Come and join the celebration on May 11, 2003, 8:00 a.m., in West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. The Sallie Mae Fund will sponsor the 20th annual Sallie Mae 10K. The Sallie Mae 10K is a benefit for the D.C. College Access Program (DC-CAP). Last year more than $100,000 was raised. The DC-CAP enables area high school students to gain access to higher education through assistance in planning and preparing for college, and awards scholarships to eligible students to help close the financial need gap.

The event attracts top competition from international and local runners to the novice runner. The Sallie Mae Family Fun Run 2K will allow the entire family to enjoy a run together and then watch the exciting finish of the 10K. Yes, the Hains Point course is back.

The top competitors, male and female, will be running after $18,000 in cash prize money (males and females share equally). There is no duplication of cash awards. There will be only one male and female to be crowned the 20th anniversary winners. The men will be running to break the 1997 event record of 27:43 (Tom Kyariki). The women will be running after the 1991 event record of 32:00 (Jill Hunter).

In the open division there will be $5,200 going to the top six finishers ($1000-700-450-200-150-100). There will be an additional $1,000 for a new event record bonus to the fastest male and female breaking the above times.

In the masters division there will be $5,200 going to the top six finishers ($1000-700-450-200-150-100). There will be an additional $450 for a new event record bonus to the fastest male and female breaking the following times: male, 29:33, set in 1992 by Pierre Levisse, and the female time of 33:37, set in 1996 by Tatiana Pozdnyakova.

The wheelchair competitors will share $1,200 in cash awards going to the top three males and females ($300-200-100).

In the local open division there will be $2,450 going to the top six finishers ($500-300-200-100-75-50). Qualification for local applies to runners from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia who have lived in the area since 5/10/2002.

In the local masters division there will be $2,450 going to the top six finishers ($500-300-200-100-75-50). Qualification for local applies to runners from D.C., Maryland and Virginia who have lived in the area since 5/10/2002.

Cash awards of $150 will be presented to each first place finisher in the following age group divisions: 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and over.

There will be non-cash awards presented to top age group finishers in the following: 13 and under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, and 5-year age groups starting with 40-44 up through 80 and over.

Show your school spirit and settle, "who has the fastest feet on the street" by taking part in The Sallie Mae Fund Intercollegiate Team Challenge. This is open to college and university teams (including alumni) for some friendly competition. The Sallie Mae Fund will make a $1,000 donation to the winning school's general scholarship fund (Mixed team rules apply, 2 males and 2 females).

There will be awards for the top all-male, all-female, and mixed teams. A minimum of four to score and mixed team same as above.

There is much more. Help to make a dream become a reality on May 11, 2003 and bring out your family, friends, and coworkers.

The event will be using the ChampionChip for scoring provided by Capital Running Company. ALL prizes and awards will be based up "gun time" rather than "chip time." The official results will be posted by the Washington Running Report by race day afternoon.

Full details are available at the race Web site, or call the race hotline at (202) 969-2979.

Online registration is available.

Sallie Mae, founded 29 years ago, provides funds for educational loans, primarily federally guaranteed student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). The company currently owns or manages nearly $72 billion in student loans for more than seven million borrowers, and provides parents, students, and educators with comprehensive information on the financial aid process. Through its specialized subsidiaries and divisions, Sallie Mae also provides an array of consumer credit loans, including those for lifelong learning and K-12 education, and business and technical outsourcing services for colleges and universities. More information is available at www.salliemae.com. Sallie Mae is a registered service mark of the Student Loan Marketing Association. USA Education, Inc. and its subsidiaries, other than the Student Loan Marketing Association, are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States.

The Sallie Mae Fund - the philanthropic arm of USA Education, Inc., commonly known as Sallie Mae - is committed to providing America's students with the resources they need to prepare for and gain acceptance to college. Established in 1992, The Sallie Mae Fund's efforts are directed toward educating families about financing higher education; promoting volunteerism and community service; and supporting the communities where our employees live and work.