The Connection

When the leaves turn colors and the weather becomes crisp, Halloween soon follows. And that means it’s time for the Goblin Gallop. This year’s event, the 21st annual, is slated for Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

It’s a rollicking, fun-filled event that’s enjoyable for both the participants and the onlookers. Many of the runners and walkers, plus those cheering them on, wear Halloween costumes; and afterward, there are refreshments and a costume contest.

“But there’s more to it than that,” said event organizer George Quadrino. “It’s a family event with a band, a moonbounce, face painting and a 5K. Yet at the same time, the participants are helping families facing the challenges of having a child diagnosed with cancer.”

All proceeds from the event go to the John Quadrino Foundation to Benefit Children with Cancer. George Quadrino established it after his son John died of the disease in 1985 at age 7. And each year, money raised from the Goblin Gallop is used for numerous, small grants to help childhood cancer victims and their families.

Rain or shine, the race begins and ends in front of Coastal Flats restaurant. The 1K fun run starts at 8:30 a.m.; the 5K race, at 9 a.m.; and the 5K walk, at 9:10 a.m. Entry fees through Oct. 23 are $33 for the 5K run, $25 for the 5K walk and $18 for the 1K fun run. From Oct. 24 on, those fees, respectively, are $35, $30 and $22.

Entrants should add $5 to each amount if they’d like a long-sleeved, rather than a short-sleeved, T-shirt. Register at www.goblingallop.org. Online registration will remain open until race time.

People may run individually or as part of 5K teams competing against each other. Participants may be on a coed team of at least four people; the categories are organizations, families and friends. The top team in each category will receive fun awards for best team costume, fastest team – adding up the four members’ times, and for the team with the most members registered before packet pickup on Oct. 24.

This year’s packet pickup is at Potomac River Running, 11895 Grand Commons Ave. in Fairfax Corner. Hours are Oct. 24, from noon-7 p.m., and Oct. 25, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. On race day, it’s at the registration table, 7-8:15 a.m.

Fairfax Station’s Dixon Hemphill is the race director; and because of its headline sponsor, the race’s official name is the Valvoline Instant Oil Change Goblin Gallop. Other main sponsors include Don Beyer Volvo, the Shaffer Charitable Foundation and the law firm of Butzel Long.

“We raised a little over $30,000 last year,” said Quadrino. “It allowed us to help 250 families.” About 1,400 people participated in last year’s Goblin Gallop. Usually, hundreds of people sign up on race day and, said Quadrino, “Computer registration only takes a moment.”

The course is USATF-certified, and prizes valued at $150, $100 and $50 are awarded to the top three, overall, male and female finishers. Prizes are also given to the top three overall finishers in various age categories, including a masters group for those over 40. Every child participating will get a runner’s medal.

All competitors will receive a free, commemorative, glow-in-the-dark T-shirt. Decorated with the words, “Goblin Gallop,” in white, the shirts are blue and feature a scene of a headless horseman and ghosts in a haunted forest.

No dogs or headphones are allowed in the 5K events, but strollers are welcome in both the running and walking events. A computer chip in the runners’ numbers will register their starting and finishing times.

The route’s challenging, but fairly flat, with few hills and all right turns. Potomac River Running will handle scoring and results, and the awards ceremony will be on the stage in front of Coastal Flats. Results will be posted that afternoon at at goblingallop.org and https://potomacriverrunning.com/.

After the race, the band Shaky Ground will perform classic rock on the stage, costumes will be judged and awarded prizes, and participants will enjoy hot dogs, popcorn, breakfast bars, fruit, cookies and beverages.

In addition, more than $3,000 in door prizes will be given away. Most are donated by local merchants and include Redskins tickets, restaurant meals and gift certificates at running stores. Glory Days Grill is the largest prize-contributor, donating $1,000 worth of goodies.

Because of the Goblin Gallop, the John Quadrino Foundation is able to make more than 250 grants per year, totaling about $75,000. The recipient families are referred by pediatric social workers at Inova Fairfax and Children’s hospitals, and the grants are given directly to these families.

Because medical bills can be overwhelming, parents of seriously ill children often need help with rent, utility bills or auto repairs. Often, one parent must quit a job to stay home and take care of the child. And a family with no prior financial problems suddenly finds itself in dire straits. That’s where the foundation comes in.

“We buy school clothes, help with emergency shelter, buy air-conditioning units for children’s rooms and pay the bills to have people’s lights turned back on,” said Quadrino. “Last year we also bought a specialized bicycle for a 5-year-old boy with special needs. We also buy a fair number of generators. When kids are home on a ventilator, it provides backup electricity if the power goes out.”

Hoping for a good turnout for this year’s Goblin Gallop, he said, “What’s neat about it is that, while people are enjoying themselves, they’re also helping a worthy cause.”

To donate to the organization, send checks payable to The John Quadrino Foundation to P.O. Box 4614, Falls Church, VA 22044. Contributions are tax-deductible and may also be made via the Combined Federal Campaign by designating CFC No. 59426, or via the United Way by selecting No.

8931.