Kick off your 4th of July with a 5k bang! Join us for the 7th annual Firecracker 5K for the Troops presented by Leidos!

Kick off your 4th of July with a 5k bang! Join us for the 7th annual Firecracker 5K for the Troops presented by Leidos!

This is a wonderful opportunity to give thanks and show your support to our local military members and their families. Enjoy live music and showing off your Patriotism by waving American flags! Come out and root for your favorite military branch in the “Battle of the Branches” competition! Which Military branch runs the Metro area? Potomac River Running will make a donation on behalf of the branch with the most runners registered for the Firecracker 5K for the Troops presented by Leidos to the USO Metro.

REGISTER: http://www.prraces.com/firecracker/

WHEN: Monday, July 4, 2016, 8 a.m.

WHERE: Reston Town Center, 11911 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA 20190 (Potomac River Running Store)

NOTE: For the safety for all participants there are no strollers or dogs allowed on the race course. For any event on a public school property no animals are permitted, per county policy.

SWAG: Pre-registered runners will receive a 2016 Firecracker 5K for the Troops presented by Leidos technical race T-shirts. Please note that T-shirts are not guaranteed to late registrants or race day registrants.

BATTLE OF THE BRANCHES: When you register, make sure to indicate the branch of service that you or your family members are affiliated with. This battle is not just for bragging rights! Potomac River Running will make a financial donation to USO-Metro in honor of the winning branch!

FREE Tot Dash: The fun run will be a couple hundred yards long on Market Street at 8:50 am following the 5k finish. Sign up will be morning of at the finish line area. All finishers will receive a bib and medal!

5k TIME LIMIT: There is a 60 minute time limit for the 5k – this means one must maintain ~19 minute miles. The course is not stroller-friendly.

LIVE MUSIC & FOOD: Let the celebration last all morning with live music and enjoy some delicious post-race refreshments!

AWESOME AWARDS: Just announced: The top male and female finisher will receive 2 United Airline vouchers $700 value each (transportation provided by United Airlines-restrictions apply) There will be cash awards for the top 3 overall male and female finishers ($300, $200, $100) as well as for the top master runners ($100) and awards for the top 3 in each age group: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75 & over.

There will also be awards for the top 3 fastest teams; fastest four members at least one of the opposite sex.

NOTE: All team registrants must be pre-registered. There will be no additions to teams allowed after on line registration closes.

FREE PHOTOS: FREE high resolution race photos will be available for download from the Potomac River Running Flickr page. Keep an eye out for our on-course/finish line photographer and be prepared to strike a pose! We will send an email notifying you when the pictures are ready to be shared.

TIMING: This race will be timed by Commonwealth Race Management and will be electronically timed using the ChronoTrack B disposable tag system. Full results will be posted following the race on www.prraces.com and the =PR= Race Series Facebook page.

*Please note: You must pick up your packet at one of the designated times. Packets will not be mailed or reserved for a participant after the race. In addition, awards must be claimed within two weeks of the conclusion of a race.

Net proceeds from this event will support the many programs and services that the USO of Metropolitan Washington provides to serve our local troops and their families.

About USO of Metropolitan Washington: USO-Metro is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress, and dedicated to “Serving those who serve, and their families” in Washington D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. It is through the generous financial support of individuals and organizations in the local community that USO-Metro is able to fulfill its mission. With the help of nearly 5,000 devoted volunteers, USO-Metro provides programs and services for active duty troops and their families at area military hospitals; through its Mobile USO program; at five USO Centers, four USO airport lounges and through Operation USO Care Package. For more information please visit www.usometro.org or “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter by searching USO-MetroDC.

REGISTER: http://www.prraces.com/firecracker/