Are you looking for the right corporate running event? There is a rare running opportunity on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 9:00 a.m, at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA and the 30th anniversary of the Patriots' Cup Corporate Challenge 8K. It is for the physical fitness, the personal endurance, the camaraderie, and more importantly the beneficiary, The Arc of Northern Virginia, a non-profit organization that provides advocacy and direct service to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Patriots' Cup Corporate Challenge 8K established standards in 1979 when the event was a 10K and it changed in 1991 to the 8K. In the first year, George Mason University graduate Will Albers ran 33:29 and returned the following year to claim first in 31:53. In the first 12 years he was the only two-time winner of the 8K. While at George Mason (1976-1978) he set school records in the 2-mile, 3-mile, 6-mile, steeplechase, and 10,000 meters.

Albers was runner up at the second Marine Corps Reserve Marathon with 2:20:14. In 1980 he place 32nd out of 132 runners at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with a 2:17:50 in Buffalo, NY. In 1981, he was the winner of the first District of Columbia Marathon in 2:27:58 and the runner-up in 1982 with 2:29:00.

Any organization can enter Northern Virginia's premier corporate challenge. Teams consist of 5 to 7 runners in the All Men, All Women, or Coed division (at least 2 runners must be women). The entry fee is $500 for a team. Individuals are welcomed and the fee is $25.

The event records for the 8K

Open Men	1992 Greg Watson      25:06  	
Open Women      2006 Vanessa Hunter   28:50
Master Men	1998 Steve Dye        28:36	
Master Women    2006 Linda Foley      32:57

The Arc of Northern Virginia welcomes volunteers either on race day or throughout the year. Contact Lynn Ruiz at 703-532-3214 to volunteer.

"It's fun to run with Tom (Congressman Davis) and he's a great guy and neither of us is going to break any records. This was a good turnout and good weather for the 8K and a good community cause. There is no excuse for someone not to be able to run an 8K. When Tom and I got bored we talked about common interest," stated Congressman Jim Moran (2001). The two crossed the line in 45:43.

In photo Davis is trailing off Moran's shoulder

In 2001, the Executive Director of the Arc of Northern Virginia, Mark Russell stated the following, "Community matters and people with disabilities live in or community and that's a fact in our society. We choose to embrace that and we invite companies to participate. There have been companies who have participated for more than 15 years and we are the premier corporate run and it's important from a community standpoint".

"I was being competitive and I had a PR, I'll take it. The course had a few ups and downs. I think everyone liked it we'll be back next year. I had to keep looking over my shoulder. One of my neighbors beat me in the last 10 yards. I wanted to support a good cause and show an IBM presence. This is a corporate challenge and I figure we ought to be out there," stated Roger Fielding of Team IBM (2001, 39:19).

A special dedication was made in 2001 to honor Elaine Joyce, the former Executive Director of the Arc; she lost her battle with cancer. Joyce was one of the founders of the race which was her passion. A weeping cherry tree was planted in front of the Physical Education building and it was expected to be in bloom by the start of the 2002 race.

2007 Winners

Open	Tom Crandall 28:54 PEC	Betsy Eames  32:00  BIT Systems
Master  Tom Crandall 28:54 PEC	Anita Freres 33:15

Top Corporate Teams

Male - Raytheon A
Ken Delraso, Todd Mercer, Chris Hecht, 
John Kendra, Bell Martinez, Bill Menke, 
Dan Guana
Female - BIT Systems
Betsy Eames, Stephanie Nguyen, Stephie Hutson,
Cindy Murabito, Pam Murphy, Haley Worsham
Coed - Raytheon A
Candy Hider, Bryan Senter, John Rinn,
Julie Sargeant, Amanda Rottier

Race details and registration located at www.thearcofnova.org
or call 703-532-3214 ex 114
or write Lynn Ruiz, Director of Community Relations, The Arc of Northern Virginia, 98 North Washington Street, Falls Church, VA 22046.

The Arc of Northern Virginia, an affiliate of the national organization, The Arc, was founded in May of 1962. The Arc of Northern Virginia is known as the leader in providing effective advocacy and indispensable direct services for families, children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities to enable full, welcoming community participation.