LAKE RIDGE, Va. — The Lake Ridge RidgeRunners are hoping to set a record tonight: to have more people than ever before show up for a run held by their club.
More than 50 people are expected to gather at Lake Ridge Elementary School on Hedges Run Drive at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and is open to anyone â from beginning runners to more experienced athletes.
For RidgeRunners President Stephanie Dupal-Dumartin, tonightâs event will be a culmination of her work over the past two years, breathing new life into a club that dates back more than 30.
Dupal-Demartin joined the Ridge Runners in 2006 during a rough patch in her life. Members of the group taught her to be a better runner.
âThe first time I ran with them they told me we were going to do six miles. I said âno they wonât because Iâm so slow,ââ said Dupal-Martin.
But with some coaching, and alternating between running and walking, she did. A month later, she went on to place first in her age range at a 5K race.
But in 2010, many members of the group moved to North Carolina and the group disbanded. Under the direction of the Lake Ridge Parks Authority, the club was about to lose all its funding — Until Dupal-Martin stepped in and got things going again.
She penned a column on a local news website and urged other runners to join her at a local school. Itâ didnât turn out as she had hoped, but it was a start.
âIn the back of my head I had a vision of the parking lot at the school being full. Only two showed up,â she said.
But it was enough for her to grab a clipboard and go to every area swim meet and community sporting event to ask others to sign up for information about the RidgeRunners. With the help of a tech-savvy husband, they redid the groupâs website, built an email contact list, gained new followers on Facebook.
The RidgeRunners hold six runs per week, and their Tuesday and Thursday night runs remain the most popular. At least once per week, the group likes to run at Mount Vernon, Manassas Battlefield Park, or other scenic points in the region.
Recent Stories
Prince William Countyâs Board of Supervisors easily approved the fiscal year 2025 budget with a few changes on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to take effect on July 1.
School officials in Prince William County say Antisemitic symbols were found painted on the side of Coles Elementary and Benton Middle schools near Woodbridge.
Manassas City Council held a public hearing on the city’s budget, as residents once again are facing the prospect of paying more in taxes.
On April 22, 2024, at approximately 2:16 a.m., the Manassas City Police Department responded to a 911 call for shots fired in the 9100 block of Winterset Drive.
To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residentsâ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
