Hero’s Bridge is preparing for its virtual race to honor Vietnam veterans.
The Warrenton-based nonprofit is incorporating a virtual aspect to its annual 5K race, aiming to garner participants on a national level, according to a news release.
Founder and CEO Molly Brooks said five years of successful in-person races dedicated to Vietnam Veterans Day inspired her to want to transform the annual observance day into a national event.
The event, commemorating Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29, aims to recognize the sacrifice of the nation’s 9 million Vietnam War veterans. Each finisher of the 5K, in-person and virtual, will receive a commemorative medal, with the 2024 design honoring combat medics from the Vietnam War.
The in-person event on March 30 will start and end at Molon Lave Winery, located at 10075 Lees Mill Road in Warrenton. At noon, participants will set off on a three-loop course around the winery property. The race will be kicked off by Warrenton Town Council member and Army veteran Dave McGuire.
Registration for the in-person event will be open up until race day. Participants who choose race-day registration will need to arrive approximately one hour before the race.
Among the participants of the in-person event will be 81-year-old Vietnam veteran Lewis Ray, a retired master gunnery sergeant, who aims to complete the race in under one hour.
Registration for the virtual event, which includes a customizable bib for participants to honor or remember a Vietnam veteran, will remain open from March 15 through April 15. The registration fee is $29 per participant.
The funds raised from the event will support Hero’s Bridge’s mission and programming.