Here at Sports Backers, we have a lot to give thanks for this year.

We can't believe how fortunate we are to live and work in a city that's teeming with outdoor adventures. And can anything beat RVA in the fall? Seriously, if you haven't been outside lately, run and enjoy it before the winter comes speeding in.

We're grateful that our local government officials are so on board with our active community that they not only work tirelessly to support our events, but also bid on major events that will mean so much to RVA (2015 World Cycling Champs, anyone?).

We appreciate the over 4,500 volunteers who keep our events running year after year.  And we're fortunate to have event committee members who are so devoted to our cause that they literally take vacation time to help us with our events.

To our coaches who lead over 6,600 people to more active lifestyles through  our training teams (as well the SAG crews that support them);

To our partners, sponsors and donors, who not only stand behind our work, but take on our passions as their own;

To our board of directors, whose members are as much a part of our mission as we are ourselves;

Thank You. 

To our participants, supporters and members of the active community: thank you for embracing us.  We’re so excited you’ve joined the charge to make Richmond the most active region in the country.

And for me, personally?  I'm most thankful for the incredible group of people I get to work with day in and day out.  I'm so blessed to be part of an organization whose mission is devoted to the betterment of its community and to work with a team of individuals whose passion for that mission is not only evident in their work, but in the way they live their lives as well.  That's rare to find, and I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of this team.

Happy Thanksgiving, readers! May your blessings be too numerous to count.

Leah