Faculty, staff participate in Virginia Ten Miler

For the first time, Randolph College has an official faculty and staff team participating in the Genworth Virginia 10 Miler, an annual road race that draws more than 4,000 participants each year.

The 10 Miler is the largest race held in the area and includes both a 10-mile course, as well as a four-mile course, which ends on the Randolph College campus. Members of the College community, including student-athletes on the cross country teams, have run the race regularly in the past. However, this year the College is hosting its own team. More than 20 staff and faculty members have signed up.

Creating the team is part of the College’s effort to promote health and fitness among its employees. “Wellness is an ongoing effort for the College,” said Sharon Saunders, director of human resources. “We try to do various wellness activities during the year to promote healthy living, and this seemed like a great fit.”

The team includes some competitors who have run in the race before, as well as several people who are new to the experience.

“I have been a participant in the race for many years as an observer, and have always wanted to be in it,” said Cindy Lyons, executive assistant to the president. “This year I decided since we were having a team, it was the greatest impetus to say, ‘I’m doing it.’” Lyons will be joining the Four Mile Walk race along with several other Randolph colleagues.

Laura-Gray Street, an English professor, also thought about running the race for several years before joining the Randolph team, but the Family Weekend schedule usually kept her away. A change in the weekend itinerary, combined with the opportunity to run with other Randolph community members, prompted her to join in. She will compete in the four-mile run.

Street was also inspired by Harriet Peterson, the wife of retired Randolph English professor Jim Peterson. Harriet Peterson has regularly participated in the Virginia Four Miler and even placed first in her age division last year, but she is unable to run this year after facing brain cancer—she had a tumor removed this summer and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments. “She is a woman of amazing courage and spirit. I’m dedicating my run to her,” Street said.

The races begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at E.C. Glass High School. A band will be playing at Randolph to celebrate the four-mile racers, who should begin arriving on campus around 8:20 a.m. Those who wish to cheer for the racers at the four-mile finish line should be mindful of road closings, listed on the official race website.