Since graduating from Jefferson Forest High School in 2002 and James Madison University in 2006, where she starred in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field, Shannon Saunders has continued to make strides in the sport.

Rose started fast, scorching through the opening mile in 5 minutes, 46 seconds and leading nearly the entire race. She crossed the finish line in 23:49, four seconds ahead of defending champ Dana Thiele.

It was about time.

The title is up for grabs. Nearly 2,000 runners from all 50 states and seven foreign countries will be racing through the streets of Charlottesville this morning, but the defending champions won’t be in the pack.

Close to 2,700 people entered the area’s oldest and most prestigious footrace.

Robert Johnson hadn’t felt any pain in his hip before the Charlottesville Ten Miler, but almost as soon as he took off, it was there.

Charlie Hurt and Bob Thiele went toe-to-toe through the streets and over the hills of Charlottesville before Hurt (52:02) pulled away in the last half-mile for an 11-second victory at the 34th running of the Charlottesville Ten Miler.

After wrapping up a successful collegiate career at James Madison and completing a couple of years of training at JMU as a grad student, Shannon Saunders knew she needed a new challenge and a way to continue running competitively.

It appears some members of the Albemarle boys track team picked up right where it left off.

Former UVa standout Alex Tatu, who is in training in town with a team of post-collegiate athletes for the 2012 Olympic Trials, outkicked racing teammate Seth Hutchinson to take the overall blue ribbon.

A record number of women participated in the 26th running of the race. Over 3,000 females entered and despite grueling weather conditions, close to 2,500 women crossed the finish line. With searing temperatures in the 80s and 100 percent humidity, the women were battling with what race organizers called some of the most challenging conditions in the race’s history.

The last time Dana Thiele finished first at an area race was in March, when she was all business in using the Charlottesville 10-Miler as a final tune-up for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. This time around, Thiele, who out-kicked former UVa teammate Dawn Cromer to win the Charlottesville Women’s 4-Miler, was running for pure enjoyment and to experience the area’s single largest participatory event.

It’s often said that the third time’s a charm, and for Charlie Hurt, that phrase rang true as he crossed the finish line first overall at Saturday’s Charlottesville 10-Miler. The former Western Albemarle and William & Mary standout came from behind on a chilly and overcast morning to outkick frontrunner Rob Cook for his first victory in three tries at the area’s oldest and most prestigious foot race.

More than 50 runners clad in moss green T-shirts crossed the finish line Saturday at the Charlottesville 10-Miler. Few finished among the top racers, but that mattered little.

A number of runners honored one of the most respected members of the local running community during the Charlottesville 10-Miler Saturday. Several city employees, friends and family members ran in memory of Skip Kinnier, a longtime treasurer of the Charlottesville Track Club.

Whether running, watching, playing music or volunteering, anyone that’s involved with the Charlottesville 10-Miler will be a part of history this morning.