Did this morning's record setting Monument Avenue 10k inspire you to perspire on more road races in Richmond? This year we have a number of challenging races in our area neighborhoods that will help you train for the ultimate Richmond running event: The Richmond Marathon!

Mark Your Calendars:

• 'Make It Happen' 5K Run at Byrd Park - Benefitting the Nicole Megaloudis Foundation - Sunday April 11 @ 1:00 PM - Download A Brochure
  
• Reveille 5K in Windsor Farms - Benefitting Swansboro Elementary School - Saturday April 17 @ 9 AM - Download A Brochure
• Carytown 10K in Carytown - Benefitting the Harvey Family Memorial Endowment - Sunday May 16 @ 8 AM - Visit The Website
• Beat The Heat 5K in Shockoe Bottom - Benefitting the Richmond Firefighters Scholarship Fund - Saturday June 19 @ 8:30 AM - Visit The Website
• US Army X-Country 5K at Maymont - Friday September 24 @ 6 PM - Visit The Website
• Capitol 10 Miler - Sunday October 3 @ 7 AM - Starts at the Capitol and travels through Richmond's streets (including the Boulevard & Nickel Bridge!). - Visit The Website  
• Suntrust Richmond Marathon, Half Marathon & 8K - Saturday November 13 - Visit The Website

Do you enjoy going for peaceful Saturday morning rides in the Fan or Museum District? Well change of plans for you this Saturday as the Monument Avenue 10k will close the entire length of Monument Ave from Franklin St @ Monroe Park to Staples Mill Rd. In addition a number of cross streets will be closed as well:

• Broad Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Lombardy Street from 4 AM to Noon. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is right on Belvidere Street to 95 North. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street, right on Belvidere. Motorists are encouraged to use I-95 as an alternate.
• Laurel Street will be closed between Main and Grace Street from 4 AM to 3 PM.
• Franklin Street will be closed between Shafer Street and Belvidere Street from 4 AM to 2:30 PM.
• Cathedral Place will close from Laurel to Shafer Court from 4 AM to 3 PM.
• Park Avenue will close from Shafer Court to Lombardy Street/Stuart Circle from 6 AM to 9 AM.
• Lombardy Street will be closed between Broad Street and Franklin Street (Stuart Circle) from 7 AM to 2:30 PM.
• Franklin Street will be closed between Lombardy Street and Shafer Street from 7 AM to 2:30 PM.
• Grace Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Allen Avenue from 7 AM to 11 AM.
• Monument Avenue / Franklin Street will be closed between Staples Mill Road and Stuart Circle (Lombardy Street) from 7 AM to 2:30 PM. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is left on Staples Mill Road, right on Broad Street, left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street, right on Belvidere Street. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is right on Belvidere Street, left on Leigh Street, left on Allen Avenue, right on Broad Street.

• The Boulevard will be closed at Monument Avenue from 8:30 AM to 1 PM. The recommended detour for northbound traffic is left on Park Avenue, right on Thompson Street to 195. The recommended detour for southbound traffic is right on Grace Street, right on Thompson Street, left on Broad Street, left on Hamilton Street to 195.
• There will also be numerous street closings for all north and south streets intersecting Monument Avenue / Franklin Street between Staples Mill Road and Belvidere Street.

In advance of the Monument Avenue 10k the Department of Public Works is engaging in an all out three-day blitz to spruce up the grand street. From 7 AM - 7 PM on Thursday & Friday city workers will patch potholes, vacuum leaves, and sweep the road surface from Monroe Park all the way to Chantilly Street.

The maintenance strike force will roll out once more on Saturday morning at 3 AM to make any final repairs, just hours before the race commences.

DPW reminds motorists to read No Parking signs carefully so that vehicles are not impeding crews during the cleanup.

Are you training for the Monument Avenue 10k? This Saturday you can warm up for the big event with a run in the Richmond SPCA 5k Run and Dog Jog on Hermitage Road.

According to the Richmond SPCA the 8th annual fundraiser features two race events:

1) A timed 5k competitive race for runners, joggers and walkers.

2) A fun and stroller/pet friendly 1 mile dog jog.

In addition to the race events the SPCA is hosting a vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Robins-Starr Humane Center at 2519 Hermitage Rd.

Saturday Race Schedule:
8:15 to 9:15 a.m. - 5K Run on-site registration ($40)
9 a.m. - Holiday Barn Pet Resorts Vendor Fair Opens
9:30 a.m. - 5K Run begins
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Dog Jog on-site registration, sponsored by the HelpDesk Company ($40)
11 a.m. - 1-mile Dog Jog begins, kicked off with help from Julie Bragg and Greg McQuade of CBS 6.

Online registration ends at 5 p.m. on March 17, On site registration is available on Saturday morning.

Learn more about the Richmond SPCA's Dog Jog and 5K Run event and how you can help the organization achieve their fundraising goal!

According to Richmond Sports Backers one of the greatest road races in the nation is nearing capacity with more than 35,000 runners already registered and registration will end much earlier than expected. Registration for the Monument Ave 10k race on March 27th costs $35 and includes a collectable Ukrops sponsored t-shirt commemorating the race.

Interested in participating in this year's race? You can register online at Sports Backers website.