Don't Forget to Register for the Met Branch Trail 5K

Don't forget to register for the MBT 5K if you have not already and help spread the word.  There are free registrations available for our youth and neighbors that might not be able to afford to pay.  Please help us make this a true community-wide event.  See the press release below for more information:

Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) Provides a Path to Better Health


Free Registration Offered to Ward 5 Residents for May 14th 5K Race/Walk



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 12, 2011

FOR MORE INFORMATION Sherri Morgan or Cristina von Spiegelfeld, 202-455-5628 Info@gometbranch.com

April 12, 2011 (Washington, DC) – Organizers of the first 5K race to be held on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) in Northeast DC on Saturday, May 14 announced today that Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), with funding support from Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States, will provide free adult registration to the first 50 community members residing in Edgewood, Eckington, Brookland and all Ward 5 neighborhoods. By raising awareness about the trail and promoting its use, the mission of this annual event is to further integrate the Metropolitan Branch Trail into building strong and thriving communities.

The MBT has the ability to transform the health, safety and lifestyles of the citizens of Ward 5 by providing access for walking and bicycling for recreation and transportation, safe alternatives to dangerous and difficult street crossings to access Metro trains and buses, a new connection to green space for people of all ages and a place to foster outdoor activity, play and community. RTC and Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States are committed to creating opportunities for nearby residents to use and enjoy the trail and are pleased to support this community event.

Organizers also announced that PEPCO has recently joined as an event sponsor. Additional sponsors include residential developer EYA and local grocer, Harris Teeter. All proceeds will be used to fund further community-trail linkages.

DC Road Runners Club, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is co-convening the race, which will be held on a USATF-Certified course along the the newly paved portion of the MBT, starting at S Street NE and 4thStreet NE and the trail entrance. Early registration fee of $20 ends April 15, and then increases to $25. To register for the MBT 5K Run/Walk as a runner, volunteer or sponsor, go to: www.gometbranch.com.

Free registration will be available to the first 50 adults within Ward 5 on a first-come first-served basis. If runners are able to pay the registration fee, please consider contributing to this community event in order to allow for need-based free registration. Contact Kelly Pack to inquire about free registration: 202.974.5148 or kellyp@railstotrails.org.

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About the Metropolitan Branch Trail

The Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) is an 8-mile trail that runs from Union Station in the District of Columbia to Silver Spring in Maryland. Following the Metropolitan Branch Line of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, the trail passes through numerous vibrant and historic neighborhoods as well as connecting to the National Mall. The MBT is an important transportation route providing connections to homes, work and play as well as access to seven Metro stations. Current plans include connections to the area’s trail network such as the Capital Crescent Trail, Anacostia Trails System, and integration into the East Coast Greenway.