It's time to mark your calendar, it happens only once a year, the closing of the George Washington Memorial Parkway from historic Mount Vernon, Va., into Old Town Alexandria. The tradition continues as the 19th Annual George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Miler and the 5th Annual 5K move to a new weekend, Sunday, April 27, 2003. There was a schedule conflict in obtaining the permit for the customary weekend. There will be an added feature of a 1 Mile Walk.

The scenic, point-to-point certified course will be run on the Parkway which will be closed to all vehicular traffic. The 10 Miler will start at 8:00 A.M. at Mount Vernon and the 5K will start at Belle Haven Marina along the George Washington Memorial Parkway and it will start at 8 A.M.. There will be free bus transportation from the finish line at Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town (Union Street and Pendleton Street). The last bus will leave a 7:15 A.M. The 1 Mile Walk will start at 8 A.M. and this will be from the finish line at Ornoco Bay Park.

The race will benefit the community through the James P. Moran Grants and the Alexandria Olympic Boys and Girls Clubs. The top male and female runners in the 10 Miler will be running afer $3,100 in cash prizes and $550 in the 5K. This includes the open and master divisions. There will be non-cash awards to the age group winners.

The event records for the 5K are as follows:

Open Male: Philippe Rolly 14:48
Open Female: Heather Hanscom 17:23
Master Male: John Tuttle 14:49
Master Female: Maria Spinnler 18:19

The winning times from 2002 in the 10 Miler were all new event records since it was the first year for the 10 Miler

Open Male: Benson Ogato 49:05
Open Female: Irina Suvorova 58:46
Master Male: Dan Lawson 58:21
Master Female: Laura Freix 1:04:38

There will be an Expo and packet pick up and late registration set for Saturday, April 26, 2003 at Ornoco Bay Park. At this time the race entry forms are being modified along with the race website, all is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

There will be in person registration available at Pacers , 101 King Street, Old Town Alexandria, Va. (703-836-1463).

For additional information or to request an application, please send an e-mail to George Banker (monkbank@aol.com).

The George Washington Parkway Classic is presented by Verizon and benefits the community through the James P. Moran Grants and the Alexandria Olympic Boys and Girls Club. The additional sponsors include Pacers of Old Town Alexandria and New Balance, Advanced Power Technologies, Inc., and Inova Health System.