Arlington Academy of Hope Global Strides 5K
Oct. 6, 8 a.m.
This year’s theme may be “Run, Walk, or Wag!” but that only begins to explain what this event is all about. Yes, dogs, kids and walkers are welcome, but what makes this 5K unique is the mission of the charitable organization behind it: The Arlington Academy of Hope (AAH), which aims to improve the quality of education, healthcare, and community development in Uganda. AAH has already opened a primary school, Arlington Junior School, in Bumwalukani, Uganda, and provides financial support to the Matuwa Primary School—our own Tuckahoe Elementary’s sister school—there. The AAH Global Strides 5K got its start back in 2010, and this year will include a Children’s Fun Run, DJ and games. // Bluemont Park: 601 N. Manchester St., Arlington
Features: Walk-friendly; Kid-friendly; Dog-friendly
Stride & Ride Relay Virginia
Oct. 11- 12, 11 p.m., 4 a.m. & 5 a.m.
You read that time and date correctly—this one’s for the night owls. As part of the 911-mile Stride & Ride Relay that starts in Massachusetts and honors the lives lost in 9/11 and the war on terror, the first portion of the relay that passes through the Arlington area (Stage 61) will start at the Falls Church American Legion at 11 p.m. on Oct. 11 and run 4.8 miles to the American Legion at 3445 Washington Blvd., Arlington. From there, participants will break until 4 a.m. and head 2.1 miles to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Stage 62), the start of the last leg of the trip to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial (Stage 63) at 5 a.m. The event is organized by the nonprofit Give2Those, which provides financial assistance and support to active-duty service members, veterans, first responders, and their families. // American Legion Post 294: 400 N. Oak St., Falls Church
Features: Walk-friendly
Book it for the Books 5K
Oct. 12, 9 a.m.
In the soon-to-be spirit of Halloween—and that of a true bibliophile—Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia (RIF of NoVA) invites all participants of its third annual 5K race to come dressed as their favorite literary character. (Note, however, that Clifford the Big Red Dog will already be in attendance!) Shirts are limited to those who register before Sept. 26, but all children will get to go home with a participation medal and, of course, a new book. At the end of the day, that’s RIF of NoVA’s goal: to provide books for more than 20,000 students at 36 City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William schools. // Bluemont Park, 329 N. Manchester St., Arlington
Features: Walk-friendly; Kid-friendly