5K

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Youth Justice 5K on Sunday — Bluemont Park will be the scene of the first annual 5K Walk/Run for Justice on Sunday. The event will take place at noon and will raise money for Families and Allies of Virginia’s Youth, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to transforming the juvenile justice system in Virginia to one that is fair, effective and age-appropriate.” On-site registration is $25 and includes a free long-sleeved t-shirt. [DC Road Runners]

Arlington Fun Ride on Saturday — Phoenix Bikes is organizing a family-friendly 17-mile bike ride on Saturday. The Arlington Fun Ride will take riders on a leisurely bike tour of Arlington that will include stops in Crystal City, Ballston and Rosslyn. The ride will start at 8:00 a.m. and will begin and end at Phoenix Bikes (4200 S. Four Mile Run). There will also be a short children’s ride. The entry fee — $5 for individuals or $15 for families — will benefit Phoenix, a non-profit bike shop. Editor’s Note: The Arlington Fun Ride is an ARLnow.com advertiser. [Ode Street Tribune]

TNT Bar Launches Happy Hour — TNT Bar (2413 Columbia Pike) has started a happy hour. The bar, located in the back of the new Eamonn’s restaurant at Penrose Square, will offer four drink options — canned beer, a cocktail called “John Fosters punch,” and two varieties of wine — for $4. The happy hour lasts from 5:00 to 6:44 p.m.

Shirlington Road Closures for 9/11 Heroes Run

By ARLnow.com

The 9/11 Heroes Run Shirlington will shut down a number of roads in the area on Saturday (Sept. 29).

The 5K race is being held to benefit Travis Mills, an Army staff sergeant who lost all four limbs to an IED in Afghanistan earlier this year. Registration for the race — $35 for individuals — is still open.

The race will start at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of S. Randolph and S. Quincy Streets in Shirlington Village.

In order to facilitate the race, the Arlington County Police Department will be shutting down a number of streets from about 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Among them:

  • Westbound Four Mile Run Drive between Walter Reed Drive and George Mason Drive
  • Northbound Walter Reed Drive between Arlington Mill Drive and Four Mile Run Drive
  • Arlington Mill Drive between Walter Reed Drive and S. Quincy Street
  • All of the roads immediately surrounding Shirlington Village

Street parking will also be restricted in the area. Cars parked in areas marked as temporary ‘no parking’ will be ticketed or towed.

Organizers: 9-11 Memorial 5K Will Go On Rain or Shine

By ARLnow.com

Despite the threat of storms, organizers of the 9-11 Memorial 5K say the race will go on.

The race is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. tonight (Saturday) outside the Doubletree Hotel (300 Army Navy Drive). The course goes through parts of Pentagon City, Crystal City and the Pentagon reservation.

As of last night, some 600 entries were still available, at a cost of $35 each, and 4,400 were already sold. The price of registration includes a t-shirt, a finisher’s medal, and free food and beer after the race.

The race, now in its 11th year, is organized by volunteers from Arlington’s police department, fire department, sheriff’s office and the military. It benefits a number of charities, including the Wounded Warrior Project and Segs 4 Vets.

Race organizer Sgt. Sean Bryson said the race will go on rain or shine. In the event of lightning or dangerous weather, however, it will be postponed.

Clarendon Day Approaches, Expands Offerings

By Katie Pyzyk

The event dubbed “Arlington’s oldest street festival” is just a couple of weeks away. The 15th Annual Clarendon Day is approaching, and has added some new features this year.

Clarendon Day will run from 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on September 22, near the Clarendon Metro. Admission is free to attend the event, which will take place rain or shine.

The morning begins with the fourth annual 10K/5K/Kids Dash, which begins in front of Whitlow’s on Wilson (Kids Dash in front of Market Common) and takes runners on a course along the Orange Line corridor. Registration can be completed online.

This is the first year the event will include the “Clarendon Alliance Battle of the Bands.” The music lineup hasn’t yet been announced, but should be listed on the event website as the day grows near.

There will also be more activities for kids this year. From face painting to jugglers to climbing activities, the little ones should have plenty to keep them occupied.

More than a dozen local restaurants will serve up food and drinks, including Delhi Club, Lyon Hall, Northside Social, Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza and District Taco. Dozens of other exhibitors will be set up to satisfy attendees’ shopping cravings.

There will be a number of street closures for Clarendon Day. Clarendon Blvd and Wilson Blvd will be closed between Washington Blvd and Highland Street by 5:00 a.m. Wilson Blvd between Highland Street and Lynn Street will be closed from 8:00–9:30 a.m. to accommodate the race. Route 110 southbound will be closed from 8:00–10:30 a.m. Additional closures may be announced as the event approaches.

Shirlington 5K to Benefit Army Quadruple Amputee

By ARLnow.com

A 5K race in Shirlington next month will benefit an Army staff sergeant who lost all four limbs to an IED in Afghanistan earlier this year.

The 9/11 Heroes Run Shirlington, scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, will feature a 5K race and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. The event is one of nearly three dozen 9/11 Heroes races around the country.

Registration for individuals is $35, while registration for a family of four is $80. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Travis Mills Fund. Sgt. Mills was the fourth quadruple amputee from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. A father and husband, Mills has been living at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he has been learning to walk on a new set of prosthetic legs.

Mills, a Michigan native, appeared on TV last month and discussed his road to recovery and his optimistic outlook on life. The Mills Fund helps his family pay travel and living expenses that aren’t covered by insurance or the military. The race aims to raise a total of $5,000.

A post-race party will be held at The Bungalow Sports Grill in Shirlington (2766 South Arlington Mill Drive).

Another, unrelated 9-11 memorial race, the Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5K in Crystal City, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8.

Photo via Facebook

2012 Bluemont 5K Set For Tuesday

By Aaron Kraut

The 2012 Bluemont 5K will start at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Belmont Park South Pavilion (399 N. Manchester Street).

The course is on both the Four Mile Run and Washington & Old Dominion trails and will wind back toward the South Pavilion. Online advance registration is open until 6 p.m. today (Monday) and is free for DC Road Runners members and $5 for non-members. On-site, day-of-race registration is $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

There will be free parking, but Metro riders can take one of the 1-series buses from from the Ballston Metro to Wilson Boulevard and N. Manchester Street.

Check out the race page at DC Road Runners for more information.

Registration Open For 9-11 Memorial 5K

By Aaron Kraut

Registration is open for the Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5K, set for Saturday, Sept. 8 in Crystal City.

The event sold out about a week ahead of last year’s race day, said race organizer and retired Arlington County Police Capt. Matt Smith. Registration is capped at 5,000 runners.

The race starts at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City (300 Army Navy Drive). Runners can register online for $25 through Aug. 3, $30 from Aug. 4 to Sept. 7 and $35 on race day. Team registration ends on Sept. 1. Proceeds will be donated to charities including the Wounded Warriors Project and Homes For Our Troops.

Registration Open for Crystal City Twilighter 5K

By ARLnow.com

Registration is open for the annual Crystal City Twilighter 5K.

The Pacers-organized race is scheduled to take place at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. The start and finish will be located on Crystal Drive between 20th and 23rd Streets. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 5 overall male and female finishers. Merchandise prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in 10 different age groups, from 0-5 to 70+.

Unlike in previous years, the race course is now expected to take runners mostly south instead of north. Due to construction on the northern end of Crystal Drive, we’re told that runners will now head south on Potomac Avenue, toward Potomac Yard, before heading back toward Crystal City.

Photo courtesy Crystal City BID. Disclosure: Crystal City BID is an ARLnow.com advertiser.

Race Series for Dogs and Humans will Benefit Rescue Animals

By Katie Pyzyk

There are a lot of local races, but one is encouraging runners to celebrate the dog days of summer with a four-legged friend.

The Lost Dog 5K race series will feature low-key evening races on four Fridays later this summer — August 3, 10, 17 and 24. They begin at 6:30 p.m. at Bluemont Park and benefit the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. Each runner’s bib will have a tag good for one complimentary beverage at the post-race party at Stray Cat Cafe (5866 N. Washington Blvd).

Although dogs are encouraged to participate, it’s not necessary for humans to bring one. Each dog will get its own timing tag. There will be prizes for top dogs according to weight class, and for top humans according to age group.

Another unique feature is that runners who don’t have a pooch of their own can “Rent-A-Mutt” for $10, and help one of the Lost Dog rescues get a little exercise. There will be about 10 dogs per week available for rental on a first come, first served basis. Rental dogs will not be timed.

In order to participate, dogs must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be well-socialized and friendly with people and dogs of all sizes.
  • Must remain leashed and under the control of a human at all times.
  • Must be current on rabies vaccinations.

Race organizers reserve the right to remove any dog behaving aggressively towards people or dogs.

Due to course restrictions, registration is limited. Registration is $50 for humans or $65 for a human/canine team, and can be done online. There is also a video online answering questions about running with a dog during the summer.

5K Race Will Benefit Injured Turtles

By Katie Pyzyk

A race through Arlington this Saturday, May 19, not only gives competitors a chance to show off their speed, but also helps injured wildlife.

The 2nd Annual Turtle Trot 5K takes runners along the W&OD trail. Proceeds help with the rehabilitation of injured local turtles and wildlife, and with providing shelter until they can be released back into the wild. Some money also goes toward educational programs at Long Branch Nature Center.

Following the race, the whole family can enjoy educational booths, games and displays, some of which feature live animals. Onlookers can also cheer on the stars of the “real turtle race.”

The 5K starts close to the picnic pavilion in lower Bluemont Park, near Wilson Blvd and N. Manchester Street. Sign up can be done online through Friday, or on location starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. The race begins at 10:00 a.m.

The W&OD trail will not be closed during the race, so runners must share the trail. Others who plan to use the trail at that time are encouraged to be patient and be mindful of runners.

For more information, call 703-228-6535.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

New School Budget Approved — The Arlington School Board approved a new $499.98 million budget last night. The budget includes a 2.84 percent cost of living increase for school employees, but no seniority-based “step” increases. The per-student cost at Arlington Public Schools will increase to $18,615, up from $18,400 in Superintendent Patrick Murphy’s FY 2013 proposed budget and $18,110 in this past year’s budget. [Sun Gazette]

Extra I-66 Lane Studied — Adding an extra lane in each direction on I-66 would improve travel times for drivers by only about 2 percent, while costing some $310 to $685 million, according to a preliminary study. [Greater Greater Washington]

Human Error in Rosslyn Derailment — Human error is suspected in Tuesday night’s derailment at the Rosslyn Metro station. Two Metro employees were placed on paid leave following the incident. [Washington Post]

Randy Johnson Visits W-L — Future Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson came to Arlington to watch a Washington-Lee High School baseball game last Friday. The Big Unit spent time in the dugout and posed for photos with players. [Patch]

Last 5K Friday Tonight — The last Crystal City 5K Friday of the season will take place starting at 6:30 tonight. Registration for the race is $20. [Pacers Events]

View More Stories