For Immediate Release:
April 14, 2017
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
Laurel Ridge’s fourth annual Wits for Wellness 5k Run/Walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, April 22 on the Middletown Campus. The race is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are affiliated with Laurel Ridge.
Registration runs from 7:30-8:45 a.m., although it can also be done in advance online. The entry fee is $15 for Laurel Ridge faculty, staff and students, and $20 for all others. All participants receive a Wits for Wellness water glass. There will be post-race refreshments. 
Awards will be presented to the top male finisher and top female finisher in each age group, starting with 10 and under and going to age 70 and older.
But not everyone will be dashing to the finish line.
“There’s a lot of people who are going to be walking,” says Assistant Professor and Program Lead of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Stacey Ellis, who is coordinating the event. “We will be here as long as participants need to complete the 5k.”
This year, the race’s proceeds will benefit the W. Michael Larrick Memorial Scholarship. Michael and Britney Larrick established the fund in memory of their father, who died in a work-related accident in 2004. His family, friends and co-workers helped Michael and Britney complete their education, as their father had wished.
The scholarship is for a full-time Laurel Ridge student who has lost a parent or guardian and has graduated from high school within the past two years.
Mr. Larrick’s son, Michael, tragically died in a car crash on March 22. As soon as she learned of his death, Ellis knew she wanted this year’s Wits for Wellness cash to go to the scholarship. She knew Michael when he was a student and later when he organized the zombie-themed Outbreak 5k run to raise money for the memorial scholarship.
In addition to the run/walk, electronics recycling will be available in honor of Earth Day.
Register online or download a paper registration form at laurelridge.edu/about-lfcc/special-events/wits-for-wellness-5k-runwalk-and-kids-fun-run/.
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Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.
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