Loudoun Lyme Race Breaks Records
June 13, 2016
On May 15th, more than 1,500 runners and walkers from 15 states, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia participated in the Sixth Annual Loudoun Lyme 10K/5K/1K, making it the largest race for Lyme disease awareness and funding in America.
The race at Brambleton Town Center in Ashburn, Virginia netted close to $80,000, which will go to crucial Lyme disease research and prevention and educational programs.
“We are so grateful to all the sponsors, vendors, participants and Lyme warriors who came out to support a cure for a disease that is so prevalent in Virginia,” said National Capital Lyme Disease Association’s (NatCapLyme) Executive Director Monte Skall. “Each year, more and more people are contracting Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and each year, more and more people are supporting their neighbors, friends and community by participating in this race. The Lyme community will forever be indebted to the people at DryHome Roofing and Siding for their tremendous support and commitment to helping those suffering from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.”
The Loudoun Lyme Run is the brainchild of DryHome Roofing and Siding’s President, Steve Gotschi. Six years ago, Steve approached NatCapLyme wanting to help raise money and awareness for Lyme disease, and the rest as they say, is history.
“I want to thank all the race sponsors, volunteers, and participants for their unwavering support of those suffering from Lyme disease,” said Gotschi. “Our community truly comes together each year to give hope and encouragement, and fund research and education. This year’s race was a great success, and demonstrates the broadening concern about Lyme disease throughout the region.”
For the first time, the race had its first “Ruby” sponsor, The Grainger Foundation, which donated $5,000 for Lyme disease education.
U.S. Representative Barbara Comstock, a member of the Congressional Lyme Disease Caucus, presented a framed copy of her remarks given on the floor of the House of Representatives about NatCapLyme, praising our work to defeat an illness which affects so many in community. Her remarks can be viewed here:
https://www.congress.gov/crec/2016/05/13/CREC-2016-05-13-pt1-PgE699-2.pdf
Local officials also attending were Leesburg Mayor David Butler, Blue Ridge Supervisor Tony Buffington Jr. and Catoctin District Supervisor Geary Higgins. We thank them all for supporting the Lyme community.
Mark your calendar for next year’s Seventh Annual Loudoun Lyme Run May 7th!
