Inaugural Anthem Great Pumpkin 5K Set for October 10
Inaugural event will contribute to the Northern Virginia community and support research at the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute

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Posted Friday, 21 August, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Greater Washington Sports Alliance, along with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Potomac River Running Stores, have announced a new fall road race - The Anthem Great Pumpkin 5K and Pumpkin Dash - that will take place in the heart of the Reston Town Center. Scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2009, at 9:00am, the event will be open to both competitive runners and participants of all fitness levels and ages. The race will also serve as a cornerstone activity within the popular Oktoberfest celebration hosted by the Reston Chamber of Commerce taking place at the Town Center during the weekend.

"One thing we have found from our success in creating signature running events in this marketplace is that our community is at the core of putting on a quality road race," said Robert Sweeney, president of the Greater Washington Sports Alliance. "Fairfax County and the National Capital region are one of the fittest areas in the entire United States and we expect that the Anthem Great Pumpkin 5K and Pumpkin Dash will be embraced by our entire community and continue to add important value to this lifestyle from which we all benefit."

In addition to running on a beautiful fall day through one of the premier pedestrian friendly areas of Northern Virginia, runners and their families will also have the unique experience of seeing "The Greatest Pumpkin" in the State of Virginia first hand, which will be on display at the post-race Fall Festival, Oktoberfest. In conjunction with the Reston Chamber of Commerce's Oktoberfest, the Finish Line Festival will feature local restaurants, all day live entertainment, amusement rides and more. All participants will also have the opportunity to take part in the first annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest.

"Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is proud to support the entire Northern Virginia community through the encouragement of health and fitness activities like the Anthem Great Pumpkin 5K and Pumpkin Dash, which will ultimately provide residents and businesses alike a healthier place to live, work and play," said C. Burke King, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia.

An estimated 2,000 runners, joggers and walkers are expected to take part in the inaugural event which offers both a timed and non-timed 5K as well as a children's Pumpkin Dash. Families and children attending are encouraged to get into the fall season by participating in one of our Anthem Great Pumpkin events.

Registration fees for the event will be very affordable as registration is only $30 for the timed 5K and $20 for the non-timed 5K. The children's Pumpkin Dash will be a free Fun Run. All timed 5K participants will receive a free race shirt with registration. Untimed 5K participants will have the opportunity to purchase a race shirt for an additional fee.

Proceeds from the race will benefit research at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute. The cardiac and thoracic surgeons at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute provide world-class care using the most sophisticated technologies available, integrating healthcare services in a manner proven to enhance quality of care and clinical outcomes. It is the region's only program dedicated to both adult and pediatric patients, with their niche programs including an adult congenital heart clinic, atrial fibrillation center, the region's largest heart and lung transplant program, minimally invasive cardiac and thoracic surgery programs and a thoracic oncology program. Registrants can donate additional funds by visiting www.inova.org/foundation and then checking the IHVI designation during the donation process.

For more information on the event, go to www.thegreatpumpkin5k.com or call the event hotline at 1-866-RUN-0262.

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