Local runners will be tying up their laces this weekend for a race to benefit students hoping to break the cycle of poverty.
The fourth annual Run for the Dream half marathon, 8k and kids fun run will be Saturday and Sunday.
The races benefit An Achievable Dream, a nonprofit organization that operates public schools dedicated to the belief that children, no matter their socioeconomic background, can learn and succeed. Students learn ethics in addition to academics, with two schools currently operating in Newport News that serve children from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Run for the Dream also supports wounded warriors with Paralyzed Veterans Racing, a team of competitive para-cyclists within the Paralyzed Veterans of America organization. With representation from all branches of military service, the paralyzed veterans those with other disabilities participate in recreational activities like handcycling and wheelchair racing.
This weekend’s races both step off from the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center and finish at the College of William & Mary’s Zable Stadium. The fun run starts and finishes at Zable Stadium.
The Fit to Run, Fit to Dream 8k starts at 7 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Kids Fun Run – for children ages 14 and under – at 10 a.m. The Run for the Dream Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m. Sunday.
The City of Williamsburg has invited residents to cheer on participants, and race organizers are looking for volunteers to man Cheer Zones and rally in support of runners. Email [email protected] to sign up for a designated Cheer Zone.
Click here to see route information for each race, as well as expected traffic delays and closures.
Once the medals are earned, there will be a post-race celebration after each race on the College’s Sunken Garden. There will be food and live music at the bash.
For those looking to stock up before the races, the Race Expo is open to the public from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Williamsburg Woodlands Conference Center.
Registration will be available on race day. For more information, visit the Run for the Dream website.
