Sports Backers

Sports Backers, is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire all corners of our community to live actively. The organization created Movement Makers, a national active living conference, to bring together leaders working to make their communities more active. National level speakers like Dominique Dawes and Richard Louv have led the attendees in exploring ways to improve physical activity efforts in regions across the country. Since 1991, the economic benefit to the Richmond region has been tremendous, but equally important has been the transformational impact the organization has had on its friends, neighbors and communities, as they have reaped the rewards of becoming more physically active. To build on the momentum of motivating individuals to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle, the Sports Backers launched Active RVA, a region-wide initiative to motivate area residents, businesses and local governments to make physical activity a personal and regional priority. Richmond is already considered the “Best River Town Ever,” according to Outside Magazine, in no small part due to the success of the Sports Backers. The Sports Backers are the 18th most active region in the country according to the American College of Sports Medicine. The Sports Backers own and produce 15 annual events that include some of the largest and most successful of their kind in the country. They include: Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K Anthem Richmond Marathon Dominion Riverrock Anthem Corporate Run Anthem Moonlight Ride Cougar 7v7 Field Hockey Tournament Patrick Henry Half Marathon Trails and Ales International Dragon Boat Festival Whole Foods Marathon Jr. CarMax Tacky Light Run Uncorked Half Marathon