Angels Race
VIRGINIA
The very first Angels Race was held in Lynchburg, VA in 2003. About 80 participants showed up that day. Each one had a name written in bold Sharpie on their arm, declaring the “angel” they were dedicating their race to. Since that first year, the event grew, with more participants and more angels. Take a walk down memory lane with us and see how healing loves company!
Reminisce as you scroll along, or jump to the year you’re interested in:
The USAT Sanctioned Angels Race Virginia was a rigorous course, balancing a design that was highly competitive while still being accessible to novices and first time athletes.
It started at the downtown YMCA in Lynchburg with a 300m swim. It was followed by a 25k bike course that traced through the downtown area, crossing the James River into Amherst County before looping back. The hill back to the YMCA has become notorious!
Finally, the 5k run led athletes down Main Street, past Amazement Square onto the scenic Blackwater Creek Trail. Once they’d run out and back, the participants crossed the finish line at the Community Market on Main Street. Regardless of the order an athlete crossed the line, she was cheered by hundreds of volunteers and enthusiastic spectators.
Through every lap in the pool, every hammer of the pedals, and every pace in their run, Angels Race VA athletes were challenged to hold their chosen angel close to heart.
After a great deal of thought, prayer, and soul searching, the family organizers of the annual Angels Race decided that 2015 would be the last year, ending things on a high note. Thirteen years beforehand, they had no idea that the event would grow to such proportions. The Groover, x, and Gunter families are overwhelmed with gratitude for all the blessings brought and countless people who have participated in this amazing experience.
Bittersweet blessings mark the last Angels Race in Virginia
April 26, 2015
Overall Winner Parker Spencer
Female Winner Renee Kunnen
Last Angels Race Triathlon In Downtown Lynchburg
ABC 13 News
A ‘Bittersweet’ End To Lynchburg’s Angels Race
Lynchburg News & Advance
Final Angels Race Triathlon To Be Held Sunday
Lynchburg News & Advance
Mari White’s Interview With Tim Groover
WTQO
Morning Live Radio
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Catherine Albrecht Hanson
I wish I could share what your race did for me when I first ventured into triathlon after a career in running and a stint with cancer. Such a supportive group & staff! I will be there for sure. Thanks for having this race. I will NOT miss that hill though!
James Madison University Triathlon Club
The Angels experience is so much more than a triathlon race. Through your inspirational message and spirit on race day, you have helped so many of us fall in love with the sport, understanding that we were racing for a cause bigger than ourselves.
Discover how you can honor the “angel” in your life and help make a difference in your local community today.
Many thanks for another race in the midst of angels
April 27, 2014
Another year, another TRI! Thanks to all who came out to race in the 12th Annual Angels Race in downtown Lynchburgh VA! Over 400 athletes participated on a beautiful spring day, honoring the angels in their lives.
Overall Winner Joseph Anderson
Female Winner Renee Kunnen
Angels Race Draws Hundreds
ABC 13 News
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
New Assisted Athletes Division Added To Angels Race
April 14, 2013
We were blessed with yet another beautiful day for the 11th annual Angels Race. Multiple college teams joined the fray, representing Virginia Tech, James Madison University, and Liberty. A new division was added in 2013, featuring assisted athletes as a wonderful addition. Stand outs included Jenna Trebour, who raced with her mother Beth, and Leslie Hogland, who raced with her daughter Jasmine.
Regardless of age or ability, every arm was marked with the name of an angel.
Overall Winner Parker Spencer
Female Winner Cheryl McMurray
Mothers Race With Angels In Lynchburg Triathlon
ABC 13 News
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Angels Race Participant
To me, there’s not another race with such a “feel good” atmosphere. Thanks to you and all of the staff and volunteers who put forth 110% effort into staging a great race. I’m glad I got to be a part of it!
Beth Trebour
How much fun my daughter had today. I mean laughing and everybody was talking to her. And honestly she felt that the whole race was for her.
Discover how you can honor the “angel” in your life and help make a difference in your local community today.
The 10th Anniversary Of The Angels Race Virginia
April 22, 2012
Despite less than ideal weather, hundreds of athletes, spectators, and volunteers came out on Sunday to celebrate the 10th Annual Angels Race. The founders are amazed that this “experiment in healing” is still going strong a decade later. Our heartfelt gratitude to all the triathletes that came out and wore their angels on their arms!
Overall Winner Danny Gibney
Female Winner Renee Kunnen
Annual Angels Race Helps Heal Pain
ABC 13 News
Hundreds Participate In Angels Race
ABC 13 News
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Mick Gunter
The stories, the lives that have been touched, that’s why we come out here and do this every race, every year to give people the experience of coming out and doing this race and healing from their losses
Tim Groover
It's just really cool to see those folks year after year come back because I think they sense, truly, how they've been a part of it and made it grown
Another Great Race Through Lynchburg, With A New Record And A Very Special Athlete
May 1, 2011
Arms out! Once again, we’re so grateful for all who came out to swim, bike, run, volunteer, and cheer – as a full field took on the Angels Race course. Grayson Cobb set a new Men’s Course record with a blistering 1:00:43, and Cancer Survivor Stephanie Deasy joined us for a victory lap to celebrate her recovery.
Overall Winner Grayson Cobb
Female Winner Renee Kunnen
Angels Race Triathlon 2011
Grayson Cobb
Cancer Survivor Fulfilling Her Goal
ABC 13 News
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Sonja Edwards
I’m excited to honor my niece and our special Angel through this race!
Discover how you can honor the “angel” in your life and help make a difference in your local community today.
So incredibly grateful to all our volunteers!
April 25, 2010
Angels Race Virginia 2010 was a success! Thank you to everyone who came out. The weather cooperated and a huge crowd of spectators and 100+ volunteers supported over 400 athletes who swam, biked and ran for their angels.
Overall Winner Marcus Wright
Female Winner Cheryl McMurray
For loved ones, Angels Race Triathlon is opportunity to remember
ABC 13 News
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Kevin Shroyer
As always, GREAT event! Thanks Mick, Tim, Geb and all the rest of the gang for providing us with the opportunity to do this race! Thanks volunteers because without you, we don't get to have our fun!
Beth Broman Groover
There are always new experiences, new stories, and faces with new hope on them! We are blessed to be touched by each of [them] in some way.
Incredible race with over 1,000 spectators!
April 26, 2009
A full field of 400+ raced in Lynchburg, VA. Over 200 volunteers in red t-shirts cheered on every participant.
A special thanks to the individual groups out honoring their angels – the spirit of honoring angels, and working through grief through sports is what this race is all about.
Overall Winner Ryan Hyslop
Female Winner Julie Hyslop
His greatest race
ABC 13 News
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Angels Race Participant
This was by far the most fun I have ever had in any race! I truly appreciated the attention to details, particularly for our angels.
Discover how you can honor the “angel” in your life and help make a difference in your local community today.
So incredibly grateful to all our volunteers!
April 13, 2008
The Angels Race takes wing again in 2008. Once again, we’re so grateful for all the volunteers that helped to make the race possible.
A special highlight was that Linde, Brittany’s younger sister, was able to run her first triathlon. Also, we were joined by Major David Rozelle. the first amputee to return to active command since the Civil War.
Overall Winner ?
Female Winner Laura Hamm
Memories of Loved Ones Spur Triathlon Participants
Lynchburg News & Advance
Determination To Serve
WSLS10 News
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Angels Race Participant
I thank you so much for allowing my girls to participate. They enjoyed the experience so much. I have 2 of them already talking about how they want to do one by themselves in the spring and the other wants to keep being part of relay teams. I know this is due in large part to how well this race was run.
Our 5th anniversary triathlon! The weather wasn't very kind, but spirits were still high.
April 16, 2007
More than 400 swimmers, cyclists and runners braved wet and cold conditions to take part in Sunday’s fifth annual Angels Race Triathlon, starting from Lynchburg’s Downtown YMCA.
Overall Winner Marcus Wright
Race For A Reason
Lynchburg News & Advance
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Discover how you can honor the “angel” in your life and help make a difference in your local community today.
Another amazing race for the Angels!
April 2, 2006
Four years in, we continue to be amazed by the overwhelming response to and participation in the Angels Race. Once again, hundreds came out to honor their Angels by weathering the challenges of triathlon.
Overall Winner Paul Gantzer
Female Winner Shannon Summerlin
Triathlon brings community together
Lynchburg News & Advance
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Susan Gower
It was absolutely wonderful, very inspirational, and I plan to come back next year.
Donna Hodgert
Everybody is really proud to be there and it's a big accomplishment to finish the race. You really see the passion. Something is pushing them more than the competition.
“From the start, the Angels Race has undeniably had the right feel.”
April 10, 2005
Once again, the Angels turned out in force. With almost 400 participants, the Angels Race generated more than $7,000 for both the Brittany Groover Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Karla Bolen Fund. In addition, $2,000 was raised for the local YMCA. We’re so honored by everyone who was involved. Looking forward to next year!
Overall Winner Michael Harlow
Female Winner Lynn Reed
Angels Race draws diverse crowd to downtown Lynchburg
Lynchburg News & Advance
2005 Triathlon Honors “Angels”
Virginia Tech Magazine
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Donna Hodgert
It's a perfect beginner's race. It's a little challenging because of the hills, but the support you get . . . everybody's very helpful.
Discover how you can honor the “angel” in your life and help make a difference in your local community today.
The second annual Angels Race was a success!
April 25, 2004
Participation and enthusiasm was high, and it was hardly dampened by an early-morning rain, as nearly 300 people swam, cycled and/or ran in the sprint triathlon, up from just over 100 in the inaugural event last year. We’re so grateful for everyone who came out – both participants and volunteers!
Overall Winner Kevin Reid
Female Winner Catherine Phillips
Plenty Turn Out For Triathlon
Lynchburg News & Advance
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Catherine Phillips
It was a fabulous family activity. It was amazing to see, Sunday morning, 300 people with their families and everybody standing there with umbrellas, still smiling.
The very first Angels Race provides an opportunity for participants to channel the “Angel Principle”
April 27, 2003
Born of a desire to share what they have learned, the creators of the Angels Foundation host the very first Angels Race in Lynchburg, VA. Each of some 80 participant dedicated their race to someone they love, either living or lost.
The race’s course was set from the beginning (and every year since) to start at the Lynchburg YMCA, tracing through the downtown area to cross the James River before looping back again to finish.
Overall Winner Kevin Reid
Female Winner Catherine Phillips
Racing For Their Angels
Lynchburg News & Advance
Mini-triathlon Coming April 27
Lynchburg News & Advance
A N G E L S I N A C T I O N
Mick Gunter
We want to focus on the spirit of the race, and it being a meaningful experience. We want people to compete, but we want it to be a very community, family-oriented (race).”