Gainesville Grizzlies 5K Run to Happen Rain or Shine

The Gainesville-Haymarket Youth Football League will be holding their 4th annual Grizzly Day & 5k Run this Saturday at Virginia Gateway Shopping Center in Gainesville.

This charity event is more than just a 5-kilometer run; it is a timed race that will be awarding special prizes to the fastest in the field. A 1K Fun Run Route is also planned just in case you are not feeling up to a 5K.

The race's path will travel through the shopping center's parking lot, down Wellington and Limestone roads then to Gainesville Middle School and back.

After the race enjoy the community street fair with a parade of GHYFL teams, performances by live bands and even a carnival. There will be over 80 vendors on hand selling various merchandise and food retailers in the shopping center will have booths serving food.

Two youth bands from area middle and high schools get the chance to perform on Saturday after winning the battle of the bands competition at 'Back to Rock' music school in Loudoun County.

Other entertainment includes youth cheerleading, tae-kwon-do,  and gymnastics performances. Dancers from Spotlight Dance in Manassas will also be performing, along with appearances by sports groups from schools in the Manassas, Haymarket and Gainesville.

Cost of registration is $25 and includes free t-shirt and race packet. 

The race packets will need to be picked up at Sports Authority at Virginia Gateway Friday night between 5-7pm. Sport's Authority is a sponsor of the event and will deduct 20% of any race-related products.

All proceeds collected at the event will be used for construction costs of the newly opened Grizzly Sports Complex.

The sports facility will not only benefit the Grizzlies but other youth as well with installation of a synthetic turf field that is designed for the safety of young athletes.

Over 6,000 people attended Grizzly Day last year and the Grizzlies have donated over $60,000 in the last five years to benefit youth sports programs.

Race starts at 8:30 am.

The Gainesville-Haymarket Youth Football League is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a character building program for area boys and girls through fundamental instructions associated with youth tackle football, flag football, and cheerleading.