Local 5K Races to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions Strong

Many of us made lofty resolutions for 2016, and statistically, we are reaching the point where we want to modify those goals and take an easier road. That doesn't have to be the case for us in Northern Virginia! We are lucky to live in an area with plenty of gyms, workout groups, yoga studios, martial arts schools, dance classes, hiking trails, swimming pools, and on and on. One of the most economical ways to get in shape is running. Fortunately, even if you aren't a serious runner, there are plenty of 5K races to run or walk in Northern Virginia, and many of them offer you fun swag for participating.

Pre-Game 5K Run/Walk in Leesburg VA
Sunday February 7, 2016 - 8am

Run or walk through the beautiful grounds of the National Conference center on Super Bowl Sunday! You know you're going to spend the rest of the day parked in front of the TV with your perfectly-planned Super Bowl party menu, so why not start the day off with a little exercise? Plus, you get a t-shirt just for participating.

Love the Run You're With 5K in Arlington VA
Sunday February 14, 2016 - 9am

This course runs through the shops of Pentagon row. Run with friends, walk with your S.O., just get out and move for Valentine's Day. Participants will enjoy the after-race party and awards presentation at CHAMPPS as well as a karaoke contest. Even if you don't party, they'll send you home with a cozy blanket.

Lucky Leprechaun 5K in Reston VA
Saturday March 12, 2016 - 8:30am

You've got 60 minutes to meander your way through 3.1 miles of Reston Town Center streets. The luck of the Irish awards you a technical t-shirt for participating. Enjoy food and drink after the race, and you can download your race photos for free.

Dionysus Dash 5K in Leesburg VA
Sunday April 17, 2016 - 8:15am

Some of us need a little motivation to run. If the scenic views at Tarara Winery aren't enough, runners over 21 get to complete a wine tasting and take home the glass. Even better, you still get a race shirt and a goody bag. Tarara is only one of dozens of gorgeous wineries in the area, so why not make a day of exploring Loudoun's wine country?

The Prison Break Dash Run in Lorton VA
Sunday April 17, 2016 - 9am

The Lorton Workhouse Correctional Facility now houses an art center, but that doesn't mean you can't recreate the drama of a prison break in a 5K, does it? Race the others through the complex to freedom and receive "surprise prizes" or dress up to win the costume contest. Food and drinks provided, including donuts!

Glow South Riding in Chantilly VA
Saturday April 30, 2016 - Dusk

Let your inner light shine, or just wear a bunch of glow sticks. This race is untimed, so there's no pressure for speed. Just dress as brightly as you can, and you may win some prizes. All participants get a glow-in-the-dark t-shirt and a glow stick. Everyone is invited to the pre-race party as well. You choose either the 5K race or 1-mile fun run.

There are dozens of other races to check out in Northern Virginia from 1-mile runs all the way up to ultra marathons. You decide where and how to run, and maybe we will see you at one of these great events.

Contact Preferred Realty Partners to find your next home near jogging trails, gyms, pools, or any other fitness amenities you need.

This Weekend in Washington D.C.

Happy Friday! Congratulations on making it through another weekend. I'd like to congratulate our clients who's buyer closed on their Herndon Townhome yesterday! (There was a lender delay...but it all worked out in the end).

Next week we have new homes going on the market, so watch this blog for updates! Or email us, we'd love a personal note. Or, if you're shy you can always use this link to keep an eye on our listings in "stealth mode". Just remember to reach out if you have any questions. We are here to help!

If you haven't yet made plans for this weekend here are a few interesting things to check out:

The Bluemont Fair is this weekendwith  music, food, arts & crafts vendors, Antiques Roadshow-esque appraisals, beautiful historic buildings, Pickle making & Pie Baking contests and Wine Tasting. The official website is a bit "text heavy" so use these alternatives if you just want directions & admission info:
http://www.visitloudoun.org/Events/43rd-Annual-Bluemont-Fair
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bluemont-Fair/95123025349

Celebrate the Harvest is ends this weekend in Middleburg
Restaurants will include local meats, cheeses, produce and wines which are sure to be fantastic.

For more Loudoun County events use this link here

In Fairfax - the 10th Annual KORUS festival meets at Bull Run Park to celebrate Korean Culture. Displays of music, dance, food and other stage performances. A fantastic cultural enrichment experience for the whole family!

 If' you're looking for a deal, the DC Big Flea Market is this weekend at the Dulles Expo Center.

Taste of Falls Church is FREE! Live entertainment, ridse, crafters, businesses and much more!

The 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam in Maryland
If you're a history buff and up for a bit of a drive this could be a fun event. There will be a re-enactment, music, food, tours, hikes, children's activities, living history, memorial ceremonies and guest lecturers.

If nothing here tickles your fancy...there are a whole slew of other options here!

Please note, none of the events listed on these links are hosted or financed by Preferred Realty Partners, so they do not necessarily reflect the interests or opinions of our team, our management or our Brokerage. We have no control over the content or operation of these linked sites.
We just thought it might save you some time to have these links on one page.

Have a great weekend!

Memorial Day Events Washington D.C.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
For many individuals, Memorial Day weekend is about the first weekend the pool is open, BBQ's and an extra day off to spend time with family & friends. But it is important for us all to remember that Memorial Day is much more than that. Memorial Day is a holiday designed to commemorate the U.S. Men and women who died in military service for their country. These brave souls paid the ultimate price so that we could have our freedom. This is a sacrifice we will not ever forget.

This Memorial Day weekend I'd like to bring some attention to two veterans on an astounding journey to raise awareness.

The Wall To Wall Cross Country Bicycle Ride.
These gentlemen are riding bicycles from the Wall of Valor in Bakersfield, CA to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. about 4,263 miles. ON BIKES! And one of them is a double-amputee. I first read an article about Jeremy Staat & Wesley Barrientos, both veterans of the Iraq war, in January 2012. This statistic quoted in the article really got my attention:

" The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that a veteran dies by suicide every 80 minutes. That’s an annual death toll of about 6,500 — more than all the U.S. military casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan since those conflicts began."
(Read the full article here)

Wow. These men and women go to war, they witness things that many of us couldn't even dream about surviving. Yet they come home and lose hope. How can this be? More importantly, how can we help?  I've been keeping an eye on the progress of this ride to raise awareness through social media updates, because their journey is frankly pretty astounding. Wesley & Jeremy arrive in Washington D.C. this weekend, and we can go and cheer them on!

If you think these guys are as awesome as I do, you can Follow them on Facebook

Cinco de Mayo weekend in NoVA

There are more than a few exciting events happening this weekend in Northern Virginia that you may or may not have heard about. Here is a small sampling of  some events that sound very interesting for folks all over the Virginia, Maryland & DC area. Click on the links for more information.

1. Super Moon Saturday May 5th - The moon will be at it's closest point to the earth, producing what sounds like a glorious show
2. Virginia Gold Cup Races - A Fauquier County Tradition
3. Cinco De Mayo Running of the Chihuahuas - Chihuahuas y cervesas
4. Flower Mart at the National Cathedral - Flowers for sale, rides, food, vendors and much more!
5. National Harbor Wine & Food Festival - advance tickets closed, buy at the door!

This is by no means a comprehensive listing, but we are excited to share it anyway. As my Star Wars loving husband would say "May the 4th be with you".

Weekend Events

Are you looking for something to do this weekend in the DC area? I happened across a few suggestions that sounded interesting, and I thought I would share them. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you have a fantastic weekend!


First - if you are a science fan, you should definitely check out this event.
USA Science & Engineering Festival
Not only will they have Robots, Virtual Reality and cool hands-on experiments for the kids; but Adam Savage & Jaime Hyneman the Mythbusters will be there today at 1. If you like to watch them blow stuff up as much as I do, you may want to be there today well before 1 so you can see what they have to say.  The festival runs Saturday 10-6 and Sunday from 10-4.


If you prefer to stay in Northern Virginia there is a wine festival at Reston Town Center this Saturday and Sunday from 12-6. Any festival that advertises with "uncork yourself and uncork the fun" wins points for creative slogan writing. Plus...they'll have wine. Oh, and a moon-bounce for the kids.


In Fairfax this weekend a friend of ours sent us a flyer for this fundraiser for Relay For Life. There will be live music and some very exciting raffles, and it's all for a good cause!