New Year’s Eve Race Benefits Local Charities

The annual New Year’s Eve Ringing In Hope Walk, Run & Fun winter race is set at Brambleton Town Center in Ashburn. In its third year, the area’s largest New Year’s Eve race features 10K and 5K races on a USATF-certified scenic course as well as a 1K walk/fun run.

Hogettes, the popular Washington Redskins fans, will signal the start of the race; the walk begins at 12:30 p.m. and the 10K and 5K races start at 1p.m.   

Online registration has ended, but anyone wishing to participant can register on race day at the town center at 10:30 am., or at one of the pre-race packet pickup locations:

• Potomac River Running, Leesburg
  Friday, Dec. 28, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sport & Health, Brambleton
  Sat., Dec. 29, 9 am to noon

All children participating in the 1K fun run/walk receive bells to “ring in hope” for great causes, as well as a participation medallion.

Commonwealth Race Management, a division of Potomac River Running, will time the races. Commonwealth Race Management provide state-of-the-art timing and professional race management services to allow race organizers to concentrate on other aspects of the event.

In Ringing In Hope tradition, racers – who will have access to changing rooms and shower facilities at Sport & Health – receive hors d’oeuvres at the finish line. The event also includes plenty of family activities, such as pony rides, face painting, music and moon bounces as well as a raffle and silent auction. Chessie Photography will photograph participants as they cross the finish line, and copies will be available for purchase.

Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female overall winners in each race, as well as the top three male and female finishers in various age categories.

This year’s race beneficiaries include:

• Make-A-Wish Foundation ® Mid-Atlantic
• Loudoun Habitat for Humanity
• Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter
• Inova Health Systems’ “Mobile Hope”

Representatives of each charity will available to showcase the groups’ services to the community. Participants can designate which charity benefits from their race registration fees.

Volunteers may still be needed. Volunteers are eligible to receive high school and service credit hours. To learn more, email info@ringinginhope.com or visit www.ringinginhope.com.

Sponsors for the event include: Brambleton Town Center, WINC 92.5 FM, Tetra Partners, Water To Go, Harris Teeter, Potomac River Running, Sport & Health Club of Brambleton, Chessie Photography, Nick Lutkins of Legal Shield, Dulles Greenway, NOVA Vehicle Donations, Big D’s Ponies, Ashburn/Leesburg Today, Total Development Solutions, Northern Virginia Magazine, Pulte Homes, Glory Days Grill, Jersey Mike’s Subs and Miller and Smith.