2010 New Balance Girls on the Run 5K a great success despite the extreme weather!

For those who participated in the last Girls on the Run Reindeer Romp 5K at Reston Town Center, it seemed like Déjà vu with the extreme weather.

In spite of never ending rain, the 2010 New Balance Girls on the Run 5K presented by Argon ST was a huge success. Over 6,000 GOTR Girls and their Buddy Runners braved the rain to complete the 3.1 mile course at the George Mason University campus in Fairfax. The staff had serious concerns during the pre-dawn hours on May 23rd when heavy rain was accompanied by lightening. Fortunately by the time the participants began to arrive at 6:30am the lightening had subsided and nothing remained but a heavy drizzle.

Thanks to our intrepid Race Director, Jeff Ruday for making it all happen again this season.

Undaunted by the weather, the Spring 2010 GOTR families poured into the George Mason University campus. Traffic was heavy due to the weather, so the staff decided to delay the start of the race to make sure everyone had time to get to the assembly area before starting the 5K.

Thanks to Abby Miller of StudioRock of Northern Virginia for an amazing rendition of the National Anthem to start the 5K.

The 5K was followed by a program featuring local elected officials and VIPs. Julie Carey of NBC4 served as Master of Ceremonies. Featured speakers included Dr. Alan G. Merten, President of George Mason University, Dr. David K. Wiggins, Director, School of Health, Recreation and Tourism, and the Honorable Jim Moran, U.S. House of Representatives. Following the program StudioRock of Northern Virginia performed to the delight of all who stayed in spite of the rain.

Thanks to StudioRock's Mark Campayno, Janet Miller and Mike Gillette for a memorable performance!

GOTR NOVA is very grateful to all the GOTR Coaches, the over 130 day of event volunteers and Volunteer Team Leaders who all performed admirably and professionally under very difficult conditions. Special thanks to Alexis Tressler, the Volunteer Coordination Team Leader, who worked tirelessly with the staff to insure that all of the event volunteers had a great experience. GOTR NOVA could not have done this event without the support of all the GOTR Coaches, event volunteers and Team Leaders.

Thanks goes also to George Mason University for being a great partner. Very special thanks goes to Samantha Kaizen of the Office of Event Management, Josh Cantor of the Office of Parking and Transportation, Lt. Willie Morton of the George Mason University Police Department and John Besanko, Assistant General Manager of the Patriot Center, and of course to President Merten for being such a gracious host.

The staff is already hard at work preparing for the next 5K event in the Fall. We are processing all of the feedback and suggestions received from volunteers, participants and others in order to continue to improve the event experience for the GOTR Girls and their Buddy Runners. See you again in December!