Photo: Some of the area's top runners were attracted to the 2003 edition of the Plaza America Family 5K for its $2,000 prize purse.

Atlantic Realty, primary sponsor and organizer of the Plaza America Family 5K, announced some changes in the already- generous award structure for the third annual race, and the grand prize for the random prize drawing.

The awards structure for this race has gone two deep in five- year age groups, beginning at 19 and under and going up to 75 and above. This year, Atlantic Realty has added a third-place category for each division. Age group prizes will be gift certificates from Footsteps of Reston: $50 for first, $25 for second, and $15 for third. Overall winners will receive cash awards: $500 for first, $250 for second, and $125 for third. The first male and female Reston residents will receive $125 each.

As a grand prize for the random drawing, Modell's has donated a treadmill. Other random awards include gift certificates to local stores and restaurants.

As another new addition to the race, local elite runner Peter Sherry will present a clinic at 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 4 at the Reston YMCA. Watch the race Web site for more details as we get closer to race weekend.

The Plaza America 5K will be held at 8:30 am on Sunday, April 18, at the Plaza America shopping center on Sunset Hills Road in Reston. The race benefits Children's National Medical Center. Atlantic Realty has selected The Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Center for Surgical Care at Children's as the recipient of the money raised by this race. In 2003, the Plaza America Family 5K made a donation of $135,000 to Children's. The 2004 goal is $150,000. All sponsorship funds will go directly to Children's Hospital.

For details about the 3rd annual Plaza America Family 5K, including online registration or a printable entry form, visit the race Web site.