Potomac — At 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 15, the hills of Potomac will abound with runners competing in the 2nd annual Holy Child “Tiger Trot” 5K. The young women of the Connelly School of the Holy Child, their parents, siblings, grandparents, faculty and friends are eagerly awaiting the starting signal for this fun-filled yet challenging community event. The proceeds of the 5K run/walk will support both the Cabin John Fire Volunteer Fire Department and the wellness programs at the Connelly School of the Holy Child.

More than 200 runners and walkers took part last year in the first annual run. This year, the coordinators are hoping to expand the event beyond the school into the broader community. They have improved the course to provide an easier start and finish and are offering cash awards of $200, $150 and $100 for the top three male and female overall winners. In addition, prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers in each age division.

The scenic course will begin at the Holy Child School, 9209 Bradley Boulevard, with the start heading from the school towards Avenel. Runners will turn right on Persimmon Tree, circle into Bronson and back to the school again.

Walkers will enjoy a scenic stroll through a scenic area of Potomac. At the conclusion of the race, a post-race party will feature a moon bounce, food, vendors, music and raffle prizes.

Avid runner Sue Whitaker participated in the race last year: “I am a runner who runs purely for pleasure, but I also enjoy the occasional race. The 2010 Tiger Trot was well organized and the course was clearly marked and relatively flat and fast. I thought the race was a great size and the parking and packet pick-up were very quick and easy. I will definitely participate in the Tiger Trot again.”

The event sets an example of the young women of Holy Child participating in running as a life-long wellness program to maintain fitness, set goals and meet challenges. The faculty is also joining in by challenging each other and their students to try for their personal bests. Additionally, alumnae are organizing a “Tiger Tot Trot” to encourage parents with young children to walk or run in the “stroller brigade.”

Race-day registration will begin at the school at 6:30 a.m. Crishon Landers, Holy Child’s dance coach, will lead warm-up exercises at 7:30 a.m. and the race will begin at 8 a.m. Holy Child Dad John Martin (MIX 107.3 DJ) will serve as the announcer for the race as well as the event’s emcee. Savantage Solutions is the presenting sponsor, and title sponsors are Gettysburg Blue Festival/The Drummond Family, IQ Solutions, the Roustamov family and Charles Schwab. State-of-the-art timing (ChronoTrack) will be managed by RaceDC Timing. The post-race party and awards will be provided by Freddy’s Lobster and Clams, Pacers, Roy Rogers, Whitetail, California Tortilla, Liberty Mountain, Powerade, Potomac River Running, Giant, Old Town Market, Plow and Hearth, Pirate’s Booty, and As Kindred Spirits.

To register for the race, sign up at https://www.holychild.org/tigertrot by April 8. The cost is $25 for racers/walkers aged 20 and over. After April 8, the cost is $30. Students 19 and under are $20 on all dates. All registered runners and walkers will receive a long-sleeve t-shirt but should register early to be guaranteed the correct t-shirt size. Packet pick-up is on Saturday, April 14, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Holy Child; race day packet pick-up and registration are from 6:30-7:30 a.m.