Virginia welcomes thousands of visitors each year, drawing travelers to the scenic beaches, storied mountains, lively cities and towns, and pastoral landscapes to discover all there is to love about the Commonwealth. But, as they say, “Home is where the heart is”, and Virginia’s charms are most evident to those who call it home. “My Home Virginia” is a tribute to what makes Virginia so special. 

Join us as we uncover Virginia's pivotal role in the lives of local athletes in Season Three of My Home Virginia. This season, meet Keira D'Amato, a world-champion Marathon Runner training for the Olympic trials; Jon Lugbill, a former watersport world champion reshaping his hometown's sports scene; and Nicola Cranmer, coach of the dominant US Women’s Cycling team and new Roanoke resident.

Experience Virginia as a vibrant sporting hub and home to elite athletes across various disciplines. Our series highlights tight-knit communities, breathtaking landscapes, and heartfelt testimonials that celebrate Virginia's unique charm. Explore why Virginia is not just a destination, but a place where sports and community thrive.

Episode One: Jon Lugbill

With 12 world championship trophies and an appearance on a Wheaties box to his name, Jon dominated the world of Whitewater Slalom Canoe Racing during his professional career. To this day, he is still considered one of the greatest ever at his sport. Currently, Jon is the executive director of Sports Backers, an organization committed to creating vibrant communities through the power of active living.

Now residing in Richmond, Virginia, Jon has found the perfect place to not only experience the thrill of paddling on the iconic James River rapids, but to experience all of what the outdoors has to offer from mountain biking, hiking, and even climbing. Jon’s passion for the outdoors was the driving force behind Richmond’s famous Dominion Energy Riverrock, one of the nation's largest outdoor sports and music festivals.

Episode Two: Nicola Cranmer

Having grown up in southern England, Nicola Cranmer might not have imagined her future running a professional women’s cycling team in Roanoke, Virginia, but now she says she wouldn’t have it any other way. A former professional mountain biker herself, she is now the owner and manager of the women’s pro-cycling team TWENTY24, the longest running women’s cycling team in the world, based in Roanoke. She is celebrated for her team's multiple Olympic medals and world championship titles.

Nicola moved the team to Roanoke from Idaho in 2022 after visiting and discovering the region is not only perfect for training, but also comes with an incredibly close and supportive community. The natural assets of Roanoke set the scene, the Blue Ridge Parkway, stunning views and challenging trails but in her own words she “has never felt so supported by the people” like she does in Roanoke.

Episode Three: Keira D'Amato

Pro distance runner and Richmond local, Keira D’Amato, fell in love with running in high school and kept at it, eventually breaking numerous records for distance running as well as track and field. In 2022, she broke the previous American women’s marathon record at 2:19:12. 

“If I could run anywhere in the world, it’s Pocahontas State Park,” she says. The beautiful scenery of central Virginia as well as the diverse landscape has made Richmond the ideal home base for the Nike-sponsored runner, but that’s not the only thing that keeps her here. Outside of her running career, Keira owns her own running store, PR Run & Walk, and spends most of her free time with her family. She has found the strong sense of community in Richmond has been just what she needs to stay motivated and feel truly supported.