The Cassidy & Pinkard Brain Tumor Society 5K race committee announced yesterday that the race site and course for this year's race have been changed.

The new staging area will now be located at Freedom Plaza, on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 13th and 14th Streets, NW. The new course will start and finish between 12th and 13th Streets, NW, and will now take runners along a beautiful, flat and fast course offering views of the Capitol building, the Smithsonian museums, and a number of other historic buildings in Washington, DC. Many area runners will remember this course as last year's Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk for Arthritis (Saturday) course.

This new course is more convenient for most runners. The site is closer to more Metro stations, and many DC-area residents are familiar with Freedom Plaza and its surrounding businesses. Runners can enjoy a number of recreational activities after the race, including visiting the Smithsonian museums, the Washington Monument, and the Old Post Office Pavilion.

The Brain Tumor Society is a national non-profit organization committed to finding a cure for brain tumors through research, education and support. The Cassidy & Pinkard Brain Tumor Society 5K plays a significant role in raising money for The Brain Tumor Society. Last year, the race raised more than $200,000 for the Society, stemming from runners' entry fees and generous donations from both runners and local sponsors.

Post-race festivities include great food from Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream of Eastern Market, fresh Chesapeake Bagel Bakery bagels, bananas and apples, as well as great random prizes donated by area restaurants and retailers. Valuable awards and merchandise prizes go to the top three overall male and female winners and top two male and female finishers in five-year age groups, as well as the top male and female brain tumor survivors. Stick around for the random prize drawings during the awards ceremony!

The Cassidy & Pinkard Brain Tumor Society 5K race committee believes that this course is going to be more enjoyable for runners. This race is a great way to kick off the spring season, and runners from all over the country come to town for this event.

For more information about the race, please see the race Web site.

To view the new course map, please visit this link: www.runwashington.com/other/bt02course.html

To register online for the Cassidy & Pinkard Brain Tumor Society 5K, please click this link: www.signmeup.com/18502

To register by mail or fax, please visit this link: www.runwashington.com/other/bt02entryform.html