(The lead pack shortly after the start of the 2003 Lawyers Have Heart 10K. Winner Chris Banks is wearing #6. Photo by Alan Penberg.)

A long standing Washington tradition continues on Saturday, June 12, 2004, the 14th Lawyers Have Heart 10K, 8:00 a.m., at The Washington Harbour, 3000 K Street, NW. Come and join an event with activities for the entire family. You do not need to be a lawyer to participate-all you need is a big heart.

This year's presenting sponsor is UPS. Proceeds from the race benefit the American Heart Association. Since the inaugural race in1991, $2.8 million has been raised. The mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. By participating, you will not only strengthen your own heart through exercise, you will also help to raise funds vital to the educational programs and research of the AHA.

Chris Banks, from Alexandria, Virginia and Tatyana Maslova, from Russia (Gaithersburg, MD) won the 2003 event in 31:09 and 35:24, respectively. The top lawyers were George Torgun (34:23), from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Heather Lamberg- Kafel (43:13) from Shearman & Sterling. The top masters division runners were Dave Berardi (34:14), from Baltimore, Maryland and Maria Spinnler (39:01), from Hagerstown, Maryland.

The runners start at 31st Street and K Street and run up to 20th Street, over to F Street to 18th Street, and over to I Street to 12th Street, over to E Street to the turnaround before 6th Street. The return is back along the same route. The course will remain the same in 2004.

There is also a 3K Fun Walk. Walkers also start at The Washington Harbour and follow the Potomac River to the Lincoln Memorial and back (walkers must stay on the sidewalk). Baby strollers and well-behaved, calm dogs are welcome to participate in the 3K Fun Walk.

Online registration will be available through the website http://www.runlhh.org starting on February 1, 2004. The registration fee through May 31, 2004 is $25.00. June 1 through June 11, 2004 is $32 and on race day the fee is $35.00. For children 12 and under the fee is $10.00.

If you sign up for the 10K and then you are unable to run, you will be able to transfer your number to another individual beginning on May 1 through June 4 for a $5 transfer fee (mail-in only). The substitute runner MUST sign the waiver.

If you would like to volunteer on race day, volunteers can sign up through the Web site starting on February 1.

Non-cash awards will be presented to the top six male and female runners in the open category and top five male and female runners in the masters divisions. The top finishers in the age groups will receive merchandise awards. The ChampionChip will be used to score. The overall awards will be based on "clock time" and the age groups will be determined by the "chip" timing.

The full race details are available at the race Web site or call (703) 914-3710.