Ready to take off: The starting line at a previous Paul VI Runfest 5K race. Photo Courtesy of Eileen Kiley
After a two-year hiatus, the Paul VI Catholic High School (PVI) Runfest 5K will return Sunday, Sept. 16, at 8 a.m., to the City of Fairfax. Previously run over 10 consecutive years, it was last held in fall 2009.
With strong support from the community, this year’s race will raise funds for PVI’s nationally recognized Options Program for students with intellectual disabilities. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the PVI Cross Country programs.
The certified 5K course is a two-loop route with a few gentle hills; it starts and finishes in the PVI parking lot behind the school at 10675 Fairfax Blvd. All race registrations, except for on race day, may be submitted online at http://tinyurl.com/pvirunfest2012.
The entry fee for students and faculty is $15; all others are $25. The race-day fee is $35 for everyone. Full race details, including T-shirt and packet-pickup locations, are at the Runfest website above; or contact Race Chairman Jim Turcol at crosscountry7@verizon.net.
"We are very grateful to the many local businesses that have given their support through cash or in-kind donations," said Sponsorship Chairman Deirdre Kvartunas. "We still have more to do in order to defray costs and offer great prizes."
An excited team of volunteers has been working hard to make the 11th Runfest a race to remember, with traditional top-finisher and age-group prizes, as well as many random prize drawings.
"It’s great that the race has returned to PVI," said Turcol. "Many participants and volunteers have mentioned that they missed it and asked when it would be held again."