Letter to Editor: Cougar Literacy Run Enormous Success

The 7th Annual Cougar Literacy Run on May 5, 2012 was an enormous success. At 7:59 a.m. we began our 5K with our largest amount of 5K participants (92 this year up from 75 last year).

After awards and raffles (I gave away over $800 to The Running Store in Gainesville, and $200 to Dick's Sporting Goods), we began kids' registration and Zumba on stage with Erin McGrane.

At 10 a.m., the one mile kids' run began for our students and families of Manassas Park. Kids who met reading goals and attended the event earned a free t-shirt.

After the run, we highlighted a hiphop dance lesson with Charles Ewell.  

Over $1,700 was raised on Saturday for Literacy development for grades pre-k through fifth grade at Manassas Park. 

Fourteen community partners supported our Health and Wellness Fair(from 9-12) with health screenings, Child ID cards from the Police Department, freebies, portion plates, toothbrushes, etc.

Railroad Dental Associates and the Manassas Park PTO were our largest sponsors this year. With the help of Manassas Park staff members  Kayleigh Zinkham, Nick Brennfleck, and Joe Portelli, this year was amazing!

The 5K over 18 Male winner was Jeff Geraghty with a time of 17:02 Under 18 Male winner was Matthew Thatcher with a time of 17:09 Over 18 Female winner was Katie McDade with a time of 22:37 Under 18 Female winner was Lexi Swanson with a time of 22:15

Attached is a photo of the 4 5K winners and a photo of the start of the kids' run. Our best estimate for the kids' run would be over 500 participants.

Thanks again--
Audrey Baldwin