Blue Ridge Hospice, through the generosity of its sponsors, hosted its 17th Annual Butterfly Run 5K/10K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 19th, starting at 9 a.m. at the State Arboretum in Boyce, Virginia.
The event attracted close to 300 participants of all ages. Participants included families; beginner, intermediate, and serious runners; and walkers of all kinds. Each participant received a t-shirt and enjoyed refreshments and activities at the finish line festival. The 5K was a gorgeous walk or run through lush Virginia country, with mountain views and beautiful scenery at the VA State Arboretum. On the 10K course, participants ran through the arboretum, through a barn, by grazing horses, and around the historic Long Branch plantation estate.
Many participants ran or walked in remembrance of a loved one. Jane Crowther shared, “Roger Andrick is a very, very good friend of ours. He passed away recently, and Blue Ridge Hospice took great care of him at the end. We hope that he’s up there thinking about us and we are down here remembering how much we love him and miss him.” Jessica Minor ran the 10K and stated, “This is actually one of my favorite races of the year. I think Blue Ridge Hospice is a very special organization and it’s close to my heart.”
McGriff Insurace, The Winchester Group Inc., Allstate Benefits, Valley Proteins Inc, Frederick Block, Brick & Stone, Contact Corporation, Blue and Gray Electric, Fairlawn Landscaping, Home Instead Senior Care, Winchester Equipment Co, Bill Powers State Farm Agent, Winchester Jazzercise, Quality Title, LLC, Rotz Pharmacy, The Cove Campground, I Heart Media, and The River 95.3 were thanked as sponsors. Age group awards were presented 3-deep in all divisions, for both races, for male and female categories: First overall male and female and top 3 male and female 19 and younger, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.
All proceeds from the race will go directly to Blue Ridge Hospice, a nonprofit hospice in the Shenandoah Valley, to provide quality end-of-life care to everyone, regardless of financial ability, and no-cost grief support to the community.
