2005 LAWS Run For The Shelter ½ Marathon and 5K
2005 Race Status:
Due to a combination of adverse opinions, VDOT will not issue a permit for any event
utilizing Dry Mill Rd. For those who know the course, Dry Mill is the road that the
Fairgrounds is located on, and is the first road of the course. Bottom line, without Dry
Mill Rd we cannot have a race out of the Fairgrounds. After a couple of months of trying
to negotiate with the authorities and not getting very far, VDOT and the Sheriff’s dept.
gave a tentative go ahead for the Old Waterford road course that we used about 5 years
ago. The Town of Leesburg has a few issues with that course, plus we feel it will cause
more problems then it will resolve at this point. The LRR’s and LAWS have a very good
reputation for putting on a well run race, so instead of trying to rush the process of
reorganizing a different running route, or revamping an old one, the board of the LRR’s
recommended to LAWS that the race be abandoned for this year, so we could find and
work out the logistics for a new course for next year, hopefully one that will make
everyone happy, and be a stable course for years to come. The Board of Directors for
LAWS came back with another option, to delay the race until early spring of next year,
maybe towards the end of March. That is where we are at this point, in search of a
solution for a scenic and challenging course, with the hope of putting the race on early
spring of 2006.
To answer a few questions on why this happened, VDOT issues the events (road use) permits based on “traffic situations and safety concerns”. The Sheriff’s office as well as possibly the fire and rescue dept. with support from the State Police, came up with the ruling that Dry Mill Road was “too dangerous” to use, due to the amount of new residents, traffic, and because it is a narrow two lane road with no shoulders. Unfortunately that applies to most of the roads in this county that we like to run on.
We would like to request the help from the running community, as well as anyone else that may be concerned, since this effects the Leesburg 10K, our Run For the Shelter as well as other events. All of which are established fundraising events in the Leesburg area. Not only will the benefiting organizations lose much needed funding as well as publicity, it also affects the businesses in Leesburg as well.
Since VDOT and the Sheriff’s department base a lot of there decisions on complaints, I encourage you to give them a call or send an email, NOT TO COMPLAIN, but to ask for their positive support and cooperation of community events that utilize Dry Mill and other similar roads. Through a cooperative effort, we can maintain these ongoing events and keep them alive and well, continuing to enjoy the scenic views of this county as well as continuing to fund the beneficiaries and helping local businesses.
Please take time to voice your opinions!
Thank you, and keep checking for updates!
Loudoun Road Runners
Race Management for the L.A.W.S. Run For The Shelter
Contacts:
VDOT – Samuel Allaire – 703-737-2026
Also - Dennis C. Morrison
District Administrator, Northern Virginia
Dennis.Morrison@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Loudoun County Sheriff’s office, traffic dept. – Lt. Ed Leonard - 703-737-8636,
Loudoun County Fire / Rescue / fire control – Keith Brower,
http://www.loudoun.gov/fire/index.html
State Police – Sgt. Stiles – 703-771-2533