October 9 through October 18, 2020
Show Your Community Spirit and Make Your Steps Count Toward a Good Cause
Friends of Reston (FOR) announces their 17th annual run and walk fundraiser for the Walker Nature Center will begin Friday, October 9 and end on Sunday, October 18. FOR has presented a Nature Center 5K every April since 2004 to provide financial support for the 72-acre Walker Nature Center located at 11450 Glade Drive in Reston, and the onsite Nature House which was built with the organization’s fundraising. This year’s event, postponed due to the pandemic, is now the Virtual Nature Center Walk-or-Run, organized to allow for more participation of all ages and abilities.
Runners and walkers can choose their selected route of 5K, or 10K, or just 1 mile, to complete the Virtual Nature Center Walk-or-Run at any time within the span of 10 days. While organizers recommend enjoying a walk or run on one of Reston’s beautiful pathways or trails, participants can complete their distance in any location, on any route, or even on a treadmill.
To reserve a commemorative T-shirt, participants must register online by Friday, September 25. Additional shirts will be distributed as supplies last. Registration for the Nature Center Virtual Walk-or-Run is open now through October 2 at Active.com. Proceeds from registration fees, $25 (13 years and older), and $15 (12 years and younger), will support facility enhancements, programs and projects at the Walker Nature Center. T-shirts and bibs for participants will be available for contactless pick-up on weekdays starting October 5 at Nature House.
As an extra perk, all who post their participation photos tagged with #WalkerRun2020 on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter will be eligible for prize drawings. Everyone is encouraged to follow @FriendsofReston on Facebook and Instagram. All children under the age of 13 will receive a free pass to attend a program at the Nature Center.
“Reston’s 55 miles of trails have received all the more use and appreciation since pandemic-distancing began in March,” said Carol Nahorniak, president of Friends of Reston. “This event is an excellent opportunity to put all those extra walks and runs toward a good cause.” Friends of Reston is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports Reston Association with funding for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes.
FOR is grateful for the support of Finish Line Sponsor CDW-G which made it possible to present the Virtual Nature Center Walk-or-Run this year. For information about sponsorships and prize donations email kshaw@reston.org or call 703-435-6510.
FOR welcomes donations for a variety of projects all year round, and contributions beyond event fees are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. Learn more at FriendsofReston.org.
About Friends of Reston
Friends of Reston (FOR) was established in 1999 as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a mission to support Reston Association with charitable, educational, and scientific activities. Projects include scholarships for Reston Camps, swimming, and tennis for children, the Reston Tree Fund, habitat restoration, watershed monitoring, RA facility enhancements, and election of the Official Bird of Reston. FOR’s flagship achievement is the $1.5M capital campaign for the design and construction of Nature House, the LEED Gold certified, environmental education building at the Walker Nature Center that opened in 2009. FOR was honored in 2016 with a Best of Reston award for Best Civic-Community Group. Donations to support the non-profit “in your own back yard” can be made all year round for a variety of projects. Get more information at FriendsofReston.org.
