June 6, 2017
The Saturday, June 17 Outbreak 5K will give participants the chance to run as if they’re being chased by brain-eating zombies scattered around Laurel Ridge’s Middletown Campus. Actually, zombies will be staggering after both runners and walkers in the third-annual 5K benefitting the W. Michael Larrick Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship is awarded to a full-time Laurel Ridge student who has lost a parent or primary guardian. It was set up three years ago by Britney Larrick Hammond and her brother Michael Larrick in memory of their father, W. Michael (Mike) Larrick, who died in 2004 in a work-related accident. The first $1,000 scholarship was awarded this past academic year.
“Both of us were running a lot of 5Ks there for a while,” Hammond said of herself and her brother. “He had done a zombie run and immediately loved it. He knew that there weren’t many around here, and he wanted our event to stand out. He thought that was kind of a fun idea and ran with it from there.”
Michael Larrick leaps over a zombie in a past Outbreak 5K.
This year’s race is made all the more poignant by her brother Michael’s death in a March 22 car crash.
“We instantly said we wanted to continue this,” his widow, Elizabeth Larrick said. “Participants are helping us to continue Michael’s dream.”
Runners pay a $35 fee if they register in advance, and $40 if they register the day of the 5K, which also includes some obstacles, such as hay bales, mud pits and a rope scramble. Walking is fine, and any obstacles may be skipped.
Those wishing to play the role of zombie do so for free. All ages are welcome. Hammond asked that any zombie wannabes register ahead of time because there is a 50-person limit.
To pre-register, go to www.outbreak5k.com. Zombies are asked to arrive by 8:30 a.m. for make-up, and runners/walkers by 9:30 a.m. The first wave of runners will leave at 9:45 a.m.
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. 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.