Glowing for a Cause: Community Supports Bright Futures
What better way to spend a warm summer Friday night than prepping for a glow run! On Friday, August 28, more than 400 runners and dozens of volunteers gathered at Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School for the third annual Frederick County Parks and Rec Run at the Top Glow All Out 5K!
Participants were ready with glow necklaces, neon glow face paint, and even light-up costumes. The excitement went far beyond the festive gear, though. Everyone knew they were there to help clear a path for local students in need. The race proudly benefited Bright Futures, a program dedicated to connecting community resources to children in Frederick County and Winchester City public schools to ensure they have the food, supplies, and support necessary to succeed in school.
The evening started with a Tot Trot, giving the littlest runners a chance to participate in the evening's events. Then the runners gathered at the starting line, and the race was off. The course ran around the grounds of Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School and Evendale Elementary School. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office was on hand to close the streets to allow the runners to navigate the course safely.
Music blasted to keep the runners' spirits high and entertain the spectators as they waited for their friends and family to cross the finish line. As some ran and some walked across the finish line, energetic spectators cheered.
Bright Futures Program Coordinator Elise Stine-Dolinar said, "The Glow All Out 5k is an amazing event for Bright Futures. It's wonderful to see our community champions come out to celebrate our work and go the extra mile to support Bright Futures. Through our partnership with Frederick County Parks and Rec, and the generosity of more than 400 runners and 30 volunteers, we hope to exceed last year's fundraising total of $5,000! The money we raise at this event provides critical resources for our students and makes our mission possible."
It takes a community to create a successful event like this one. The Glow All Out 5K was sponsored by:
- Valley Health
- Shenandoah Valley Runners
- Active Health Chiropractic
- NVB Contracting
- CDJ Weddings and Events
- Blue Ridge Agents Insurance
- The Local
The Glow All Out 5K began with the littlest runners darting down the track as part of the Tot Trot.
The glow-in-the-dark medals that runners received after finishing the Glow All Out 5K.
A young runner and his canine running partner dressed in a glowing costume before the Glow All Out 5K.
More than 400 runners lined up as it started to get dark to participate in the Glow All Out 5K Supporting Bright Futures.
Runners ran through a lit arch with sparks flying as they started the course of the Glow All Out 5K.
Some of the first finishers of the Glow All Out 5K completed the course back at the start under a lighted arch and sparks to celebrate.