June 19, 2010

Running To Keep Memory Alive

Annual Tim Harmon Memorial 5K Run/Walk set for June 26.
By Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection
Wednesday, June 16, 2010

When people think of the Fairfax County Government Center, they don’t normally picture people competing in a foot race. But for the past decade, it’s been the site of the Tim Harmon Memorial 5K Run/Walk.

Now, it’s again time for the 11th annual race honoring a former county employee and raising money toward a cure for Hepatitis C. It’s slated for Saturday, June 26 at 8:30 a.m., rain or shine, and signups are still open. Cost is $25, and registration is at www.racepacket.com, or in person on race day, from 7-8:15 a.m.

“It’s nice to do a race at the Government Center because parking is right there,” said race director Tom Cook of Chantilly's Armfield Farm community. “You can walk to the starting line.”

The course is mostly flat and fast, beginning and ending in front of the Government Center and going out to West Ox Road and Monument Drive. Participants may either walk or run. For more information, call 703-934-8756, e-mail peggy.cook@fairfaxcounty.gov or see http://www.timharmon5k.org/ .

Harmon died of Hepatitis C in 1999 at age 51. But before then, he did all he could to help people struggling with addiction. He worked 20 years for Fairfax County and was Director of Residential Services for Alcohol and Drug Services [ADS].

He also founded a substance-abuse treatment program for teens. Because of his efforts, seven new residential treatment programs were opened. He also helped expand those at A New Beginning and Fairfax Detox in Chantilly, New Generations in Vienna, plus Crossroads and Sunrise House.

"Tim hired me in 1984 as a substance-abuse counselor [for ADS]," said Cook, who still holds that position and works with teens. "He was a driving force behind many of this county’s services."

The race is run to remember Harmon and to raise awareness of hepatitis C. Proceeds go to charities including the Hepatitis Foundation, the American Liver Foundation and local drug-treatment centers, including Sunrise in Fair Oaks. Harmon left behind a wife and two daughters, now grown, plus a 10-year-old grandson he never saw. Matthew was born the year after he died; but each year, he participates in the race.

Prizes in the 5K are awarded to the top three, male and female overall finishers, plus the top three finishers in 14 age groups in five-year increments. The race has four divisions: runners/walkers, Fairfax County employees, baby joggers and public safety. Fire and police personnel will compete against each other for team and individual trophies.

Registered participants receive custom T-shirts designed by Kay Rankin. They’re white and adorned with a replica of a running shoe in the Hepatitis Foundation’s colors of yellow and red. “Kay does a great job, every year,” said Cook.

Sports Plus & Battlefield Screen, CASSADAY Inc., MicroPact Engineering, Olympus Auto Parts and Inova Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Services are the major sponsors. More than 100 trophies, plaques and medals will be presented, plus doorprizes from local restaurants and merchants.

They include, goody bags from Starbucks and gift certificates from Potomac River Running Store, Ledo Pizza, Panera, Applebee’s, Bungalow Billiards & Brew, Buffalo Wing Factory, Alexander de Paris, Bristow Manor Golf Course, Wegmans, Guapo’s, Ned Devine’s and Pinecrest Golf Course.

Silent auction items include signed footballs by Brian Griese of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his father Bob Griese, the Hall of Fame quarterback from the Miami Dolphins; a hockey puck signed by Washington Capital Matt Bradley; and lots of Washington Redskins memorabilia, including a signed, autographed picture of Redskins greats Art Monk and Darrell Green being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Bidders can also bid on a mini football helmet signed by Redskins linemen, the Hogs; photos of Redskins Jeff Bostic and Joe Jacoby; a full-size football helmet signed by Randy White (ex-Dallas Cowboy and University of Maryland lineman); and running batons signed by great American distance runners, Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit-Samuelson.

Adding to the day’s fun is a live, classic-rock band, The Sock Monkeys, who'll entertain before, during and after the race. Post-race refreshments such as bagels, granola bars, juice and soda will be available, and Piedmont School of Massage will give free massages after the race to the runners.

"Last year, we raised almost $13,000 and had 650 participants," said Cook.

"We start working on it in January, and a lot of the race-committee members are county employees who worked with Tim. I run races, too, so I spend April, May and June handing out flyers at other races in which I’m running.”

Cook has been running since high school. “This is one of my passions outside of work,” he said. “We get a lot of positive feedback on the Tim Harmon 5K. I feel good when I hand a flyer to someone and get compliments from people who’ve done this race previously and really liked it. We get lots of repeat customers.”

Literature in the race packets educates people about hepatitis C and how to avoid contracting It. Harmon's disease was discovered through a routine blood test, but no cure is available. It has no symptoms, so people don't realize they have it until they're diagnosed. But by then, their livers may be irreparably damaged and that's what happened to Harmon. For more information, call 1-800-891-0707 or see www.hepfi.org.

“Over 4 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the virus, but as many as half of them do not know they’ve been infected,” said Cook. “At least 75 percent of those infected develop chronic hepatitis, and 30 percent of them go on to develop cirrhosis of the liver. Chronic liver disease due to Hepatitis C causes 20,000 deaths each year in the United States, alone."

That’s why Cook’s pleased that all the proceeds from the Tim Harmon 5K are donated to charity. “We’ve probably raised about $125,000, over 10 years, and that’s a pretty good chunk of change,” said Cook.

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=341561&paper=61&cat=104

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