Does your New Year’s resolution involve a pledge to move more?
Then kick off 2014 like you planned by running the New Year’s Day 5K at Reston Town Center.
The race time is 10 a.m., so you can sleep in and still make it to the starting line.
Here is what you need to know:
The race is limited to 700 entrants, so sign up soon.
Pre-registered runners receive a long sleeved-shirt.
Finishers receive a New Year’s Day 5K pin.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group. The race is open to kids 14 and under as well.
To register, visit the race website.
And good luck!
Photo of New Year’s Day 5K courtesy of PR Races
This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate. She writes twice weekly on Reston Now.
I live, work, and socialize on Lake Anne, so my idea of an adventure is to head over to Reston Town Center (which is only a mile away, but feels like a different world).
On New Years Eve, Reston Town Center is an idyllic place to be with the twinkling lights and sounds of laughter echoing down the streets. It’s beautiful. As I’m making my own plans for New Year’s Eve, I thought I’d share my idea of the perfect New Years at Reston Town Center:
1. Strap on your skates — The skating rink at town center will be open until 8:00 p.m. on New Years Eve. Take a few spins before and reconnect with your inner child. Click on the rink’s site for more details. After you’ve fallen a few times, head over to Clyde’s, Paolo’s, or any of the other restaurants nearby to warm up.
2. Treat yourself to an evening of dining and decadence — When you’re done skating (and après skating), relax in your hotel room before heading out for a gourmet dinner and party. Every year the Hyatt Regency offers spectacular New Years Eve specials (4 course dinner at Tavern 64, room, and breakfast @ $299 per couple—what a deal!). For me, getting a hotel room less than a mile from my home is the ultimate indulgence—a mini vacation with no worry of stressful travel. Check out the specials on the Hyatt’s website.
3. Start the new year right with a 5k run — Okay, so you’ve indulged and had your fun. Now it’s time to start the new year right. Or at least start it with 700 other crazy souls willing to strap on their sneakers and go for a fun around town center. The New Year’s Day 5K presented by Potomac River Running is always a fun event. And if you really don’t want to run, then grab a coffee and come cheer the runners on! Find registration details on the PR Running site.
Whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful and safe New Year’s Eve in Reston.
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The new residential building under construction on Reston Parkway now has a name and a pre-leasing website.
Meet The Harrison Apartments, two 14-story towers under construction at the site where 82 Parc Reston units in three low-rise buildings used to stand at Reston Parkway and Temporary Road.
The building has been under construction since the summer of 2012. The building is expected to be completed in summer 2014.
When it is complete, The Harrison will have 360 luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units. It is located just across Reston Parkway from Reston Town Center and The Spectrum, which is expected to undergo massive redevelopment in the next few years. The Reston Parkway Metro stop, expected to open in 2018, is also nearby.
Amenities will include an outdoor rooftop pool, an indoor lap pool, fitness center, an indoor spa, a yoga/Pilates room, a rooftop clubroom, onsite concierge service and an executive business and conference center, said developer Renaissance Centro.
Renaissance Centro also built Stratford House and Carlton House on Reston Parkway.
Reston will soon have another exercise option: Pure Barre has signed a lease for 11990 Market St., on the street level of Midtown Condos at Reston Town Center.
Pure Barre is a franchised exercise studio with locations nationwide, including Alexandria, Bethesda, Fairfax, Rockville and soon in McLean.
Barre exercise — as in ballet barre — is a recent trend where participants do small muscle movements, similar to the workouts of ballet danvers, to create long, lean muscles.
At local studios, a single 55-minute class is $25, but classes can be purchased in packages for a discount. Pure Barre is already offering a Pre-Open Special: $100 for 5 weeks of unlimited classes. Gift certificates are also available for the pre-open special (email [email protected] for more details).
Studio manager Jennifer Ward says she is planning a February opening.
The studio is also hiring instructors. A job description can be found on the studio page. Teachers can apply by emailing [email protected] with a resume and head shot.
Pure Barre joins Crunch Fitness as two new fitness offerings at Reston Town Center. Crunch is slated to open this month at 11951 Freedom Drive. Other new fitness spots — Fusion360 at South Lakes Village Center and the luxurious Lifetime Athletic that opened in September on Business Center Drive.
Photo Courtesy of Pure Barre.
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion raised a record-breaking donation of $5,697.50 for Reston Character Counts! Coalition during the rink’s opening weekend in early November.
That amount nearly doubled the money donated in 2012, organizers said.
“We’re elated that Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion was able to raise such a large donation for us this year,” said Reston Association CEO Cate Fulkerson, who also serves as president of Reston Character Counts! Coalition.
“As a long-standing tradition, this organization receives 50 percent of opening weekend proceeds from the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion.”
Fulkerson said that the nonprofit Reston Character Counts! Coalition will put the funds to good use through 2014, supporting Ethics Day at South Lakes High School in November, Reston Kids Triathlon, the Cornerstones Best of Reston event, and other charitable initiatives to support character-building for students in the community.
Character Counts! is a national, nonpartisan, character education initiative designed to help youngsters and adults develop and practice the basics of good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The Reston Coalition members include Reston Association, Reston Community Center, Reston Interfaith, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Reston Citizens Association, YMCA of Reston, and the office of Fairfax County Hunter Mill District Supervisor, Cathy Hudgins.
Photo: Marissa Marwell, manager of Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion congratulates Cate Fulkerson, president of Reston Character Counts! Coalition, on a record-breaking donation of $5,697.50 from 50% of the rink’s opening weekend proceeds. Photo credit: Courtesy Reston Town Center.
The 2013 holiday season officially begins Friday at Reston Town Center with a full slate of festive fun.
Macy’s-style balloons, bands and Santa and Mrs. Claus will take part in the 23rd annual Reston Holiday Parade, which begins on Market Street at 11 a.m.
In a nod to Metrorail’s Silver Line, which opens in Reston early in 2014, the parade theme this year is “Destination: Reston!” Balloons, floats, and costumes have all been inspired by modes of transportation – walking, cycling, trains, planes and automobiles, and more, an RTC spokeswoman said.
One high-profile Restonian who will not be taking part this year: founder Robert E. Simon. The 99-year-old Simon is on a trip to India this week.
Grand Marshal for the 2013 parade is real estate developer Joe Ritchey, who was selected for his philanthropic and community work in Reston. A Junior Grand Marshal, Lauren Spar of Langston Hughes Middle School, will also lead the parade. Lauren was selected because of her service to the community and LHMS.
After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will stay for visits and photos until 4:30 p.m. and will return to light the Christmas tree in Fountain Square at 6 p.m. The tree lighting attracts a gathering of nearly 5,000 people, who will also join in a half-hour Sing Along of traditional Christmas songs.
Here is the full schedule of events:
8 a.m. — Reston Town Center retailers and Ice Skating Pavilion open early
8 a.m. — Gingerbread Man Mile – Fun-run and races for kids, toddler through high school age, to benefit the
charity, Neediest Kids. Free to participate. Registration and information: www.prraces.com.
11:00 a.m. — 23rd Annual Reston Holiday Parade – Theme for 2013: “Destination: Reston!”
12:30 – 4:30 p.m. — Visits and Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Any donation for a 5 x 7 photo will benefit South Lakes High School Choir.
12:30 – 4:30 p.m. — Train Rides. A mini-train will offer rides on Market Street. Any donation benefits Volunteer Fairfax. Departure point is in front of Talbots.
5 p.m.: — Santa’s Frosty Follies. Performance of music and dance on Market Street, in front of the Christmas Tree.
6 p.m. — Tree Lighting and Sing Along. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage to magically light up the huge Christmas tree in Fountain Square, followed by traditional holiday songs led by The Reston Chorale and brass quintet.
6:30 – 10 p.m. — Horse-drawn Carriage Rides. Proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax. Pick-up location is in front of Talbots on Market Street. $5 per person, children 5 and under ride free with adult.
All day:
Ice Skating Pavilion –- Public skating on the glass-sheltered ice rink is open every day from early November until March, including all holidays. Hotline: 703-709-6300, and more information at www.restontowncenter.com/skating.
Holiday Gingerbread Village — This annual display can be viewed in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Reston throughout the holiday season.
See all schedules and more details at www.restontowncenter.com. Taking parade pictures? Upload them to our community Flickr page.
Not into running through stores with your kids for Black Friday bargains?
Then how about running through Reston Town Center?
The Gingerbread Man Mile begins at 8 a.m. on Nov. 29 as part of the all-day holiday season kickoff at Reston Town Center.
Here are the details:
Race is open for tots through high school. Tot trot is two blocks; 4-5 year olds do a half mile. Everyone else does a mile, beginning and ending on Market Street near the foundation.
Registration is $5; any additional donations will benefit Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC.
Online registration closes Nov. 26 at 8 p.m.
Following the final race, awards will be presented to the top three girls and boys finishers in each race (all tot trot finishers will receive a ribbon). Race winners will be able to take part in the parade following the races.
Don’t feel like cooking tonight?
Head to Reston Town Center’s Chipotle Mexican Grill (11913 Freedom Dr.), where the restaurant is donating 50 percent of its proceeds to Southgate Community Center. The offer is good from 4 to 9 p.m.
Southgate is a Fairfax County-run community center that largely serves a minority population in Reston. It offers many recreational and after-school programs.
Reston dignitaries, Macy’s-style balloons, bands, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus return to Reston on Nov. 29 at the 23rd annual Reston Holiday Parade.
The parade, which begins at 11 a.m. is an annual day-after-Thanksgiving tradition in Reston.
In a nod to Metrorail’s Silver Line, which opens in Reston early in 2014, the parade theme this year is “Destination: Reston!” Balloons, floats, and costumes have all been inspired by modes of transportation – walking, cycling, trains, planes and automobiles, and more, an RTC spokeswoman said.
One high-profile Restonian who will not be taking part this year: founder Robert E. Simon. The 99-year-old Simon will be on a trip to India over Thanksgiving.
Grand Marshal for the 2013 parade is real estate developer Joe Ritchey, who was selected for his philanthropic and community work in Reston. A Junior Grand Marshal, Lauren Spar of Langston Hughes Middle School, will also lead the parade. Lauren was selected because of her service to the community and LHMS.
After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will stay for visits and photos until 4:30 p.m. and will return to light the Christmas tree in Fountain Square at 6 p.m. The tree lighting attracts a gathering of nearly 5,000 people, who will also join in a half-hour Sing Along of traditional Christmas songs.
The parade needs hundreds of volunteers. Want to help? Go to www.restontowncenter.com/volunteer.
Reston Holiday Parade/File Photo Courtesy of Reston Town Center
On Saturday, watch out for people running through the streets of Reston Town Center in various forms of undress.
It’s the return of the Nearly Naked Mile, where runners go “family friendly nearly naked” for the race. Skivvies, sports bras, a toga or two — It all adds to the fun. You never know what you are going to see, but hopefully you won’t see too much.
Here is what you need to know:
- 11:30 a.m. – 1 :30 p.m. Registration packet pickup and pre race party at Reston Town Center
- 2 p.m. – Race begins. There will be five heats depending on times – from 10-minute miles to competitive (sub six-minute mile).
- At the finish line, runners will be greeted by the Northern Virginia Bag Pipers – and a glass of beer (for runners of legal age).
- Naked Pizza will be serving food.
- The first 600 runners to register receive flannel boxer shorts and a Nearly Naked Mile pint glass.
- Prizes include cash – and Nearly Naked Mile robes
- Net proceeds will benefit Medstar Washington Hospital Center’s Burn Unit.
- Registration fee: $30. Vist PR Racing’s website to register.
Update: The ice rink opening has been pushed back to Monday due to weather conditions. The fundraising event will take place Nov. 9-10 instead.
Earlier: Friday is opening day for the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion.
If you are thinking of lacing on your skates and hitting the rink this weekend, you will be helping a good cause. Saturday and Sunday, RTC teams with the Reston Character Counts! Coalition for its annual fundraiser. Fifty percent of skating rink proceeds will benefit development programs offered by the Reston Character Counts! Coalition, including the annual Essay and Poster Contest and the annual Ethics Day at South Lakes High School.
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion weekend hours are Saturday, 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Adult admission is $10; children under 12 and adults over 55, admission is $8. Skate rental is $5.
Cate Fulkerson, new Reston Association CEO and president of the Reston Character Counts! Coalition, says she looks forward to the event each year.
“We hope everyone will come out on opening weekend to skate and help support Character Counts!,” she said.
Other local partners in Character Counts!, which is a national nonprofit, are Reston Association, Reston Community Center, Reston Interfaith, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Reston Citizens Association, YMCA of Reston, and the office of Fairfax County Hunter Mill District Supervisor, Cathy Hudgins.
In case of rain, the benefit will be held Nov. 9 and 10.
(Photo credit: Reston Town Center)
Two new restaurants have signed leases for The Avant, Boston Properties’ new high-rise mixed-use building at Reston Town Center.
Coming in 2014: Barcelona Wine Bar and Restaurant and Bartaco.
Barcelona, which has several East Coast locations, including one at Logan Circle in D.C., is known for Spanish food and a long wine list — featuring, of course, lots of Spanish wine.
Bartaco has four Connecticut locations and is known for craft margaritas and interesting twists on upscale Mexican foods (sesame rib eye tacos and a flight of tequila, anyone?)
With the new spots, the retail portion of The Avant is fully leased, said Boston Properties Senior Project Manager Rich Ellis. Earlier this year, CVS and World of Beer both signed leases for The Avant.
“The retail at The Avant will be a great amenity to the Town Center as a whole,” said Ellis.
The Avant has begun pre-leasing and the building is expected to open later in November.
McAuliffe Lead Widening — Washington Post Poll says Democrat is up by 12 points over Ken Cuccinelli (R) in Virginia Governor’s race. [Washington Post]
Halloween Forecast — Nothing worse than a rainy Halloween or one in which you have to cover up your costume with a warm coat. This year in Reston, you probably won’t have either. Weather forecast calls for temps about 61 degrees. Showers might move through, but forecasters say you’ll likely get through trick-or-treat without rain on the Snickers bars. [Weather.com]
Congrats! — to Herndon High’s cheerleaders. They have made it to the Northern Region Finals Sunday. [Herndon Patch]
Save the Skate Date — Reston Town Center’s ice rink is slated to open Friday. [Reston Town Center Website]
Hospital Addition Nearly Done — Reston Hospital Center’s $25 million expansion project is almost ready for occupancy. The project, which adds about 150,000 square feet of office space, has been under construction for more than a year. Doctors are expected to move into the building at the end of November. [Reston Connection]
