Come Run With Us!
Six premier events in Loudoun County, Virginia have joined together to form the Loudoun Race Series, presented by Potomac River Running stores (Ashburn, Burke, Reston, and coming soon to Arlington).

Participants in all six events will receive a commemorative short sleeve technical t-shirt. Have a conflict and can't do all six? No problem, participate in four series races and earn a commemorative medal . . . and if you are able to make it to five races, add a $10 gift certificate from Potomac River Running Store to the medal. (All six events gets you the shirt, medal, and gift certificate!) Also, accumulate points for your performance and qualify for series-wide performance awards. The more races you run, the better your chances to win.

Register now for these great events to assure your award eligibility!

The following events are included in the series:

Van Metre 5-Mile Run for Children's Hospital
Saturday, March 15, 2009 8:30 am
The Broadlands Subdivision, Ashburn, VA

The Van Metre 5-Mile Run is an event for the entire family. Serious runners, weekend and occasional joggers, walkers, and even strollers (for the One Mile Fun Run/Walk only) of all skill levels are invited to participate. The 5-Mile Run features ChampionChip timing and team competition. This event has more prizes for children than any other race. The 5 mile course stretches throughout the beautiful Broadlands community. There is also an easy 1 mile course for children and walkers.

Run for the Shelter Half-Marathon & 5K
Sunday, April 20, 2008 8:30 am
Leesburg, VA

Now entering its 13th year, the LAWS Half-Marathon is the longest foot race in Loudoun County. This year's event, which will be held at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds, will feature a 1K kid's run within the fairgrounds for children 10 years and under. Both the half marathon and 5K will be certified and sanctioned by the USATF. Runners in both races will compete along scenic rolling, courses that start and end at the Fairgrounds.

Potomac River Running Twilight Festival 4-Miler
Saturday, June 28, 2008 6:30 pm
Ashburn, VA

The third annual Potomac River Running Twilight Festival 4-Miler will be held in Ashburn, VA. The fast course and evening start make this a unique event you won't want to miss. Enjoy the rare opportunity to race the 4-Mile distance and celebrate post-race. With live music, post-race food and beverages, and activities for the kids, the event is guaranteed to be fun for the whole family, whether you run or take in the Festival. Great awards, ChampionChip timing, five-year age groups, and a technical t-shirt guaranteed to every pre-registered participant.

Harris Teeter Presents
YMCA Loudoun County
Leesburg 10K & 20K
Sunday, August 10, 2008
7:30 am
Downtown Leesburg, VA

Come out to Leesburg and run with the cows! This popular summertime race is a fixture on the Washington, DC area race calendar. The race features ChampionChip timing and 10K and 20K races on scenic, rolling courses on the W&OD Trail. A free kids fun run, with medals to all finishers, tops off the event. This race is well positioned to be a good training race for runners working on a fall marathon training program.

Stone Ridge 5K Race for Education
Saturday, October 18, 2008 9:00 am
Stone Ridge Subdivision, Stone Ridge, VA

In its third year, the Stone Ridge 5K Race for Education promises to become a fall classic. The event benefits Dulles South public schools. There is something for everyone in the family, with abundant prizes, five-year age groups, ChampionChip timing, a flat, fast course, and a kids fun run. Cash awards of $250, $150, and $100 will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers in the 5K!

Freeze Your Gizzard 5K Cross Country Race
Saturday, November 22, 2008 9:00 am
Leesburg, VA (link to come soon!)

Run off the road and onto the cross country course! Leesburg Parks and Recreation, in partnership with Loudoun Interfaith Relief, will host the sixth annual Freeze Your Gizzard Cross Country Run. Entry fees plus canned food donations support the Interfaith Relief's food bank. Registered 5K runners will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt and registered 1 mile runners will receive a race medal. The 5K will be timed with the ChampionChip. Refreshments for all following the race. Thanksgiving themed food prizes will be awarded and all participants will be entered in the random prize drawing for additional prizes and giveaways.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Race sponsorship is a great way to bring exposure to your company and position it among Loudoun County's fitness-oriented population.

If you or your company are interested in sponsoring the series, please contact Ray Pugsley, Potomac River Running, (703) 582-5132.

If you or your company are interested in sponsoring one of these great races, please contact:

Van Metre 5 Mile Run: Candy McCracken, Van Metre Homes, (703) 425-2600;

Run for the Shelter Half Marathon and 5K: Bruce Lung, Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter, (703) 391-1490;

=PR= Twilight Festival 4-Miler: Ray Pugsley, Potomac River Running, (703) 582-5132;

Harris Teeter YMCA Leesburg 10K & 20K: Amy Grabowski, YMCA Loudoun County, (703) 777-9622;

Stone Ridge 5K: Jeff Staples, Stone Ridge Elementary School PTA, (703) 728-2186.

Freeze Your Gizzard 5K: Rachel Goodwin, Ida Lee Recreation Center, (703) 737-7156.

See the report of the 2007 Loudoun Race Series.

See race reports and photo galleries from the some of the 2007 series of races:

The Van Metre 5-Mile Run for Children's Hospital.

The Potomac River Running Twilight Festival 4-Miler.

The Harris Teeter presents YMCA Loudoun County Leesburg 10K & 20K.

The Stone Ridge 5K Race for Education.

And, even though it was not part of the series in 2007, we have a report on the Freeze Your Gizzard 5K Cross Country Run.