Monster Mash will support Rock Academy

Need to get in a run Saturday morning- Don't forget your Halloween spirit.

The Parents Rock Organization (PRO) is hosting the first annual Monster Mash 5k road race in Yowell Meadow Park. Costumes are strongly encouraged. In fact, if you show up in your witch's hat, you get a discount.

And it's all in the spirit of having a good time.

"We run for fun, so with that in mind, lets make the race fun," race organizer Lynne Kritter said.

PRO was formed earlier this year by a group of parents whose children were involved in the Rock Academy in Culpeper.

The group has been involved in several fundraising efforts already this year, including Rock Fest, a September concert festival that raised money for Lee Linthicum, a local man suffering from ALS.

Now, the PRO members are turning their attention towards the place where so many of their children have been given the opportunity to explore their musical talents.

"PRO wanted to find a good way to raise fund and raise awareness for the Rock Academy," owner Keith MacDonald said.
So the group came up with the idea of hosting a road race, with proceeds going to MacDonald and the Academy.

But Kritter didn't want this to be just any race. It had to be fun.

Her first focus was the course. She's been on runs where she was stuck by herself on a lonely stretch of road. It's no fun. So the race organizers set up a course that will start at the Rock Academy on Culpeper St. and do two loops through Yowell Meadow Park.

"We wanted to make the race community friendly and fun-friendly," Kritter said. "By going around the park two times and making it a family event, the walkers can actually see the runners going by."

To keep the fun coming, Kritter said there will be prizes for top age-group finishers and for the best costumes. In fact, if a racer wears a costume, the entry fee is $5 cheaper.

Runners can register Saturday morning. Registration will take place at the Rock Academy from 8-8:40 a.m. The race begins at 9 a.m. Professional timing will be provided by On the Run Sports.

There will be refreshments and live music after the race and Kritter is hopeful that the event will be a great success.
"We want to take the kids music and bring it a little farther out into the community," she said.

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or