In 2000 when the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k was first held, about 2,500 people signed up for the race. Who would have thought that in 2008 in just the ninth running of the race, that number would have increased by more than 1,000 percent to have 31,000 people register?

"We were originally selling it to Ukrop's and other sponsors based that it would be a mass road-running event," said Jon Lugbill, executive director of the Richmond Sports Backers. "…  I wasn't thinking 30,000. I was thinking 15,000 or 20,000. It's incredible."

In addition to the 10k growing in numbers, a children's run was added in 2003, the race is now a major fundraiser for the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and there's been a big impact on the community.

"What's amazing is all the other things, like the benefits to the community," Lugbill said. "It's way beyond what we ever planned."

Lugbill said the YMCA training teams having more than 3,000 people show that the community is excited about having a healthy lifestyle.

"The reach of the race is pretty far and wide," Lugbill said.

Andrea Butler, the communications director for the VCU Massey Cancer Center, said 10k participants have raised about $375,000 this year. By the time fundraising is over, she said, the center is expected to raise $500,000, which is twice as much as last year.

Butler said the 10k is the single-largest fundraising event the cancer center does. This fundraiser has been part of the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k since 2006.

Race registration fees do not benefit Massey. Instead, Massey develops the fundraising program in conjunction with the race.

This year there are 109 teams and more than 1,700 individuals raising money for the cancer center.

"It's amazing what comes back when you tell it from the heart," Butler said of fundraising efforts.

For more information about the fundraiser, go to masseychallenge.kintera.org.

Here's a look at what's happening this Saturday:

The Races

The First Market Kids Mile begins at 8 a.m. This event for 5- to 12-year-olds starts on Cathedral Place near Laurel Street, which is a change from last year. Kids 10 to 12 years old will wear a red bib and will start at 8 a.m.; ages 8 to 9 will wear a yellow bib and start at 8:05 a.m.; and kids 5 to 7 will wear a green bib and start at 8:10 a.m. The run ends at Franklin and Laurel streets, the same place the 10k finishes.

The Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k gets under way at 8:30 a.m. The race utilizes wave starts, which is depicted by the time runners predicted they'd finish. Based on the amount of people in this race, the "elite" runners will finish before some people even start. (Note: Street closures are located at the end of this story.)

The 10k Course

The race begins on Broad Street near Harrison Street and ends on Franklin Street near Monroe Park. For the runners, water will be positioned near miles 2, 3, 4 and 5 along the course and at the finish. Portable toilets will be stationed at the start, finish and each water stop.

Packet Pickup

Race packets can be picked up at U-Turn Sports Academy at 2101 Maywill St. from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 3 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 4. There is no packet pickup on race day. Participants are required to have a photo ID to pick up their race numbers. If you're picking up a packet for another participant, you must have a copy of their ID.

10k Records 

The fastest women's Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k was set last year by Magdalene Makunzi, who ran a time of 32:24. Makunzi also won in 2006.

The fastest men's time was set in 2004 by Reuben Chebii, who notched a time of 28:07.

This year's event is host to the USA 10k Men's Championships, so it's possible that records will be broken this year.

"In an Olympic year, this is a chance for our top distance runners to race on the roads in a quality event, before their focus turns to track racing," Glenn Latimer of USA Track and Field said in a news release earlier this year.

Street Closures

w Broad Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Lombardy Street from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is to turn right on Belvidere Street to northbound Interstate 95. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is turning left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street and right on Belvidere. Motorists are encouraged to use I-95 as an alternate.

w Laurel Street will be closed between Main and Grace streets from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

w Franklin Street will be closed between Lombardy and Belvidere streets from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.