Ninth Annual Independence Day Race Continues Community Tradition
Click here for a photo gallery
Click here for a photo gallery
Low humidity and glorious blue skies welcomed about 2,000 runners and walkers this past Saturday July 4 for the ninth annual Autism Speaks 5K in Potomac, Md. Co-Chairs Sarah Barpoulis and Barbara Guterman joined Autism Speaks staffer Susan Pereles, who has served as race director since its inception, on-stage and reminded the crowd about the significance of their participation. Close to 1300 runners finished the 5K and officials estimate that 700
Race winner Gahmessa Megenssa of Washington, D.C. crosses the finish line.
walkers participated in the 1 mile walk this year. “This event is a community tradition now. People have come to expect it,” remarked Barpoulis.
During the pre-race warm-up, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), involved with the event for the past seven years, thanked the participants and commented on the tremendous growth of the event. Van Hollen also spoke about his support of funding for autism research on Capitol Hill. Topper Shutt, Chief Meteorologist for 9 NEWS NOW, spoke not only about the beautiful weather that he predicted, but about his relationship with friends who have a child with autism. Other elected officials participating in the festivities included State Senator Rob Garagiola (who ran the race as well), State Delegate Kirill Resnick (sponsor of Maryland autism legislation) and Montgomery Council Vice Chair Roger Berliner (who has a nephew with Asperger's Syndrome).
Just before the starting gun fired, Raeann Robisch (a rising freshman with autism at Urbana High School in Frederick, Md.) and two friends from the Frederick Childrens' Chorus wowed the crowd with their rendition of the national anthem.
Co-Chair Barbara Guterman hopes this year's event will surpass the $200,000 mark. “Checks and on-line donations are still coming in and we are encouraging teams and individuals to mail their contributions in by July 15. This event was a tremendous success due to a true team effort.”
“Run Anywhere” is a new and promising feature of the race. “It is a way to solve the problem that's long plagued the race,” Susan Pereles said. People who are interested in running to raise money for autism but cannot be in Potomac for the race can now register, get a shirt, and wear it with pride when they run their 5K anywhere in the world on July 4th. This year, a team of runners participated in Bethany Beach, Delaware and others ran in Boston, Long Island, Princeton, Oklahoma City, Aspen, San Diego, and Oregon. “We hope to have runners spanning the globe next year for our tenth anniversary,” said Pereles.
For more information and photos, or to lend your support through a donation, please visit www.Potomac5K.org.
During the pre-race warm-up, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), involved with the event for the past seven years, thanked the participants and commented on the tremendous growth of the event. Van Hollen also spoke about his support of funding for autism research on Capitol Hill. Topper Shutt, Chief Meteorologist for 9 NEWS NOW, spoke not only about the beautiful weather that he predicted, but about his relationship with friends who have a child with autism. Other elected officials participating in the festivities included State Senator Rob Garagiola (who ran the race as well), State Delegate Kirill Resnick (sponsor of Maryland autism legislation) and Montgomery Council Vice Chair Roger Berliner (who has a nephew with Asperger's Syndrome).
Just before the starting gun fired, Raeann Robisch (a rising freshman with autism at Urbana High School in Frederick, Md.) and two friends from the Frederick Childrens' Chorus wowed the crowd with their rendition of the national anthem.
Co-Chair Barbara Guterman hopes this year's event will surpass the $200,000 mark. “Checks and on-line donations are still coming in and we are encouraging teams and individuals to mail their contributions in by July 15. This event was a tremendous success due to a true team effort.”
“Run Anywhere” is a new and promising feature of the race. “It is a way to solve the problem that's long plagued the race,” Susan Pereles said. People who are interested in running to raise money for autism but cannot be in Potomac for the race can now register, get a shirt, and wear it with pride when they run their 5K anywhere in the world on July 4th. This year, a team of runners participated in Bethany Beach, Delaware and others ran in Boston, Long Island, Princeton, Oklahoma City, Aspen, San Diego, and Oregon. “We hope to have runners spanning the globe next year for our tenth anniversary,” said Pereles.
For more information and photos, or to lend your support through a donation, please visit www.Potomac5K.org.
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