Record Participation Marks Successful Weekend for Area Runners

Runners from the Colonial Road Runners (CRR) made a significant impact at two major events over the weekend of October 11-12, 2025. The fifth annual Chickahominy River Bridge Run featured a record 134 finishers, a notable increase from last year’s 91 participants. Meanwhile, the Chicago Marathon set a new milestone with 54,351 finishers from 120 countries, showcasing the global enthusiasm for long-distance running.

The Chickahominy River Bridge Run, which included both 10K and 5K races, started and finished at the scenic Chickahominy Riverfront Park. This event, part of the CRR Grand Prix series, benefitted the Grove Christian Outreach Center. The mostly flat course was only interrupted by the challenging Chickahominy River bridge hill, which has an elevation of 52 feet.

Brody Alford, a 15-year-old from Oxford, Mississippi, claimed victory in the men’s 10K with an impressive time of 38:19. He was closely followed by CRR stars Dana Hayden and Emily Honeycutt, who finished in 38:36 and 38:38, respectively. Hayden, who recently broke the state 10K record for women aged 45-49, came within 11 seconds of her own record, demonstrating her exceptional form.

In the men’s category, Alexey Popov finished second with a time of 41:57, followed by CRR vice president Dave Anderson at 43:19. The women’s podium was completed by Tricia Murphy and Joanna McCandlish, who finished in 45:33 and 50:13, respectively. Both Hayden and Honeycutt surpassed the previous women’s course record of 39:10, set by Honeycutt herself in 2024.

The event’s increased turnout was partly attributed to the participation of Tabb Elementary School students and their families. Among the 5K finishers, Rayshad Johnson won in a time of 21:50, while Rebecca Thayer topped the women’s field with a time of 28:10.

In Chicago, runners faced a flat and fast course during the 47th annual marathon, where CRR’s Adam Otstot led the contingent with a time of 2:30:55, finishing 13th in the 40-44 age group. Otstot expressed his frustration at missing his personal best time but remained proud of his performance.

Emma Rogers also had a remarkable race, finishing with a time of 2:44:48, achieving a negative split for the second half of the marathon. This placed her 21st in her age group and 60th among women overall. Rogers noted the significant difference in her experience compared to her first marathon in New York City, emphasizing the advantages of the flatter Chicago course.

Other CRR finishers included Rob Perkinson at 2:35:43, John Dyar at 2:50:38, Christopher Minty at 2:56:13, Aimee Gianoukos at 3:25:21, Deelyn Robinson at 3:28:55, and Jason Kirkpatrick at 3:48:47. Each participant showcased their dedication and passion for the sport, contributing to a weekend of remarkable athletic achievement.

The weekend’s events not only highlighted individual accomplishments but also fostered a sense of community among local and visiting runners. Participants like Alford and Hayden shared their experiences, expressing gratitude for the supportive running community in the area. With increased participation and numerous personal records achieved, the Chickahominy River Bridge Run and the Chicago Marathon exemplified the growing popularity of distance running across various age groups and backgrounds.