July 11, 2002
High expectations, high temperatures and high humidity posed challenges to the second-ever Cure Autism Now 5-Kilometer Race and 1-Mile Fun Run.
On a day when area temperatures reached 100, more than 1,200 runners and walkers participated in the event that began and ended by the Potomac Library on Thursday, July 4.
The race capped a multi-event fundraising effort for Cure Autism Now that included "A Night of Stars… A Race of Dreams." The Night of Stars was a fundraiser held at Sargent and Eunice Shriver's house on Saturday, June 29.
"It was a great success," said event organizer Susan Pereles, of Potomac, who estimated that the events raised over $125,000.
Pereles began organizing the race and fun walk in October 2000, after her nephew, Shant Ayanian was diagnosed with autism. Defying predictions that she would be lucky to break even with such an event, Pereles helped raise over $105,000 with the first July 4 Cure Autism Now 5K/1K last year.
For more on the race, and more photos, see page 18.
For information on Cure Autism Now, see www.cureautismnow.org.
<1b>— By Alex Scofield