Discovery DASH!

23rd Annual Discovery Dash
Saturday, May 18, 2013

at Monticello High School

Virginia’s oldest kids’ track race!
Races for kids ages 3-12

Register online here!

It’s time to start thinking about the Virginia Discovery Museum’s Annual Discovery Dash. This will be our 23rd  year hosting this event and we hope to have our largest turn-out ever. Taking place at Monticello High School on May 18, this event will feature over a dozen fun-filled races including a scramble for the little ones and exciting parent-child relays. Schools throughout the area are welcome to enter teams of runners for the school relay. There will be trophies, raffle prizes, yummy food, and great exercise.

The Discovery Dash has long been one of the most fun events hosted by VDM. It is always a joy to see the kids run their hearts out as they are supported by their friends and family. What a great way to bond through healthy exercise and competition! VDM is also pleased to be a part of the Let’s Move! campaign, a comprehensive initiative started by Michelle Obama to promote a healthier, more physical lifestyle for kids. We hope that this event encourages kids to engage in more physical activities that challenge their bodies and enrich their lives.

The Discovery Dash is also part of the Kids’ Triple Crown Series, a series of four Charlottesville area not-for-profit races sponsored by Ragged Mountain Running. To qualify for the Triple Crown medal, runners need to finish at least three of the four races: the Charlottesville Ten Miler – Kid’s Track Races, the Run for Autism, the Family Fitness Fair, and the Discovery Dash. We are excited to continue participating in this fun, community-wide opportunity. 

If you’ve participated in previous Dashes, we are looking forward to seeing you again. If you have never participated, make this the year to start. So mark your calendars for May 18 and check out vadm.org/eventsDash.html for more information and to register. We hope to see you there!

Thank You to our Discovery Dash Volunteers!

You were the biggest reason this year's 20th Annual Discovery Dash was such a success. Over 500 kids and families from 77 area schools participated. We couldn't have done it without you........THANK YOU!

Free slideshow made with Smilebox

20th Annual Discovery Dash! May 29th-Monticello High School

“Discovery Dash” Marks Twenty Consecutive Years as Central Virginia’s Only Community-Wide Children’s Race

The Virginia Discovery Museum will host its 20th annual community-wide children’s race, The Discovery Dash, on Saturday, May 29 as part of its “Most Magnificent Month of May” anniversary celebration. Besides being a major fundraiser for the Museum, this year’s event is also the final leg of the official “Kids Triple Crown” (sponsored by Ragged Mountain Running Shop) which also includes the Virginia Institute of Autism road race (April 17) and the Charlottesville Day School cross country race (April 25).

There is also a FREE training camp being held on Saturday, May 22, sponsored by UVA Children's Hospital. For more information or to register, call 434-924-1648 or visit this link.

The Discovery Dash, under the guidance of Race Director Mark Lorenzoni of Ragged Mountain Running Shop, is open to ages 3-12 and will be held on the Monticello High School track. The first race begins at 7:45 a.m. with the Awards Ceremony at 9:45 a.m. Pre-registration is required; there is no race day registration. The regular registration deadline is Friday, May 21. A late fee will apply to registrations received from May 21–26.

Discovery Dash events include a scramble for toddlers, a quarter-mile race, a half-mile race, two mile races, three family relays and the Discovery Cup School Relay sponsored by the Charlottesville Track Club. Every registrant receives a Dash t-shirt; everyone who crosses the finish line gets a ribbon. Trophies are awarded to the three fastest boys and the three fastest girls in each grouping from ages 5-12. Trophies are also awarded to the winners of the Parent/Child and Sibling relays. Adults who ran in the Discovery Dash as a child and who are participating in this year’s Parent/Child Relay will be recognized as Dash Alumni.

The Discovery Dash is open to the public, and spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer on all participants. The races are held rain or shine.

To register:
Online: Click this link.
By phone: 434-977-1025, ext. 9 (ask for Jenée)
In person: Stop by the Museum for a registration form.
By email: Email a request to vadmfunds@vadm.org

Hope to see you there!