Dulles Greenway's Run The Greenway Adds Wheelchair Medals

ASHBURN, VA — Run the Greenway, a race on the Dulles Greenway toll road to benefit local nonprofits, is adding medals and prizes for wheelchair participants.

The race started offering a wheelchair participation option two years ago after the Arc of Loudoun worked with the Dulles Greenway toll road operator. This year's Run the Greenway will happen on Saturday, May 4 and include a new Roll 5K category with medals and prizes along with the regular 5K, 10K, Kids Fun Run and virtual option.

"We’re thrilled to partner with The Arc of Loudoun to make Run The Greenway race accessible for individuals with disabilities," said Terry Hoffman, Dulles Greenway's public and customer relations manager. "Our annual race is inclusive for all Northern Virginia athletes, and we look forward to providing a welcoming and accessible venue for all our participates to display their skills."

The new Roll 5K category includes medals and gift cards to PR Run & Walk for first, second and third place overall finishers. The Arc of Loudoun's Ability Fitness Center has competitors who use assistive technology like wheelchairs to finish the race. Race management company Potomac River Races added the wheelchair category to its timekeeping.

Ability Fitness Center's Anthony Ringenberg was the first wheelchair finisher in both years of Run, Walk or Roll the Greenway. This time, he has a chance at a gold medal.

"It’s like working through the suck, and getting to the end and feeling the burn, and knowing that hey, I did it," said Ringenberg. "And also being number one. That’s a nice thing."

On this year's race, he adds, "If we had more people, there might be someone out there who can beat me. Might be."

Another Ability Fitness Center participant is M.J. Weier, who was a competitive cyclist before a spinal injury.

"One of the reasons I like competition and this particular event is that it gives me something to train for," said Weier. "Rather than just going and doing it just to get exercise, it gives me a reason to do it, it gives me a goal to try and improve my time."

Last year, Lindsay Roberts used a wheelchair throughout the race but stood up and walked across the finish line, drawing cheers from spectators.

"My goal for this year is to walk more than just the finish line," said Roberts. "Assisted—I still use a cane—but one day, I’m going to be able to drop it and just walk it, no problem."

A portion of Dulles Greenway is closed for the race. Run the Greenway raises money for local nonprofits, including Arc of Loudoun. Other participating nonprofits are Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Dulles South Food Pantry, Step Sisters, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention National Capital Area, Loudoun Cares, Ashburn Volunteer Fire Rescue Department, All Ages Read Together, The Salvation Army Loudoun County, Friends of Homeless Animals, Great Falls Reston Soccer Club, Loudoun Free Clinic, Fairfax CASA, Dulles South Soup Kitchen and CJ3 Foundation.

"Since we partnered to create Run, Walk or Roll the Greenway two years ago, the race has been more than just a fundraiser for our clients, staff and families," said Lisa Kimball, CEO of the Arc of Loudoun. "It brings out that same indomitable spirit that our staff and clients bring to work and school every day. That’s part of building a lifetime of opportunities and a just, equitable world for people with disabilities."