29th Running of the DARCARS Rockville Rotary Twilight Runfest Adds New Event

Summerís Premier Racing Event and Block Party

By Nancy Betress

Rockville, MD

This is the event that started nighttime racing in the National Capital area and continues the tradition. The 29th running of the DARCARS Rockville Rotary Twilight Runfest will take place Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Rockville Town Square. With last yearís lightning and thunderstorm, race organizers are hoping for a calm weather forecast for the 3,000 runners and hundreds of spectators.

The Twilight Runfest Festival begins at 7:00 p.m. with live music, dancing, and variety of vendors for the entire family. A new addition to the event is the two mile Family Fitness Walk. This will give folks a variety of participation options.

The Family Fitness Walk starts at 8:20 p.m. followed by the wheelchair race at 8:40 p.m., the 8K at 8:45 p.m. and the 1K fun run at 8:50 p.m. Runners will be serenaded by musicians on the course. Spectators will have a front row seat watching elite runners compete for open, masters, and age group awards while most runners will be there for the pure enjoyment of running a ënighttime eventí and partying after they cross the finish line.

Let the party begin. Once you cross the finish line, meet your family and friends at the post-race festival. Free refreshments, beer, and random awards for registered runners; live entertainment, music, and dancing for everyone.

Hot Weather Warning: Runners are reminded that it is typically hot and humid during this event and you should be properly trained for these conditions. Be sure to be properly hydrated before the race and take water on the course. While we monitor the weather for the event, it is important for runners to make a decision based on the conditions and how well they can handle it.

Online registration is available until Friday, July 18, 2014, at ImAthlete.com. Late registration and packet pickup will be available at the following locations and times:

Friday Night: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Potomac River Running Rockville Town Square

Saturday (Race Day): 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Potomac River Running

Saturday (Race Day): 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Rockville Town Square

The Twilight Runfest is presented by the Rockville Rotary Club, hosted by the City of Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks, and conducted by the Montgomery County Road Runners Club Inc. Race proceeds will benefit the Rockville Recreation Fund and the Rockville Rotary Foundation. The Rockville Recreation Fund annually provides hundreds of low-income children and families with funding to participate in summer camps, sports leagues, after-school day-care, teen programs and, community center classes and activities. The Rockville Rotary Foundation supports local homeless shelters, food programs, needy families, Scouting organizations historic projects, Rotary Internationalís Polio Eradication Initiative, along with many health and education programs in the United States, India, Haiti, and Mexico. For complete race details, check the Web site

Donít miss Rockvilleís biggest summer block party where you can run under the stars and dance by the light of the moon at Twilight Runfest!