Continuing a tradition that has become a hit with adults and children alike, Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury is hosting its third annual “Run For Your Life” 5K race and “Trick and Trot” Monster Mile on Saturday, October 11. The race and fun walk will take place on the RWC campus at 132 Lancaster Drive in Irvington. Events begin at 9:00 a.m. The 5K course winds through the RWC’s beautiful 165-acre wooded campus. The shorter one-mile course is entirely on paved paths and is wheelchair accessible.
RWC began hosting the race and walk in 2012 as a means of enhancing awareness of the importance of wellness. Proceeds go toward the expansion of RWC’s Wellness Program.
Amy Lewis, RWC’s Coordinator of Resident Program Development and one of the organizers of the race/walk, says that participants in the event and residents at RWC have expressed delight at how much fun everyone seems to have. “The run/walk is part of our Mind & Muscle series, which we designed to place the spotlight on total wellness, something RWC has been encouraging among residents for nearly a decade,” she says.
Jonathan Smith, RWC’s Wellness Coordinator, says that the run/walk complements the extensive wellness program that residents and many in the surrounding community enjoy all year long. “We have developed a number of activities designed to meet the needs of seniors, including group exercise classes, lectures on healthy lifestyles and specialized programs for those with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. We are constantly looking for ways to involve members of the local community in on-campus activities where they can interact with our residents and benefit from the variety of programs we offer,” he says.
The RWC campus is the perfect place for outdoor activities, and participants will get to see just why. Racers and walkers are encouraged to arrive early and stay after the event to take advantage of the food and merriment available at RWC’s Chesapeake Center on race day.
“Since our event is being held close to Halloween, we’re inviting a special visitor straight from the fictional village of Sleepy Hollow, site of Ichabod Crane’s ghastly encounter with the Headless Horseman in Washington Irving’s classic tale,” Lewis says.
Because parking is limited, free shuttle service will be available from the White Stone Methodist Church parking lot at 118 Methodist Church Road in White Stone.
Registration for both the race and walk is now open. Additional details about costs and a registration form are available on the RWC web site: http://www.embracelifeatrwc.org/5k.php. Directions to RWC can be found by going to the RWC Home Page, http://www.embracelifeatrwc.org and clicking on the “Location” button at the top of the page.
