Photo above: A runner finished the 2004 Somerset 8K with interested spectators watching.

Register now for one of the Washington area's best family running events - the 18th Annual Back-to-School Classic 8K, 2K and Fun Runs, which will take place in Chevy Chase, MD on Sunday, October 9, 2005. The 8K will begin at 8 am, with the 2K beginning a few minutes later. The Back-to-School Classic benefits Somerset Elementary School.

Registration for adults is $20 until September 30; $25 from October 1 to race day. Registration for children 18 and under is $15 (no deadline). You must be registered by September 30, 2005, and you must be present to win random prizes.

Registration is available online, via mail or facsimile:

Complete this Entry Form and mail with a check or credit card number.

Online Registration: Click Here offers email confirmation of your entry

Nearly 800 runners participated in the 2004 8K and 2K races; the course with a few rolling hills goes through the charming neighborhoods of Somerset, Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights. The 8K is USTAF-certified, with Capital Running Company managing race logistics and ChampionChip timing.

The Classic also features Childrens' Fun Runs in many different age categories and a terrific brunch for all participants. There are prizes for the top three male and female overall finishers in both the 8K and 2K races. Age group prizes will be awarded for the top three male and female finishers for the 8K

In addition, the Back-to-School Classic is renowned for its abundance of great random prizes, drawn at the conclusion of the race. This year's grand prize is a Pioneer's Airware XM2Go radio, donated by XM Satellite Radio. Pioneer's Airware XM2GO is completely wireless and gives you 150 channels of new music, sports, news and talk, pumped fresh to your hand from sidewalk to side-street to mountain-side.

Prizes
The prizes for the top finishers will include restaurant certificates (Cafe Deluxe, Clydes, Ledo's and Dominoes), travel certificates from Esprit Rainbow Travel, one month Bethesda Sport and Health memberships, and gift certificates to Politics and Prose. Random prizes will include a gift card from Aveda Spa and Salon, gift basket from Saks, restaurant certificate from Rira Irish Restaurant and Pub, gift certificates to Ben and Jerry and Giffords and more!

Sponsors
The title sponsors for the event are Evers & Co. Real Estate Inc, for the eighteenth consecutive year, and XM Satellite Radio, which is sponsoring the race for the first time. Other primary sponsors include Breads Unlimited, Steve Schwat, MacMannes, Inc., Bethesda Sport & Health, Cafe Deluxe, Dream Home Remodeling, Esprit Rainbow Travel, Huntington Learning Center, Martens Cars of Washington, Stefanelli Brothers River Road Auto Service and Saks Fifth Avenue.

See the event Web site for further information.