The race starting line at the "Ringing in Hope: A Salute to Our Troops" 5K, 10K and 1K. Matthew Clark, of Reston, won the 5K Memorial Day race. Photos courtesy of Chessie Photo
On a morning boasting beautiful weather and filled with numerous tributes to the nation, Reston resident Matthew Clark laced up to run in the "Ringing In Hope: A Salute to Our Troops" 5K, one of three races at the Brambleton, Va. event.
The races drew in nearly 1,600 runners and walkers to Brambleton Town Center, where members of the Junior ROTC program from Chantilly presented the colors, followed by the playing of the national anthem. The colorful sound of a large bell rang by former Washington Redskins wide receiver Darnerien McCants signaled the start of the 5K and 10K races. The bell was part of a larger display of the “Bells of the Fallen,” which honor American service men and women who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation New Dawn.
The event helped raised awareness and funding for charities, including The Fisher House Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project, Special Forces Track Club and Operation Gratitude. Clark came out in first place in the 5K for the men with a time of 17:30. The next Ringing In Hope event will be held in South Riding on Saturday, Sept. 14. The event, "Ringing In Hope: For the Sake of the Children," will benefit charities that offer services to children, including: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid Atlantic, Children’s National Medical Center, Paxton Campus, Autism Speaks and the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia.