10K road race was a runaway success

By The Daily Progress

Published: September 26, 2008

On Sept. 13, the annual 10K road race to support Special Olympics was held at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School. Long-time volunteer race director Carol Finch, ably assisted this year by Jay Wilderman and John Lloyd and the Special Olympics staff, welcomed a record number of runners and raised valuable funds for Special Olympics. 

On Labor Day weekend, volunteer race director Cynthia Lorenzoni once again organized the Charlottesville Women’s Four Miler at Foxfield and raised more than $300,000 to support breast cancer programs at the University of Virginia hospital. In the last two years alone the Four Miler has raised more than a half a million dollars!

I want to congratulate Carol and Cynthia, as well as all the other volunteer race directors and the Charlottesville Track Club members, who devote much time and effort all during the year to assist the many charitable organizations and agencies that sponsor the local races, walks and other events to raise much needed funds for their programs.

There are a growing number of races in our community, which may put participants in a quandary as to which events they can afford to support. I urge those who will participate to consider supporting those events that are organized to, and do, turn over all proceeds to charitable beneficiaries. With the economy being what it is, those groups’ need for support is greater than ever. You can also help by volunteering to help in those events.  Let’s continue the Charlottesville tradition of community support for those organizations that are dedicated to meeting the needs of those who need it the most.

David Murphy
Albemarle County