Area residents are encouraged to make plans now to attend the eighth annual Rappahannock River Run/Walk and Crafts Fair sponsored by the St. Margaret’s School Alumnae Association. This is the association’s largest community outreach program. Proceeds from these events support campus renovation and beautification.

The crafts fair will take place in front of St. Margaret’s Hall on Friday, October 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. “This is an important event from which our entire community benefits,” said Alumnae Director Leslie McBride. “We encourage people to visit the fair during their lunch breaks or any time during the day.” In case of inclement weather, the crafts fair will be held in the Ball Memorial Gymnasium on the school campus.

Area athletes should also register early for the eighth annual Rappahannock River Run/Walk to be held on Saturday, October 21 at 8:00 am. Advance registrants will receive an early-bird registration fee of $15, a $5 discount off the full fee of $20 on race-day. They are also guaranteed to receive an official race t-shirt.

This year, registering early is more convenient than in previous years. You may register online at www.sms.org/run using a credit card, or you may print out a participant form from the school’s website, complete it, and mail it with a check payable to St. Margaret's School for $15.00 to the following address: St. Margaret’s School, P.O. Box 158, Tappahannock, VA 22560, Attn: Leslie McBride.

Race day registration will also be available from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. in front of St. Margaret’s Hall on Water Lane. The race will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.

Participants can run or walk the 3-mile flat, fast course which begins and ends at St. Margaret’s School and goes through Tappahannock’s historic district. Douglass Marshall of Newport News won the 2005 race with an overall winning time of 15:56, followed by Bennett Sweren of Lutherville, MD (18:22), David Smith of Tappahannock (19:46), Mark Sisk of Richmond (22:58) and Jared Sullivan of Warsaw (23:12). The women’s division was led by SMS student Taylor Miller of Warrenton with an overall time of 21:09. Tappahannock resident Julia Smith was close behind in 22:17 to place fifth overall. SMS student Aubrey Sozer (22:59), assistant hockey coach Laura Dusablon (23:11) and freshman Caroline Casey (23:27) rounded out the women’s top five.

The race will be followed by a “Water Lane Dash” for the younger set. The event will conclude with prizes awarded in a variety of age categories.

Sponsors to date include: Avolon, Aylett Country Day School, Bank of Essex, Bank of Lancaster, Burke’s Jewelry, CHAC, Chesapeake Academy, Design Printing, Esquire Services, Inc., Essex Inn, EVB, Harborside Storage, Java Jack’s, Lowery’s, Northern Neck Gourmet, Panoply Computers, People’s Community Bank, Dr. William Ryan, Woodland Academy, and WRAR. For more information about the crafts fair, race, or sponsorship opportunities, contact Leslie McBride at (804) 443-3357.