Thousands are expected to participate in third annual 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance
The third annual 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance will be held on Saturday, April 16, as the Virginia Tech community remembers and honors the lives of 32 individuals who were lost in 2007.
The event will begin at 9:40 a.m. rain or shine along the Alumni Mall near the North Main Street entrance of campus and finish on the Drillfield near War Memorial Hall. The event is free and open to the public; participants may run or walk the 3.2-mile course, or volunteer to help run the event.
The route for the 3.2 Mile Run in Remembrance will take participants throughout campus, including the home team tunnel used to enter Lane Stadium.
A state-wide moment of silence followed by a 32 white balloon release will signal the start of the event.
Immediately following the run, all participants are invited to be part of the "3.2 for 32" photo to be taken on the Drillfield near the April 16th Memorial. A community picnic will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. also on the Drillfield with food provided by local vendors. Those attending the picnic are encouraged to bring additional food and picnic blankets.
Registration for the 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance should be done in advance online. All registered participants should check-in between 4 and 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15, or from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, in the Commonwealth Ballroom of Squires Student Center.
Commemorative T-shirts will be provided to the first 4,000 people who register online. In order to receive a T-shirt, eligible registered runners or walkers must check-in Friday evening or between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning. After 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, any T-shirts that have not been picked up will be given away on a first-come, first-serve basis until 9:30 a.m. when registration closes.
This year's event will require more 300 volunteers to accommodate the growing number of walkers and runners. A variety of shifts are available such as pre-race preparations, set-up, registration, route marshals, water station, and post-race clean-up. Volunteers are also needed for the community picnic and the candlelight vigil scheduled for 7:30 Saturday evening. All volunteers will receive a commemorative T-shirt.
This year, area hotels and restaurants are offering special discounts to those traveling to Blacksburg to participate in the event. Details will be posted to the 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance as information is available.
Free parking is available for all 2011 Day of Remembrance events in all Perry Street lots and the Perry Street parking garage located off Prices Fork Road. A campus parking map can be found online or call (540) 231-3200 for parking information.
The 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance is organized by the Virginia Tech Department of Recreational Sports and the April 16 Student Planning Committee which is made up of representatives from 10 student groups and an at-large member from the student body. Organizations represented on the planning committee are the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Council of International Student Organizations, Graduate Student Association, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, Residence Hall Federation, Student Alumni Associates, Student Government Association, Students Against Violence, and Virginia Tech Union..
Written by Erin Myers, of Richmond, Va., a junior majoring in marketing in the Pamplin College of Business.
Duckpond runners
3.2 Run in Remembrance 2010
