Sports Backers is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 and located in Richmond, Virginia at Sports Backers Stadium. The mission of the Sports Backers has expanded from its beginnings as a traditional sports commission for economic development to be focused on increasing physical activity to improve the health of area residents. The Sports Backers created Movement Makers, a national active living conference to encourage community health organizations that promote physical activity to have a place to gather and learn from each other. The annual event takes place in Richmond, Virginia and occurs at the same time as Dominion Riverrock. The Sports Backers own Dominion Riverrock,[1] the largest outdoor sports and music festival in the country,[2] the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k, the 8th largest running race in the United States,[3] and the Anthem Richmond Marathon, the 18th largest marathon in the country.[4] The organization owns and produces 15 events. The organization also supports other organizations with more than 24 major sports tourism events in the Richmond region receiving annual support through marketing grants, operational assistance and loaning equipment.[5] Sports Backers was named the Member of the Year by the National Association of Sports Commissions in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015.[6] Jon Lugbill is the organization's executive director and has been leading the organization since 1993.
The Sports Backers training teams provide local residents a way to prepare for local road races.[7] The Sports Backers Marathon, Half Marathon and 8k training teams prepared runners for the three races of the Anthem Richmond Marathon.[8]