Running in the Name of Love

I am pleased to be serving as the Honorary Chair for this year's 4th Annual "Run in the Name of Love" 5K Race, which benefits an outstanding community organization, The Arc of the Piedmont. Not only will I be welcoming the runners to the event this coming Sunday, April 13 (start time is 9:00am from the Newcomb Hall Plaza at UVa), I will also be running in the race myself. Should be fun -- come join us! (To register, click here.)

This race is held each year in memory of a young man named Brian Love, who was taken from us far too soon. From the press release:

Brian Love was a fourth year student at UVa and captain of the Virginia Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team (VASST) when, four years ago, he tragically died in a snowboarding accident. In an effort to capture Love’s generous spirit and contagious energy, his family and friends created this event to support The Arc, an area charity with which Brian had been associated in life. The Arc is a 501-c-3 organization providing advocacy, hope and support for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The vision of The Arc is for people with disabilities to be fully participating members of the community.

Susan Love, Brian’s mother, is flying in from California to once again be present to thank and support the many participants who will be Running in the Name of Love. In her words, “It is bittersweet for me but I am so proud that my son was of such character that he lives in the hearts and minds of so many, that he is memorialized by this special race, and that his desire to assist those less fortunate is being manifested in such a meaningful and special way.”

Courtesy of Fellini’s #9 Restaurant, The Arc and VASST will also be hosting a pasta dinner at the Wesley Foundation Saturday evening, April 12, at 6:00, including dessert by Ben & Jerry’s of Barracks Road. Ms. Love, who is a marathon runner and a motivational speaker, will be the guest speaker.

For more information on The Arc, the dinner or on the Run in the Name of Love 5K, contact David White at 434-977-4002, ext. 36, dwhite@thearcofthepiedmont.org. Registration forms may be picked up at The Arc at 515 Park Street, Charlottesville or at the Ragged Mountain Running Shop on the University Corner, or register online at http://people.virginia.edu/~crd5f/blove, or http://skiuva.org/blove5k.