Before the 5K race and fun run was held, there was a warm up session held with Virginia state senator Chap Petersen (D-34), Krissy Smith, and ABC7/WJLA-TV anchor Rebecca Cooper. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
“It was a fun race,” said Nick Abbott, “It brought me back to my high school days of cross country.” On the morning of Saturday, April 26 Abbott and other participants of the second annual Champions4Children 5K Race and Fun Run assembled at Lake Fairfax Park, in Reston. The event was a fundraiser for SafeSpot, a Children’s Advocacy Center, and nonprofit that will provide direct services to child victims of sexual and physical abuse in Fairfax County. The organization opened doors to their office in Fairfax on April 2.
Approximately 315 persons registered for the race event, which also had corporate and individual sponsors. Some of the major sponsors included ASG Security, Capital One Bank, Colliers International, Willis of Maryland, ePlus Inc., Capital Source, and Todd and Michelle Kingsley. “We want a smiling face on every kid,” said Rebecca Cooper of WJLA/ABC. Cooper has been a long time supporter of the fight against child abuse, and was Grand Marshal for this year’s Champions4Children Race.
Participants in the race enjoyed sunny, mild weather. “It is a beautiful park,” said co-chair of the race Michelle Kingley, a resident of Great Falls. The first to complete the 5K was Alex Haugh, a resident of Vienna. “It was a great race, a little hilly but a great workout,” said Haugh. The second to finish was Kim Fagen, also a resident of Vienna. “It is my first time running this course, it was fun,” said Fagen.
To learn more about SafeSport Children’s Advocacy Center, visit safespotfairfax.org.