Register Now for Teddy Bear 5K/1K Walk Run

A free Teddy Bear will be awarded to the first 100 runners or walkers to finish the Second AnnualTeddy Bear 5K & 1K Fun Walk/Run on Sunday, Sept. 28, on the scenic W&OD Trail starting in the heart of Falls Church at 4 p.m., according to a news release from organizers.

This year, a fun fair starting at 2 p.m. will offer games for kids, a balloon artist, face painting, vendors and a silent auction of donated and created items at 400 N. Oak St., outside the American Legion Building, the starting and finishing point of the race.

Proceeds will support the Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center, a nonprofit, full-time, early childhood education program designed to give young children from low-income, working families a safe, a supportive environment where they can build essential skills to be ready for kindergarten and successful in life.

Runners and walkers registered by Sept. 8 are guaranteed a T-shirt featuring the colorful new race emblem featuring a boy and his teddy bear.Registration through Aug. 31 is $25 for 5K runners and $10 for 1K walkers/runners athttps://runsignup.com/TeddyBear5K. Strollers are welcome. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Race timing will be provided by RaceDC Timing using Chronotrack Live computerized timing for immediate results. Details are at the Children’s Center website,www.fcmlcc.org or by calling (703) 534-4907.

The event is supported by the following organizations: Presenting Sponsor: Morgan Stanley; Friendship Sponsors: ReedSmith, LLC, and Ric and Jean Edelman; Playmate Sponsors:Conway & Pannel LLC, Senior Housing Analytics, Macy’s, Net ESolutions Corporation, Powell Piper Radomsky, PLLC; Discovery Sponsors: Don Beyer Volvo-Kia, Hyphen Group, Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, and Road Runner Sports; and Safety Patrol Sponsors:Alliance Financial Partners-UBS, and Chain Bridge Bank.

Founded in 1968, the Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center, located in Lemon Road Elementary School at 7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, is a licensed nonprofit, early educational program accredited by NAEYC and rated 4-Stars in the Virginia Star Quality Initiative.

PHOTO from last year’s event, courtesy of organizers