Update: George Washington Parkway Classic Is On

Editor's Note: This story was updated Apr. 9, 7:30 a.m. to reflect that Pacers has declared the race is on. See you Sunday!

UPDATE: Pacers has announced that the George Washington Parkway Classic will be run Sunday, Apr. 10.

If the federal government had shut down, the 27th running of the George Washington Parkway Classic would have been postponed to May 1.

The Parkway Classic is run primarily on roads overseen by the National Park Service, an agency that is affected by a shut down.

Race Director Kathy Dalby told Patch that Pacers, which hosts the Apr. 10 run, has been in close contact with senators, congressmen and the National Park Service “who have all been wonderful” in helping out. 

Pacers received a note from the office of Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., on Thursday stating that the race would not be allowed permission to take place if the government is shut down. Pacers had sought an exemption.

Although park police will be on duty regardless of a shut down as they are considered "essential personnel," the race's permit to operate would have been revoked.

Darby said Moran's office told her that all "visitor activities," which includes special events, will have their permits revoked if the government closes, making it illegal to host the race.

She is updating the race's status on Pacers website.

About 7,000 people run the race with the help of up to 400 volunteers. There are also 30 vendors on standby waiting to hear if the race is on.

Dalby said about 80 percent of the race is run on Park Service lands with the remainder going through the City of Alexandria. The finish line and race festival is at Old Town Alexandria’s Oronoco Bay Park.