Registration deadline for Race Series Challenge and first FMWR race March 9

By Jim Dresbach, Pentagram Staff WriterMarch 9, 2015

Registration deadline for Race Series Challenge and first FMWR race March 9
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Participants in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall's Shamrock Shuffle 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk past the Fort Myer Fitness Center on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH March 14, 2014. This year's Shamrock Shuffle is March 13, and will kick off the 2015 Family ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Registration deadline for Race Series Challenge and first FMWR race March 9
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is again hosting a calendar-loaded schedule of road races and three Army 10-Miler qualifiers throughout the upcoming months.

The Commander's Race Series commences with March 13's Shamrock Shuffle and Army Emergency Relief Kick-Off 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, and online registration is still open for that event. Using the same formula as last autumn's FMWR holiday race series challenge, runners and walkers can earn a 2015 spring race series challenge coin by registering online for March 13's Shamrock Shuffle and AER Kick-off, Fort McNair's Cherry Blossom Along the River race on April 10 and May 1's Rockin' & Reelin' Sock Hop run and walk.

To earn the race challenge coin, participants must register online at www.jbmhhmwr.com/special-events. Walkup, same-day registrations are available for all races, but those racers will not be eligible for the challenge coins. Shamrock Shuffle and Army Emergency Relief Kick-off race registration ends March 9 at midnight.

According to Todd Hopkins, FMWR recreation specialist and race series organizer, over 50 have already registered for the March 13 race. One change has been made to race mornings. The starting guns for all races will now be fired at 6:45 a.m.

In regard to inclement weather cancellations, Hopkins said runners and walkers can contact the Fort Myer Fitness Center the morning of the race to check event status.

"We have so many runners, it's impossible to get a hold of all of them," he said. "If someone is worried about snow or a thunderstorm cancelling the event, they can call the Myer Fitness Center at 703-696-7867 or 703-696-7868. The gym opens at 5 o'clock, and the call is made at least 30 minutes prior to the run."

Other race dates include:

July 2 - Firecracker Twinkie Challenge

Aug. 21 - Women's Equality Day Race

Oct. 30 - Demon & Doggie Dash

Nov. - JBM-HH Turkey Trot (date to be determined)

Dec. 4 - Operation Santa Ugly Sweater Run

Army 10-Miler qualifiers are scheduled for May 15, June 19 and July 10.

Again, to register for the Shamrock Shuffle and Army Emergency Relief Kick-Off 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk and the other 2015 Spring Race Series Challenge races, go to www.jbmhhmwr.com/special-events. Hopkins can be reached at 703-696-0594.