<bt>When the starting pistol sounds at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, participants will take their first stride in the 19th annual Fair Lakes 8K and 2K Fun Run/Walk.
Last year's race attracted a total of 1,346 people — 1,024 in the 8K and 322 in the 2K — and raised roughly $50,000 for the National Marrow Donor Program, according to race volunteer Zack David. The Peterson Cos. has chosen to donate this year's proceeds to the Inova Kellar Center, a local nonprofit organization that has provided mental health and substance abuse treatment for the community since 1992.
"The Kellar Center is a phenomenal outfit," said Fair Lakes League President Rick Peterson of Peterson Cos., "This local group [is building] a new facility to help teens, and [sponsoring the Kellar Center] is a tremendous opportunity to benefit this local group."
The Kellar Center is currently the only nonprofit comprehensive mental health center in Northern Virginia and supports children, teenagers and parents from Alexandria, Loudoun and Fairfax counties. The Kellar center was honored to be selected as beneficiary of the Fair Lakes 8K proceeds.
"We are very grateful because the 8K proceeds will assist in a capital campaign that will raise funds for our new building," said Dr. Rick Leichtweis, director of the Kellar Center.
The Sept. 11 race will mark the 19th consecutive year that the Peterson Cos. has sponsored the Fair Lakes 8K.
"The 8K is part of the fabric of the Fair Lakes community where people come together for a worthy cause," said Peterson, speaking about the camaraderie created by the annual event. "Fair Lakes is in a unique spot with definable geography where people can work, play and reside in one area."
AN AWARD CEREMONY will be held following the race, and the entire prize inventory can be found at the "Prize List" section online at www.fairlakes8k.com. Spectators are eligible to win rewards and are encouraged to come and show their support.
"This couldn't happen without the work of dedicated volunteers," said Peterson. "[Our goal] is to get people to come out and have fun."
The race, which is sponsored by the Peterson Companies, will begin and end at 12500 Fair Lakes Circle, between Fairfax County and Fair Lakes parkways in Fairfax. Registration is $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, and the race fee is tax deductible. Register online at www.fairlakes8k.com, and for more information call 703-631-7571. Registration and packet pick-up will be at the Fair Lakes One building, 12500 Fair Lakes Circle Fairfax, on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sept. 11 between 7 and 8 a.m.