Community Corner
Firecracker 5 for the Troops
Kick off your 4th of July with a 5k bang! Join us for the 4th annual Firecracker 5k benefiting the USO of Metropolitan Washington!
This is a wonderful opportunity to give thanks and show your support to our local military members and their families by participating in the “Firecracker 5k for the Troops” race which benefits the USO of Metropolitan Washington.Experience live music, face painting, waving flags and free massages! Come out and root for your favorite military branch in the “Battle of the Branches” competition! Which Military branch runs the Metro area? Potomac River Running will make a donation on behalf of the branch with the most runners registered for the Firecracker 5k for the Troops to the USO Metro.
WHEN: July 4, 2013, 8 a.m.
WHERE: Reston Town Center, 11911 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA 20190 (Potomac River Running Store)
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GIVE BACK: Celebrate our littlest patriots by bringing pencil sharpeners and notebooks to “Stuff the Mobile USO Truck!” The school supplies contribute to USO-Metro’s Operation Back to School program which provides nearly 4,000 local military children a backpack filled with schools supplies.
SWAG!: Pre-registered runners will receive 2013 Firecracker 5k technical race T-shirts. Please note that T-shirts are not guaranteed to late registrants or race day registrants. Also, the first 800 people to pick up their race packets will receive Firecracker 5k pint glasses!
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COLLECTIBLE PIN: The first 2,000 to arrive to packet pickup will receive an official Firecracker 5k pin – as a constant reminder of your achievement! =PR= Race Series lanyards will be available for purchase ($3.00) so you can begin or add to your =PR= Race Series pin collection!
LITTLE KIDS FUN RUN: The fun run will be a couple hundred yards long on Market Street at 8:50 am following the 5k finish. Sign up will be morning of at the finish line area. All finishers will receive a bib and medal! There will also be a blow-up obstacle course and face painting for kids at the finish line!
5k TIME LIMIT: There is a 60 minute time limit for the 5k – this means one must maintain ~19 minute miles. The course is not stroller-friendly.
FREE MASSAGES: Runners can enjoy a free massage provided by Fast Track Physical Therapy. Designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery, the Fast Track team will use Sports Massage, Swedish, Deep Tissue & Neuromuscular techniques to help with improved blood flow to your muscles, reduction of scar tissue, and improved tissue elasticity and increased absorption of nutrients.
LIVE MUSIC & FOOD: Let the celebration last all morning with music by Johnny Rico’s Powerhouse Band and enjoy some delicious post-race refreshments from American Tap Room! Keep the party going with American Tap Room’s Fourth of July celebration, specials for all runners!
AWESOME AWARDS: There will be cash awards for the top 3 overall male and female finishers ($300, $200, $100) as well as for the top master runners ($100) and awards for the top 3 in each age group: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75 & over.
There will also be awards for the top 3 fastest teams. We will also make a donation to one of the USO Metro programs on behalf of the largest service branch team and largest team.
FREE PHOTOS: FREE high resolution race photos will be available for download from the Potomac River Running Flickr page. Keep an eye out for our on-course/finish line photographer and be prepared to strike a pose! We will send an email notifying you when the pictures are ready to be shared.
TIMING: This race will be timed by Commonwealth Race Management and will be electronically timed using the ChronoTrack B disposable tag system. Full results will be posted following the race onwww.prraces.com and the =PR= Race Series Facebook page.
*Please note: You must pick up your packet (including collectible pins) at one of the designated times. Packets will not be mailed or reserved for a participant after the race. In addition, awards must be claimed within two weeks of the conclusion of a race.
Net proceeds from this event will support the many programs and services that the USO of Metropolitan Washington provides to serve our local troops and their families.
About USO of Metropolitan Washington: USO-Metro is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress, and dedicated to “Serving those who serve, and their families” in Washington D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. It is through the generous financial support of individuals and organizations in the local community that USO-Metro is able to fulfill its mission. With the help of nearly 5,000 devoted volunteers, USO-Metro provides programs and services for active duty troops and their families at area military hospitals; through its Mobile USO program; at five USO Centers, four USO airport lounges and through Operation USO Care Package. For more information please visit www.usometro.org or “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter by searching USO-MetroDC.
