Kathrine Switzer’s 261 Fearless, Inc Welcomes Lorton Running Club

Lorton, VA (June 11, 2018) – There is a new women’s only running club in Lorton founded by legendary runner and women’s advocate, Kathrine Switzer supporting women to get into running and uniting them with female runners globally.

Club Founders and Leaders, Rita Cheng of Potomac, MD, and Rosy Spraker of Lorton, VA, are pleased to announce the launch of an all-women’s running club, 261 Fearless Club DC Metro, a new non-profit running club for women in the DC Metro area. This Club uses running to empower women with a unique non-competitive and social training technique which helps them to find the joy in running. Women of all running abilities are welcome to join the group which meets every week on Sundays at 8:00 AM at Newington Heights Park, 8590 Heller Rd, Lorton, VA.

“The women who join our 261 Fearless Club DC Metro can view our community as a way to empower themselves,” says Rita Cheng and Director of Club DC Metro. “I never thought I could run because I developed asthma as a result of complications from childhood pneumonia. I started running with my daughter and coached GirlsOnTheRun for five seasons. I enjoy everything about my running journey. Of course, I value the health benefits and the lifelong friendships. Running has given me something very special: confidence and clarity.”

The founder of the 261 Fearless nonprofit organization, Kathrine Switzer, is well known for her participation in the 1967 Boston Marathon where she became the first woman to officially enter and finish this traditional race as a numbered entry. “Giving back what you’ve experienced through running will change your life in a wonderful and powerful way,” said Switzer.

Women are invited to join the 261 Fearless global community where they can experience the power of running with a support group and social network behind every step. 261 Fearless Clubs have highly trained coaches who have the ability to connect women new to running with experienced runners in a social atmosphere that supports lifelong healthy running and friendship.

All 261 Fearless Clubs are united under the same supportive mission and the members of every 261 Fearless Club throughout the world are connected via a private, digital communication platform. There are 261 Clubs established in the US, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Albania and New Zealand.

“I am thrilled to take the mission and legacy that Kathrine Switzer built over the last 50 years and continue to create opportunities for women to connect through running in our local community,” Rosy Spraker said. “We hope to continue to build strong FEARLESS women through our 261 Club and unite these women with like-minded women locally and throughout the world.”

For more information on the 261 Fearless Club DC Metro, please contact Rita Cheng at (301) 502-5306 and visit www.facebook.com/pg/261fearlessclubdcmetro/ or www.261fearless.org/join-261/clubs/dc-metrousa/

About 261 Fearless, Inc.

261 Fearless, Inc. is a global non-profit organization founded by pioneer runner, Kathrine Switzer. 261 Fearless uses running as a vehicle to empower and unite women globally through the creation of clubs, education opportunities, a communication platform, merchandising and events. Through these networking opportunities, 261 Fearless breaks down the barriers of geography and creates a global community for women runners of all abilities to support and talk to each other, encouraging healthy living and a positive sense of self and fearlessness. For more information please visit, www.261fearless.org

About Kathrine Switzer

Iconic athlete, sports and social advocate, author, and Emmy award-winning television commentator, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon. She has been honored widely for her achievements, most recently being inducted into the USA National Women’s Hall of Fame for creating positive social change. The ramifications of this work are both joyful and profound, changing forever the face of sports, health, and opportunities for women around the world. Now, through the non-profit 261 Fearless, Inc. and the simple activity of running, millions of women are being fearlessly empowered beyond the finish line. For more information about Kathrine, please visit www.261fearless.org

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