Leonardtown, MD – The annual big dash through Leonardtown is set for Saturday, April 8. The will be the 22nd Run/Fun Walk for Hospice in St. Mary’s County. The event is a combination 10 kilometer (K)/5K race, in addition to enjoying a vigorous traversing of the beautiful residential and rural locations of Leonardtown, runners and walkers have a huge buffet waiting for them at the finish line.
“This event is Hospice of St. Mary’s largest fundraiser,” said race director Jim Dicus. “To date the event has brought in an estimated $750,000 for hospice care. In addition to bringing in much-needed funding, the event elevates awareness of the hospice mission of providing comfort and care to the terminally ill and their families, and bereavement support to love ones left behind.”
The race begins and ends at the St. Mary’s County Governmental Center on Route 245 in Leonardtown. The starting time is 8:30 a.m. As is the tradition, the race organizers pay tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces, a major part of the community in general and the Run for Hospice in particular. The Defender’s Cup is awarded to the team of runners participating in the 5K race with the best average finishing time. “This 5K run team trophy competition is open to teams comprised of either active/retired and/or reserve/National Guard Duty Military personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard); Department of Defense (DoD) civil servants, defense contractor employees and immediate family members who are amateur runners,” the event web site stated.
The teams must designate a captain who should contact the Defender’s Cup coordinator to register their team for the event. The Defender’s Cup, which is sponsored by various defense contractors, will this year be dedicated to all Vietnam veterans.
Regarding the post-race brunch, Dicus stated the repast has become “world-famous.” Whereas many running events serve bagels and fruit, the Run for Hospice also features Southern Maryland stuffed ham sandwiches, barbeque sandwiches, gourmet hot dogs, soups salads and a whole lot more. Dicus said the Washington Running Report raved about the post-race food, stating, “the brunch alone sets the event apart from any other running event in the Washington, DC region.”
The money raised at the race will be used to support the programs of Hospice of St. Mary’s. The programs are available to all St. Mary’s County residents. The organization also runs the Hospice House of St. Mary’s in Callaway.
“I am very passionate about this event because as a patient-care volunteer I have seen first-hand how important hospice is to the patients and families faced with death and dying,” Dicus said.
For more information about Run for Hospice visit the event web site
Visit Hospice of St. Mary’s web site for more information about the organization.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com