Race History

In 1974, 188 runners finished the very first Virginia Ten Miler and began a tradition that has brought national recognition to Lynchburg in the world of road racing.   In the 1980s the Virginia Ten Miler was named one of the Top Ten Road Races in the country.    The challenging course has drawn scores of elite athletes from around the world and thousands of amateur athletes from around the country. In 2008, the Virginia Ten Miler continues to be the highlight of the Lynchburg running season as the finale to the Lynchburg Road Runner’s sponsored Summer Race Series. Below is a short synopsis of each race.  

Number of Finishers: 188

Men’s Overall Winner: Jon Vitale-49:13

Women’s Overall Winner: Gail Hafley-67:45

Weather: Partly cloudy, 75% humidity, high 80°, start 75°

 

The inaugural Virginia 10-Miler included 225 participants and were led by Jon Vitale who won in an impressive 49:10. The women’s winner was Gail Hafley in a strong 67:45.

 

Other notables in the field included running guru Jeff Galloway(51:01) and high school miling legend, Marty Liquori(54:36).

 

Number of Finishers: 426

Men’s Overall Winner: Bill Rodgers-48:17

Women’s Overall Winner: Deborah Snaggs-64:48

Weather: Mostly sunny, 75% humidity, high 83°, start 76°

 

The second running featured a bit of controversy as two of America’s best, Frank Shorter(1972 Marathon gold medal winner at the Munich Olympics) and Bill Rodgers, went toe to toe for much of the race. Shorter and Rodgers chose to hold hands crossing the finish line. As required by AAU rules at the time, the race judges awarded the win to Rodgers who crossed the finish line just ahead of Shorter. 19-year old Deborah Snaggs was the women’s winner in 64:48.

 

Number of Finishers: 753

Men’s Overall Winner: Bill Rodgers-47:48

Women’s Overall Winner: Deborah Snaggs-57:57

Weather: Sunny, 75% humidity, high 81°, start 75°

 

Rodgers and Shorter returned as team competition was introduced to the race for the first time. Also making their debut were the legendary Shea sisters who would begin a string of superlative performances.

 

Rodgers took the pace out hard in 23:37 through five miles and won in a course record 47:48. Shorter finished second over a minute later. 17 year old Julie Shea blitzed the women’s field in a jaw-dropping 57:57 and sister, Mary, came in second in 61:19.

 

In team competition, 9 colleges, nearly 20 club teams, and 3 military units battled it out in their respective divisions. The University of Kentucky, Washington Running Club, and Fort Monroe won their divisions.

Number of Finishers: 1428

Men’s Overall Winner: Bill Rodgers-48:13

Women’s Overall Winner: Kim Merritt-58:11

Weather: Cloudy then clearing, 85% humidity, high 83°, start 75°

 

The race field doubled from 1976 and included the best women’s field in race history with 150 female finishers. The youngest entrant, nine year old Anne Palermo of Rockville, MD ran the course in 94 minutes.

 

Todd Scully of Blacksburg speed walked the course in 77:10.

 

Number of Finishers: 1661

Men’s Overall Winner: Bill Rodger-48:33

Women’s Overall Winner: Julie Shea—57:01

Weather: Sunny, 87% humidity, high 88°, start 85°

 

The race started at 10:00AM and it was hot! Thirty-six year old, Frank McPhatter of Madison Heights, ran 59:55 and came in 35^th in his age group, 123rd overall.

 

Number of Finishers: 1946

Men’s Overall Winner: Herb Lindsay-47:02

Women’s Overall Winner: Grete Waitz-53:05(world record)

Weather: Overcast, 99% humidity, high 75°, start 70° 

Great Britain’s Brendan Foster runs first mile in 4:10. Five and 10K Olympic gold medalist Lasse Viren of Finland was 6^th overall with a time of 48:27. Grete Waitz set the woman’s world record for ten miles, with a time of 53:05.   Many of the world’s elite runners came to Lynchburg in 1979 and team competition heated up with teams from Great Britain, Finland and American teams including Frank Shorter’s Racing team and Greater Boston, captained by Bill Rodgers.   The British team won the five man competition.

 

 

Number of Finishers: 2287

Men’s Overall Winner: Rod Dixon-46:51

Women’s Overall Winner: Jacqueline Gareau-55:41

Weather: Mostly sunny, 54% humidity, high 65°, start 58°

 

Rod Dixon ran the ninth mile in 4:35. The course was certified this year and all winners are course records. Prior to certification, course was found to be approximately 100 meters short of ten miles. Dixon’s time of 46:50 still stands as the course record.  

 

The Ten Miler registration fee was $6.00. 

 

Number of Finishers: 2628

Men’s Overall Winner: Rod Dixon-46:50

Women’s Overall Winner: Anne Audain-53:54

Weather: 62% humidity, high 71°, start 56°

 

Eighteen year old of Lynchburg Grattan Garbee ran 54:57, his brother Randy ran 56:04. New sports network ESPN sent a cameraman who covered the race by running it with a helmet camera.

 

Number of Finishers: 2399

Men’s Overall Winner: Jon Sinclair-47:34

Women’s Overall Winner: Maureen Custy-56:19

Weather: 70% humidity, high 68°, start 60°

 

An estimated 10,000 spectators lined the course. 15 year old Lynchburger Eric Davis runs 55:17. Race registration fee was raised to $10.00.

 

Number of Finishers: 2470

Men’s Overall Winner: Rod Dixon-47:12

Women’s Overall Winner: Jacqueline Gareau-54:41

Weather: 50 degrees and low humidity

 

The top 15 runners run sub 50 minutes. 34 year old Walker Sydnor of Lynchburg runs 57:48. 24 year old Brett Boman leads the Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) team to first place in the team competition with a time of 57:00.

 

Number of Finishers: 2388

Men’s Overall Winner: Gabriel Kamau-46:59

Women’s Overall Winner: Anne Audain-53:47

Weather: mid-50s

 

Cathy Taylor is top local female finisher in 69:10. Gabrial Kamau becomes the first Kenyan to win the Ten Miler only nine seconds off the 1981 course record. Anne Audain broke her own course record by seven seconds.

 

Number of Finishers: 2225

Men’s Overall Winner: Rob DeCastella-46:52

Women’s Overall Winner: Anne Audain-54:05

Weather:

 

International runner DeCastella makes his first appearance in Lynchburg and nearly breaks Rod Dixon’s course record. Local runner 22-year old Laura Sweat runs 81:11.

 

Number of Finishers: 1969

Men’s Overall Winner: Rob DeCastella-47:49

Women’s Overall Winner: Anne Audain-55:02

Weather: high 87°, low 67°

 

DeCastella and Audain repeat as winners. Audain wins her fourth 10-miler. Appomattox native, 70-year old Louise Martin, runs 102:36. 

 

Number of finishers: 1799

Men’s Overall Winner: Jon Sinclair-47:19

Woman’s Overall Winner: Anne Audain-54:56

Weather: Low 60’s and low humidity

 

17 year old, Travis Walter won his age group in a time of 55:18. He would go on to attend Virginia Tech, where he would become All-American and compete in the U.S. Olympic trials. 29 year old, Richard Ferguson, returns to Lynchburg and won his age group with a time of 52:22. At the age of 39, Bill Rogers returns and comes in sixth overall with an impressive time of 50:10. 

 

Number of finishers: 1780

Men’s Overall Winner: Jon Sinclair-48:09

Woman’s Overall Winner: Anne Hannam-54:40

Weather: Windy and high humidity

 

Jon Sinclair became the third three time winner of the Virginia Ten Miler, beating Mark Curp by a mere three seconds. This is the second closest finish since the 1976 “tie” between Rodgers and Shorter.

Number of finishers: 1542

Men’s Overall Winner: John Halversen-47:53

Woman’s Overall Winner: Diane Brewer-55:52

Weather: 59 degrees and 85% humidity

 

For the first time in its history, drug testing was introduced in the Virginia Ten Miler.

The top three male and female finishers overall were drug tested.

 

Number of finishers: 1525

Men’s Overall Winner: John Halversen-47:40

Woman’s Overall Winner: Kellie Kathey-54:39

Weather: Rainy

 

The Virginia Ten Miler race was broadcast on ESPN in October. Twenty-six year old Pam Fauber of Lynchburg was fifth woman overall with a time of 62:41.

Number of finishers: 1263 

Men’s Overall Winner: Jon Sinclair-48:19

Woman’s Overall Winner: Anne Audain-55:28   

Weather: Dry and cool

 

Jon Sinclair joins the ranks of Bill Rodgers as a four time race winner.

 

22 year old Anne Riley, of Lynchburg, jumped rope during the flat sections of the race to prevent knee injury.

 

Number of finishers: 1080

Men’s Overall Winner: John Halversen-48:22

Woman’s Overall Winner: Julie Burtener-66:39

Weather: 65°

 

Local runner, Don Lucy, won the masters division in a time of 56:57. 24 year old medical student, Peter O’Brien, came in sixth overall with a time of 52:45. Dr. O’Brien is now a practicing cardiologist in Lynchburg. Nancy Ferris of Forest came in sixth overall in a time of 69:00.         

 

Number of finishers: 1026

Men’s Overall Winner: Jon Sinclair-50:14

Woman’s Overall Winner: Libby Johnson-60:17

Weather: Humid, high 84°, start 66°

 

Jon Sinclair becomes the first and only five time winner of the race.

 

The following five men completed their twenty consecutive Virginia Ten Miler: Frank McPhatter-76:32, Gordon Davies-73:41, Jim Montgomery-103:17, Bill Draper-92:28, Bill Fastabend-91:35. 

 

Number of finishers: 878

Men’s Overall Winner: Matt Richards-54:25

Woman’s Overall Winner: Leslie Minnix-Wolfe-62:09

Weather: Mid to upper 70’s and humid

 

Two Lynchburg College All American runners, Matt Richards and John Cardwell, came in first and second respectively. Local elementary school gym teacher, Diane Jones ran a time of 97:48.

Number of finishers: 830

Men’s Overall Winner: Martin Mondragon-50:49

Woman’s Overall Winner: Elizabeth Andrews-63:28

Weather:

 

At forty-one, Martin Mondragon was the reigning Master’s champion in 1995. Also outstanding as Master’s runners, Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers crossed the finish line hand in hand once again. This time Shorter was credited with the faster time of 59:25. 

 

Number of finishers: 939

Men’s Overall Winner: Mark Coogan-50:55

Woman’s Overall Winner: Gwen Coogan-60:41

Weather: Misting, 97% humidity, high 69°, start 65°

 

Husband and wife duo swept the overall titles. Mark Coogan of Bolder, CO, said “This may be the hardest course I’ve ever run a road race on.” Second overall female finisher was Sabrina Willis with a time of 65:26. Sabrina, died tragically while training in October 2002. She was a JMU standout in track and cross country in the early 1990s.

 

Number of finishers: 858

Men’s Overall Winner: Peter Githuka-48:54

Woman’s Overall Winner: Vanlentina Egorova-58:16

Weather: Clear, 72% humidity, high 65°, start 60°

 

Peter Githuka’s brother, Steven, a Liberty University student, came in third with a time of 50:58. At age 60, Bernie Davis won his age group with a time of 71:11. 

 

Number of finishers: 1045

Men’s Overall Winner: Daniel Kihara-49:47

Woman’s Overall Winner: Joan Nesbit-58:06

Weather: Hazy, 84% humidity, high 78°, start 69°

 

Bill Draper ran his 25^th Ten Miler with a groin injury that required him to run the final mile backwards, while applying pressure to minimize the pain. 31 volunteers were recognized for twenty or more years of service with the Ten Miler.

Number of finishers: 888

Men’s Overall Winner: Peter Githuka-47:11

Woman’s Overall Winner: Margaret Kagiri-57:41

Weather: Clear, 84% humidity, high 73°, start 58°

 

1964 Olympic gold medalist in the 10, 000 meter, Billy Mills, spoke at a clinic the night before the race. For the first time, a four mile race was introduced. The Four Miler was won by Liberty cross country runner, John Khan, with a time of 20:20.

Number of finishers: 872

Men’s Overall Winner: Peter Githuka-47:32

Woman’s Overall Winner: Catherine Ndereba-55:02

Weather: Overcast and misting, 100% humidity, high 75°, start 60°

 

28 year old, Catherine Nderba’s win was her eighth road race win in the 2000 season, including the Boston Marathon. Former Liberty University stand out, Josh Cox finished fifth in 49:52 and was the first American finisher. 

 

Number of finishers: 904

Men’s Overall Winner: Patrick Nthiwa-49:36

Woman’s Overall Winner: Tara Pointin-60:09

Weather: Cloudy, 69% humidity, high 66°, start 52°

 

Local runner Catherine Phillips was the second female finisher overall with a time of 64:14. Donna Elder of Forest won her age group with a time of 69:30. 

Number of finishers: 700

Men’s Overall Winner: Ronald Mogaka-48:40

Woman’s Overall Winner: Tara Pointin-58:58

Weather: Clear, 68% humidity, high 73°, start 68°

 

Fourteen year old Drew Flowers finished 33^rd overall with a time of 66:34. 86 year old Louise Martin completed the Ten Miler in 2:48.   She claims to be more tired after a race since turning 80!  

 

Number of finishers: 602   

Men’s Overall Winner: Michael Mislay 48:43

Woman’s Overall Winner: Naomi Wangui 57:46              

Weather: Clear, 87% humidity, high 83°, start 64°

 

Michael Mislay finished easily 1:25 ahead of the rest of the field. The ‘Fabulous Five’ (Gordon Davies, Bill Draper, Bill Fastabend, Frank McPhatter and Jim Montgomery) competed their 30^th Ten Miler in great running style. Ron Roseveare pushed Sonny Miller in his wheelchair for the 2^nd year finishing in an amazing 79:19 on this hilly course. 

 

Number of finishers: 545   

Men’s Overall Winner: Henry Githuka 51:21

Woman’s Overall Winner: Tara Pointin Wojciechowski 59:04              

Weather: Clear, 63% humidity, high 68°, start 62°

 

For the first time since 1979, the Ten Miler began on the heels of a hurricane. The remnants of Hurricane Ivan ripped through Central VA Friday and early Saturday morning but actually left a great day for racing. The field was light due to weather. The Fabulous Five was reduced to three due to injury for Frank McPhatter and out of country travel for Gordon Davies. 

 

Number of finishers: 504   

Men’s Overall Winner: Pete O’Brien 57:51

Woman’s Overall Winner: Tara Pointin Wojciechowski             59:30  

Weather: Mostly cloudy, 81% humidity, high 70°, start 68°

 

This year’s race started as Hurricane Rita began her journey through Central Virginia, providing some much needed cloud cover.   Local men swept overall top three with Pete O’Brien, a local cardioliogist taking 1^st, followed by Michael McPhatter in 2^nd in 58:55 and Brian Kelleher in 3^rd at 59:23.

Tara Pointin Wojciechowski won her 4^th Va Ten Miler and was 4^th overall.   Local runner Catherine Phillips was the second woman in 66: 37.

 

 

Number of finishers: 524

Men’s Overall Winner: Aaron Saft 56:54

Woman’s Overall Winner: Katie Stuckey 69:08 

Weather: Sunny, warm

 

Former NC State cross country runner Aaron Saft won his first Ten Miler.   Brian Kelleher of Lynchburg placed 3^rd for the 2 nd year in a row behind Brent Carson of Richmond.  

 

Katie Stuckey of Indianapolis won the women’s division in 69:08 in her first 10 miler. A recent Butler University graduate, she came to Lynchburg to run and visit family.