Photo above: Lisa Thomas of Alexandria, VA, finished third among women (29:44) in 2004.
See the Van Metre 5 Miler Web site to register.

Participants of all ages are invited to run the Van Metre 5 Mile on Saturday, October 8, 2005, at 8:30 am; the neighborhood course is located in the Broadlands in Ashburn, Virginia. Runners and walkers of all skill levels can build their fitness and have fun together completing one of two distance events that benefit a great cause. The morning begins with the ChampionChip- timed Van Metre 5 Mile Run, followed by a Childrens' One Mile Fun Run and the Van Metre One Mile Walk/Run for Adults at 8:35 am. The Van Metre Companies will host a post-race celebration for all participants with refreshments, awards and door prizes such as Redskins tickets and a weekend at Wintergreen. (You must be present to win a door prize.)

Strollers are allowed in the 1 Mile Walk/Run only. New joggers and experienced racers are encouraged to join the morning's activities.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place overall male and female finishers. Additional prizes will be presented to the top two male and female runners in the following age groups: 19 and younger; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50- 59; 60-69; and 70 and up. Also, every child 12 years of age and under who finishes the Childrens One Mile Fun Run will receive a commemorative gift.

The registration fee for the 5-Mile is $20 until September 30. Beginning October 1, the entry fee is $25 for adults. Both the 5-Mile and the 1 Mile have a $5 fee for children 12 and under. Corporate team registration is $50 with an additional $15 for each member.

Packet pickup and late registration will take place on:
Thursday, October 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Potomac River Running Store, 20630 Ashburn Road in Ashburn, VA (703-729- 0133).
Friday, October 7th, from 12:00 to 5:00 pm at the Broadlands Nature Center, 21907 Claiborne Parkway in Ashburn, VA.
Race day registration and packet pickup on Saturday at the Broadlands Nature Center, 21907 Claiborne Parkway, from 7:00 to 8:00 am.

This local tradition extends over 13 years and the Van Metre Companies have raised over $1.5 million dollars for Children's Hospital through their sponsorship of the Van Metre 5-Mile Run for Children's Hopsital. The first race held in 1992 raised $6000; in 2004, the event raised $198,000. Broadlands, the best-selling Loudoun County planned community just off the Dulles Greenway in Ashburn, Virginia, hosts this event that draws hundreds of Van Metre business associates and members of the general public who enjoy a day of fitness, fun and camaraderie and support one of the best causes in the nation's capital region.

As one of the largest privately held and locally owned homebuilding, development, commercial real estate and property management companies in Northern Virginia, Van Metre "Sets The Standards" in everything it does, including the Van Metre 5 Mile Run For Children's Hospital.

Photo: Arlington resident Michael Wardian finished second (24:30) in 2004.