New and exciting things are in store for the George Washington Birthday Celebration Parade this Monday, Feb. 15.
As of Jan. 26, Alexandria City Council has approved the Inaugural "Washington Win Sprint" One-Mile Dash, a pre-parade race to be held on the new parade route. Proposed by GW parade committee member Kathy Kelly, the fun run may get 200-300 runners. This USATF-certified course, "tag timed" by Pacers Events Inc., will begin at 12:30 p.m., a half hour before the parade. Expect this miler to be an exciting all-out sprint to the finish, ending at the Parade Reviewing Stand on Royal Street at its intersection with King Street. The top three male and female finishers will receive $200 (1st place), $150 (2nd place), and $75 (3rd place), to be awarded at the Parade Reception afterwards. Online entries will be accepted up to midnight on Saturday, Feb. 13.
Joeseph Shumard, Chair of the GW Birthday Celebration Parade, and parade committee members work tirelessly 10 months out of the year to bring Alexandria residents and visitors a memory-making event.
"I love it! It's a lot of fun, and a good contributor to the city. I get to meet wonderful people and it's a pleasure to do," said Shumard. One of the issues ironed out by Shumard and the parade committee has been a new parade route. Moving the route to its end point on S. Royal Street, the committee members were able to reduce the parade footprint, and save at least $14,000 in security fees, while preserving the size, scope, and viewing enjoyment of the celebration.
To register for the "Washington Win Sprint," go to www. washingtonbirthday.net.