,” said Betsy Francis, AT&T Mid-Atlantic vice-president and general manager. “We know how important it is for our customers to stay connected to their passions especially when it’s for a good cause, and we’ll be cheering on Kathy Hoverman in this year’s race.”
Hoverman is no stranger to the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, having participated in 2015 and 2016, but was still surprised to get the call to participate in the Dash for the Cash. “I was a little hesitant at first because I was not that familiar with the Dash,” Hoverman said. “I was skeptical if the call was even real.” However, the former goalkeeper, who played college soccer at Wisconsin-Milwaukee before a brief professional career, quickly came to terms with the challenge of taking on the course ahead of the elite runners. “I’ve been running whenever I can, getting in as many miles as I can,” Hoverman explained of her mindset. “I know I can do it, it’s just a matter of pushing through when it gets difficult.”
In addition to the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, Hoverman has done a number of trail running, cycling, and adventure races and enjoys the local flavor and energetic atmosphere of events like the 10k. “The local events are always fun, and they tend to fit in well with my family’s schedule,” Hoverman said. “The crowds for the 10k are great—it’s entertaining with the bands and people cheering, and the final stretch is always a lot of fun!”
For Hoverman, who is married with two young children, one of the biggest challenges will be finding the time to train—but she’s already receiving plenty of encouragement. “I’ve researched some training plans and found a couple that I’d like to follow,” Hoverman said. “My friends and family have been very supportive since they found out. I haven’t been actively recruiting people to come out and cheer for me on race day, but I’ll probably get there eventually.”
As an athlete who still stays active whenever she has a chance, Hoverman knows her competitive instincts will kick in on race day, if not sooner. And even if there are challenges along the way, her mental approach to her preparations for the Dash won’t change. “I’m going to dig in and do this. I’m going to do the best I can and hope that’s good enough. If not, that’s okay, the prize money still goes to a great cause,” Hoverman said of her mentality about participating in the Dash for the Cash. “I’m still going to give it my best shot.”
Registration is still open for the 2017 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger, to be held on April 1, with a price increase scheduled for March 1. Registration is also available for the Virginia529 Kids Run. More information is available at www.sportsbackers.org.
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