RVA Runner Finds Special Motivation for 15th 10k
Jameson Eddy, one of 53 people who have run every Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k, has found extra-special motivation for his 15th run.
By: McKenzie Vergara
Jameson Eddy is a proud participant in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, and has been for many years. In fact, he is one of 53 people that can say he has participated in every single Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k race since its start in 2000. Now, at the age of 41, he is the most motivated he has ever been and can’t wait to see what his time will be when crossing the finish line.
“The 15th annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k will be my 15th!” said Eddy, excited to hit the pavement on Monument again on March 29. “And yes, I am one of the proud owners of the black ‘100K’ t-shirts that were given out to those who had run all 10 of the 10ks in 2009.”
Because of his dedication to the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, Eddy seems like he has been a runner all his life, but the reality is he was never a huge fan of running, and only began once his college athletics career had ended.
“I thought that running was just a way to get in to shape to play ‘real sports’,” Eddy said.
As a student-athlete at Randolph-Macon College, Eddy had football and offseason training to keep in shape. Once he graduated and no longer had football as his daily physical activity, Eddy was eager to get into a new exercise routine.
“I started to pack on some pounds because of course I was still eating like I was a college student,” Eddy explained. “So I started to run.”
Once the first Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k came around, Eddy decided to sign up. The 10k distance, 6.2 miles, was the furthest he had ever run, but with training and commitment he knew he was capable of finishing the race. After completing his first 10k, Eddy began using the next event as motivation and quickly settled into a routine of running regularly.
“I knew I had to run more often and farther to be ready to do 6.2 miles!” said Eddy.
Over the years the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k has grown tremendously and Eddy has witnessed its transformation first hand. Not only did the race continue to grow in size and excitement, but Eddy’s finish time improved as well.
“My first race I was 27 and I finished in 52:14,” said Eddy.
Ten years later, at the age of 37, Eddy completed the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k in 50:52.
This year’s 10k holds a very special place in Eddy’s heart. He is running the race in honor of his cousin, Michael E. Surprenant.
“Michael passed away very suddenly on June 9, 2013. He was in the best shape of his life at the time and his family was shocked,” Eddy said. “He lost so much weight and was so happy and confident.”
Less than a week after the sudden death of his cousin, Eddy decided he was going to train harder and run his best race ever in his memory.
“I have run so much harder and more regularly since that day. I am going to run my best race ever,” said Eddy.
Eddy took a look back at his past Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k race times from 2000-2013 and now has a more specific goal in mind.
“I found that my best ever was 50:06 back in 2001 at age 28,” Eddy said. “I am going to beat that time!”
Walk up registration for the March 29 Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k and Virginia 529 Kids Run is available at the Anthem Health and Fitness Expo on Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28 from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. The 2014 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k will accept the first 40,000 entries.