Image courtesy of Run! Geek! Run!
How many races give out bobblehead trophies to winners? There’s at least one, and it’s right here in Alexandria. Pull out your running shoes and save the date for Run! Geek! Run! 5K on Sept. 26, 2021 with kick-off at 8:30 a.m.
Run! Geek! Run! 5K is going on its 13th year. The race was originally started by PR firm W2 Communications which works with a lot of tech firms, hence the race’s name. The race has been through a few different distances and locations before it was taken over in 2016 by Alexandria-based web-development and marketing company, Ironistic, and moved to Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood.
“We wanted it [the race] to be a community feel, we set out from the get-go that we were going to support an Alexandria based non-profit and we were going to try and get as much of the community involved as possible,” explained Rita Foss who co-founded Ironistic with her husband, Chris.
This means students from Alexandria City High School and West Potomac High School volunteer at the event and students from George Washington Middle School, which is where the course starts and finishes, sing the national anthem at kick-off every year.
This year, the beneficiary of all race proceeds is The Child & Family Network Centers, an Alexandria non-profit that provides free, high-quality education and services to the most at-risk children in our community.
Image courtesy of Run! Geek! Run!
Race mascot, Eugene, poses with kids from The Child & Family Network, a local non-profit and beneficiary of the 2021 race proceeds.
When asked why they chose them to benefit from this year’s race Foss explained. “It just seemed like such a good fun fit…everyone [involved with organizing the race] has got kids, we love kids, it’s just one of those things where it was such a good fit…What they do is amazing, and where they’ve come from and how they’ve got started is fabulous.”
Past race beneficiaries include local non-profits Capitol Post, Alexandria Firefighters Helping Hands, Alexandria Seaport Foundation and National Industries for the Blind. Foss said many of these organizations have come out to support the race in subsequent years.
The USATF certified 5K course runs along Main Line Boulevard and Potomac Avenue and is kid- and stroller-friendly. Registration is $35 until Sept. 24 when it goes up to $40.
Image courtesy of Run! Geek! Run!
Bobblehead trophies of race mascot, Eugene.
Back to those bobbleheads. The awards are in the likeness of the race mascot, Eugene, a computer programmer who enjoys “taking electronics apart, DJing video game tournaments, cosplay and Dungeons & Dragons” in his free time, according to the race website. The bobblehead awards are given to the top three overall male and female runners as well as the top three in each of the 14 different age groups. The top three community and corporate teams also win an award.
If you need another reason to register other than bobblehead trophies and supporting a good cause, how about free local beer? Port City is hosting a happy hour in support of the race on Sept. 1 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. If you have already registered for the race or register on site, you will receive a free 5 oz taster of any of their beers and the chance to win Port City swag.
