Sunday, October 9, 2005
Chevy Chase, MD
8:00 AM
The Back-to-School Classic raises funds for a wide variety of educational opportunities- library and classroom resources, technology equipment, cultural arts programs, and extracurricular activities and clubs. On behalf of all the students, thanks for your support!

ChampionChip Timing

The ChampionChip timing system will be used to score the 8K race. The system uses a computer "Chip" which must be tied to runners' shoelaces, and records the exact time a runner crosses the starting line as well as the finish line, resulting in a net time for each runner. Overall awards will be based on "clock time," and age group and team awards will be based on net time. You must wear your ChampionChip on your shoe and cross the mats at the start and finish to be scored.If you are unfamiliar with the ChampionChip and running in Chip races, please see the Running In a ChampionChip Race article on this website.

If you are new to this distance or want to race faster, please read the article Training Tips for an 8K.

Look at the best Age Group performances from 1997 to 2005. Are you interested in a challenge?

2005 Race Day Report with age group winners and a link to a photo gallery and full results.

Registration
Individuals: Before October 1 - $20; October 1 through race day - $25
Youth 18 & under: $15, no deadline
Brunch and t-shirt only: $15, no deadline

Make checks payable to Somerset Elementary School PTA
Complete this Entry Form and mail with a check or credit card number to: Back to School Classic, 13710 Ashby Road, Rockville, MD 20853-2903.

Request a race brochure from the organizers "Please send me a brochure."

Look here for a List of Registered Runners.

For further information, call the race hotline at (301) 871-0400 or email office@runwashington.com.

The Classic T-Shirt

Colorful t-shirts to all entrants in the 8K and 2K. Non-runners and fun runners can order T-shirts for $15 by checking the t-shirt box on the entry form. The $15 fee includes brunch.

Great Prizes

There are great 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 the following age groups: 11 and younger, 12-15, 16-19, 20-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70 and up. Prizes include restaurant certificates, travel certificates, Sport & Health Club memberships and many others! Top random prize will be donated by XM Satellite Radio. All runners registered by (or postmarked by) Friday, September 30, are eligible for the random prize drawings. Must also be 18 or older to be eligible for the Grand Prize. Race day registrants are not eligible for random drawings, so send in your entry form early!

Race Course (8K and 2K)

The starting line for both the 8K and 2K races is near the corner of Dorset Avenue and Warwick Place, just off Wisconsin Avenue in Somerset, about a mile north of the DC line. The 8K course is USATF certified (MD05026JS) with water stations and mile splits. The course is pretty and scenic traversing gently rolling hills in Somerset, Chevy Chase, and Friendship Heights. Absolutely no strollers, baby-joggers, skates, or pets are permitted on the 8K course.

See the course map.

Fun Run For Children!

The Fun Run for youth (those 11 and under) will take place at Somerset Town Hall, 4510 Cumberland Avenue (off of Wisconsin Avenue), following the 2K race. The Fun Run is free to all youth but T-shirts must be ordered separately.

Packet Pick-up and Race Day Registration will take place at Somerset Town Hall, 4510 Cumberland Avenue (off Wisconsin Avenue) on Saturday, October 8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Sunday morning (Oct. 9) from 6:30 to 7:50 am.

Brunch and Awards Ceremony

The Brunch will be held at Somerset Town Hall, 4510 Cumberland Avenue (off Wisconsin Avenue) and is free to all registered runners and $15 for non registrants (includes t-shirt). The brunch is provided by Breads Unlimited, Clayboy's Shaved Ice, Whole Foods Market, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Meiwah Restaurant, DrinkMore Water, Starbucks, & Honest Tea. Check off the box and return the entry form.

Parking

Convenient parking is available at Saks Fifth Avenue on Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase, and it's just a short walk to the race. There is no parking at the actual race area.

Area Map

The 8K course has been modified slightly and recertified for 2005. The 2003 course map is presented here for reference as to the location of the event and parking.

2005 Back to School Classic Sponsors and Prize Donors
Evers & Company Real Estate, Inc.
XM Satellite Radio

Breads Unlimited
Steve Schwat, Mac Mannes, Inc.

Dream Home Remodeling
Esprit Rainbow Travel
Huntington Learning Center
Martens Cars of Washington
Stefanelli Brothers, River Road Auto Service
Saks Fifth Avenue

Bonnie Lewin, Evers & Company
Clyde's of Chevy Chase
DrinkMore Water
Honest Tea
London & Mead, Attorneys at Law
National Capital Bank of Washington
Whole Foods Market

Architectural Construction Technologies
Dr. Curtis Abigail, Orthodontist
Balodemas Architects
Belikove & Graves
Davey Tree
Laura DeBruce and Jeffrey Blackman
Debbie on the Run
Euro Motorcars
Flying Kick Tae Kwan Do
Manion and Associates Architects
Mulheron Tree Experts
Nancy Scheiner, Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Smith Thomas & Smith
Sumner Fitness

Clayboys Shaved Ice
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Domino's Pizza
Ledo's
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
Starbucks
Wow Cow Ice Cream

All Saints All Day
Big Wheel Bikes
Eye to Eye Video
McDonald's (River Road)
Politics & Prose Bookstore
Rill & Decker Architects
Zeidman/Resnick Family

Anglo Dutch Pool and Toys
Aveda Lifestyle Store, Spa & Salon
Ben & Jerry's
Child's Play
Gifford's
Griffin Bicyles
RiRa Irish Restaurant & Pub

Special Thanks To . . .
Saks Fifth Avenue for providing parking, David Herbick Design for the t-shirts, and the Town of Somerset for the tent and the use of Town Hall.