Upcoming 5-mile race to honor Maj. Mike Donahue on Veterans Day

The 15th annual Valley View 5-Miler will take place Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Hydaway Outdoor Center. In addition to continuing tradition, this event will honor Maj. Mike Donahue, a former Liberty University staff member. 

Donahue was an assistant professor of military science for Liberty’s Army ROTC program from August 2008 to July 2010. In September of 2014, he was killed in a Taliban attack on a U.S. military base outside Kabul, Afghanistan. 

Since Donahue himself was an avid runner, the event pays tribute to his life and honors him for serving this country. 

The Hydaway Outdoor Center staff will host  the event. 

“As fall weather is in full swing and the semester quickly comes to an end, this is a great time to set aside a Saturday morning to get outside on the trail system and make memories with people who also share the same love of running,” Hydaway staff member Emma Arbeiter said. “This event, like all our trail races, aims to benefit the Liberty and Lynchburg community runners.”

Race participants will run a marked 5-mile course on Liberty Mountain’s trail system, and the race will begin and end at Hydaway. In addition to running the race, runners can enjoy the hospitality table and a curated playlist to get “hyped up” before the race.

Since the fall season has officially begun, the staff expects the perfect backdrop for such an event — the soft, muted tones of the fall leaves; that cool autumn temperature; and the sharp, refreshing scent of pine. 

“I love the overall vibe of these races, and I think it’s going to be a really great time,” Hydaway staff member Sarah Siska said. 

Spectators can support the runners and enjoy the race from the sidelines. Runners can leave their belongings at nearby picnic tables and take advantage of areas for stretching before the race. 

Prior to the race, there will be a ceremony wholly dedicated to honoring Donahue, which will include a brief statement and prayer, as well as the presenting of arms and the playing of “Taps.”

Registration is open to students, faculty, alumni and the public. Registering before Nov. 2 guarantees a free T-shirt. Registration is still open on the day of the event, but at an increased price.

To register, Liberty students, faculty and staff will pay a $25 advance with another $35 fee on race day. Military will pay $15 with a $25 fee on race day, and the public will pay a $35 advance with a $45 fee on race day. 

Packet pickup will take place at 8:40 a.m., 20 minutes before the start of the race. During this time, runners will receive their T-shirts and bib numbers, as well as other necessary information.

After they finish the race, runners will receive raffle tickets for entering into a drawing that will give them the opportunity to win a gift card or “swag” items. 

In addition to receiving T-shirts and being entered into the raffle, the race winners will receive awards.

“Awards will be given to the top three male and female overall winners, top three male and female in each age group, and top male and female masters (>40 years of age) overall winners,” Arbeiter said. “Overall awards will be ranked by gun time, (and) age group awards will be ranked on chip time. These consist of medals and homemade event-specific trophies.” 

Students can keep up with other related events on Campus Recreation’s Instagram.

Goforth is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion