Anthem Great Pumpkin 5k Announces Registration Opening

Anthem Great Pumpkin 5k Announces Registration Opening

Addition of a Costumed Mile Race Expected to Draw Bigger Crowds and Bring a New Feel to the Event 

Washington, D.C. – The fourth annual Anthem Great Pumpkin 5k is scheduled for Saturday, October 6^th, 2012 at 8:30 AM and will once again take place in the heart of Reston Town Center.  The event is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and is produced by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance.  Attracting an estimated 6,000 participants, the Anthem Great Pumpkin 5k is open to participants of all fitness levels and ages.

The Pumpkin Smash Mile has been announced as a new event this year.  The event was designed as a non-timed, mile-long party where costumes are both encouraged and rewarded and having fun is the only mandatory requirement. Participants will finish in the center of one of the largest Oktoberfest Celebrations in the region, hosted by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

Participants and spectators will also be able to attend the Scrambled Legs Breakfast and enjoy other Oktoberfest savories during the day-long celebration.  Combined race registration and food & beverage tickets are now available at considerable cost savings.

“The goal of the Sports Alliance is to increase the quality of life for our residents through sports activities, while also strengthening our sense of community in this region,” says Robert T. Sweeney, President of the Greater Washington Sport Alliance.  “With the addition of a one-mile event, we are making fitness goals more attainable to the general public, while remembering that having fun is another important characteristic that we should strive to have in each of our lives.”

The popular Kids Pumpkin Dash event will also be held for all children under the age of 10.  The dash gives children an opportunity to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes and sprint to the finish.  The dash is between 100-400 yards and each child receives a ribbon and a free pumpkin for the decorating contest. Registration is open to the first 1,000 registrants.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the YMCA of Fairfax County Reston, which will ensure that local children have an opportunity to attend summer camp.  Any participant who commits to raising an additional $100 for the YMCA summer camp program through the Champions for Kids Fund-Racing program will receive premium race benefits.

To register for the Anthem Great Pumpkin 5k, Pumpkin Smash Mile, Kids Pumpkin Dash or to purchase tickets for the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest visit www.TheGreatPumpkin5k.com.

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About Greater Washington Sports Alliance: 
The Greater Washington Sports Alliance creates economic stimulus and civic pride by initiating and supporting the successful execution of sporting events in Greater Washington. For more information, please visit:www.gwsportsalliance.com

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia:

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. (serving Virginia excluding the city of Fairfax, the town of Vienna and the area east of State Route 123.). Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its affiliated HMOs, HealthKeepers, Inc., Peninsula Health Care, Inc. and Priority Health Care, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia is available at www.anthem.com.