Event Information

Come celebrate our nation's birthday with a run! Join us for the festivities on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, for the second Let Freedom Run 5K. There is also a 1K fun run for the kids. So, bring the whole family and celebrate the 4th with us! Walkers are welcome in the 5K race.

The 5K race begins promptly at 8:00 a.m; the kids fun run begins at 9:00 a.m.

Location

Race activities take place at Fairfax Corner Shopping Center, conveniently located just off I-66 in Virginia.  The start/finish line is on Grand Commons Avenue within the Shopping Center. If using a GPS system, use this address: 11901 Grand Commons Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22030. Or, see directions below.

Registration

Monday Packet Pickup and Registration

Packets, t-shirts, bibs, and ChronoTrack D-tags will be available at the Pacers Fairfax located at 10427 North Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 on Monday, July 2 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 pm. The phone number at the store is 703-537-0630.

Tuesday Packet Pickup and Registration

Packets, t-shirts, bibs, and ChronoTrack D-tags will be available at the open plaza in the middle of the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center (Monument Drive & Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA) on Tuesday, July 3 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Register in person or pick up your packet Monday, July 2, and Tuesday, July 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the open plaza in the middle of the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

Race day registration and packet pick-up will open at 6:30 a.m. at the open plaza in the middle of the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

Course

USATF Certification No.  VA05035RT. The rolling loop course offers a fast finish into the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center. See the course map.

Awards & Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top ten men and top ten women, and to the top three men and women in the following age divisions: 19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 & over. Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food at Fairfax Corner has provided gift cards for all award winners, and a few randoms, too! The awards ceremony will take place on the stage in the open plaza at approximately 10:00 a.m. Lots of random prizes will be awarded, too. So, stick around and you may win dinner for two or a gift certificate to your favorite running specialty store. The grand random prize is a Pedego folding electric bike. It has a 12" wheelbase and is Metro friendly.

Entertainment

Before, during, and after the race, Jeff with Accounting will have you dancing on the open plaza at Fairfax Corner Shopping Center. Jeff from Accounting is a cover band in the Washington, DC metro area playing 80s, 90s, and 2000s rock, alternative rock, and pop hits. Bring a towel and play in the interactive fountain to cool down after the race!

Post-Race Refreshments

Fruit, bagels, cookies, and bottled water will be provided at the finish line.

T-shirts

All runners and volunteers will receive the Let Freedom Run T-shirt, featuring a colorful, patriotic design.

Kids Fun Run

There will be a 1K noncompetitive fun run for children of all ages. The fun run will start on Grand Commons Avenue near the 5K start/finish line at 9 a.m. (or whenever the 5K is finished), and finish at the 5K finish line. The $15 registration fee includes a T-shirt and medals to all finishers.

ChronoTrack

The ChronoTrack timing system will be used to score the 5K race. The system uses a disposable D-tag, which must be secured to runners' shoelaces, and records the exact time a runner crosses the starting line as well as the finish line, resulting in a net, or "Chip" time for each runner. Overall awards will be based on the "clock time," and age group awards will be based on "Chip time."

Water Stations

In addition to water at the start/finish, water will be available on the course just past the half-way point.

Bag Check

A bag check service will not be offered at this race due to the warm weather in July and the close proximity of parking in the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

Parking

Ample free parking is available in the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

Directions to Fairfax Corner Shopping Center

From the Beltway (I-495), take I-66 west toward Front Royal. Take Exit 57A toward Fairfax. Turn right at the first light onto Waples Mill Road. Take the first right onto Random Hills Road. Turn left into the shopping center on Random Wall Way and park. Follow Grand Commons Avenue toward the center of the shopping center.

For GPS, use this address: 11900 Palace Way, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Volunteer Opportunities

Come one, come all and join in the fun as an event volunteer! This fun event relies on 50 plus volunteers to be successful and we need your help.

Volunteer jobs include water station, registration area, or course marshals on race day. Or, volunteer at packet pick up on Monday, July 2, or Tuesday, July 3.

Please e-mail Capital Running Company to sign up and for more information: office@runwashington.com.

Additional Information

For additional information, call the Race Hotline at (301) 871-0400.

Please note: Rollerblades, bicycles, and pets are prohibited on the 5K course. The use of headphones is strongly discouraged. No refunds. No confirmations will be sent unless you register online; to confirm your entry, please check the list of registered runners a week or so before race day. Please pick up your T-shirt on or before race day, as we cannot mail it to you.