‘Crowd kept me going’: Thousands run the VCU Health Richmond Marathon

Published: Nov. 13, 2021 at 6:19 PM EST|Updated: Nov. 13, 2021 at 7:41 PM EST
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RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - On Saturday, thousands of people participated in the 44th annual VCU Health Richmond Marathon as many others stood near the finish line to cheer them on.

Ryan Mills of Raleigh, North Carolina won the marathon, finishing 26.2 miles in 2 hours and 25 minutes. Mills says this is his first time running the Richmond marathon, and that the great atmosphere is what kept him going.

“Last 10k was the hardest, (the) crowd kept me going - amazing race, amazing fans. Just having everyone out there to finish strong,” Mills said.

Mills says he would not have been able to perform as well as he did without the support of his wife - who is at home with their 17-month-old twins.

Caroline Hentzen of Charlottesville was the first woman to cross the finish line. She finished with a time of 2 hours 42 minutes and 23 seconds.

Hentzen says this was the first race she ran since the Richmond marathon back in 2019. She adds it was amazing to be back - especially with the nice weather.

“Training in the summer... usually you feel good and you get a good morning like today and you just go flying,” Hentzen said.

Hentzen finished 31st overall and broke her own personal record of a seven-minute pace.

Here are some of the other winners:

2021 Carmax Richmond HM:

  • Michael Babinec from Durham, North Carolina finished with a time of 1 hour 06 minutes and 56 seconds
  • AnneMarie Tuxbury from Barkhamsted, Connecticut finished with a time of 1 hour 14 minutes and 06 seconds

2021 Allianz Partners 8k:

  • Jason Weitzel from Greenville, South Carolina finished with a time of 23 minutes and 06 seconds
  • Kiera D’Amato from Midlothian, Virginia finished with a time of 24 minutes and 47 seconds

To check out more of the results, click here.

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