DOWN THE STRETCH TRACK FEST

May 24, 2025 | George Mason University

4x8 - Mile - 5k - 10k - On the Track!

THANKS FOR A GREAT MEET! SEE YOU AT THE RUN UNBRIDLED TRACK FEST

We welcomed nearly 800 runners, coaches, spectators and supporters at this year’s Down the Stretch Track Fest! Thank you for coming out and supporting track in our community. We saw a new world record in the 4x800m relay, thrilling mile races including five men breaking 4-minutes and many more amazing performances throughout the night. We hope to see you again on June 14 at the Run Unbridled Track Fest.

2025 RESULTS

PHOTO GALLERIES:

Ted Plunkett / Madison Neuner / Nathen Lopez

Our 2025 beneficiary is Girls on the Run Northern Virginia. A portion of our proceeds will go to GOTR to support future programming.

The Webb Mile

BEER BY ASLIN!

MEET MERCH

MUSIC ALL NIGHT!

GA Tickets & Trackside Seating

If you’re not competing, volunteering, pacing or coaching - you need a GA ticket!

Your purchase supports Light Horse Track Club, a northern Virginia nonprofit running team dedicated to supporting runners of all levels and enhancing the DC-metro area running scene.

Runner and Event information!

We’re excited to offer fast races for all in a festive atmosphere. Grab a PR and then grab an Aslin beer!

  • All ages are welcome to run. You will be asked for a “seed time” use any recent time or you can estimate your current ability.

  • We will thoughtfully arrange the heats based on entry times, with the fastest runners in our Select heats.

  • Open races will be men and women combined, and select races will have women's races first, followed by men's.

  • The facility will open at an hour and a half before the first event

  • The GMU Fieldhouse will be open as well

  • Food and drink will be available for purchase, including Aslin beer. We will have a separate beer line & more food trucks this year!

  • Any person not competing, volunteering, or pacing will need a GA spectator ticket

  • Children four and under get in free.

  • You can leave and re-enter the facility.

  • No outside food or drink besides water or sports nutritional items is allowed. Bags are allowed.

HEATS/SECTIONS

  • Preliminary heats will be released on the Friday before the meet, but will be updated the day-of the meet due to scratches.

  • The open 5k will have two sections; you must be able to maintain a 10:00 pace

  • The open mile will have 7-8 sections; you must be able to run a 10:00 mile or faster

  • We will not have an open 10k this year. The women’s select section cutoff is 45:00, and the men’s is 35:00

CHECK-IN PROCEDURE

  • Please check-in as soon as you get to the meet and pick up your bib number & hip number. If you do not check in, you will be scratched.

  • 15-minutes prior to your race return to the check-in area to get your starting assignment. Secure your hip number with safety pins. Be RACE READY at this point.

  • After your final check-in, you will head as a group to the track for your race. As soon as one race finishes, the next one begins.

BAG DROP AREA

  • We will have an official bag drop area at our check-in tent this year. There will be a tear-off adhesive tag on your bib number that you can stick onto your bag.

OPEN RACES

  • Our open races are for anyone who can maintain a 10:00 pace or faster in the 5k, or mile.

  • You’re guaranteed a fast, flat course with no 90 or 180-degree turns! Whether you’ve never run a track race before or you’ve run a hundred, you are welcome here.

  • We will run two heats of the open 5k and either or nine heats of the open mile. You will be placed in a heat based on your seed time.

  • Heats will run slowest to fastest and will be men and women combined.

YOUTH MILE

  • Open to any child 13 & Under who can maintain a 15:00 mile or faster.

  • We’ll run one section and combine boys & girls

  • Grab $5 GA Tickets for your runner(s) and family (goes up to $10 at the gate)

SELECT RACES:

We are building up our fields for the select races! We are anticipating winning times around the following. We will update this as entries and commitments continue to come in.

  • Women's Webb Mile: Sub 4:30

  • Women's 5000: Sub 15:30

  • Women's 10000: Sub 34:00

  • Men's Webb Mile: Sub 3:55

  • Men’s 5000: Sub 14:00

  • Men's 10000: Sub 30:00

AWARDS

  • We will have prize money for the Webb Mile: $350-$100-$50

  • Winners of each section get the coveted green apple! Who’s walking away with an apple this year?

SPECTATOR TICKETS

  • If you’re not racing, coaching, pacing, or volunteering, you will need a spectator ticket (including all youth mile runners). Children under 4 get in free. We may reach capacity this year - buy your tickets ahead of time and secure your spot!

  • $5 General Admission tickets are now on sale - price increase to $10 on the day-of and at the gate. Buy them now & save!

  • Now introducing Trackside Seating! Limited to 100 people, get up close to the action. Tickets are $30 and include a complimentary beer or another beverage plus your own seat. Price increases to $40 on the day of & at the gate.

  • Get your tickets here

DIRECTIONS / PARKING:

  • 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 - the outdoor track and field complex is behind the fieldhouse. Enter “George Mason University Fieldhouse” into your GPS

  • Parking is available adjacent to the track

  • Check out driving directions and construction/traffic alerts.

  • The nearest airports to campus are Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Washington Reagan Airport (DCA). Shuttles are available through private companies, as are cabs.

  • George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus is accessible via Metro Bus and Cue Bus (Fairfax City bus). Mason is also located near the Vienna/Fairfax/GMU Metro stop, and Mason provides regular shuttles from the Metro stop to campus. Check out shuttle and bus information.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

  • Any food or beverage except for water or sport nutritional food or drink.

  • Weapons (including, without limitation, pocket knives), fireworks, and other illegal drugs and substances

  • Animals (except service animals)

  • Beach balls and other inflatable items

  • Laser pens and laser pointers

  • Skateboards, hoverboards, scooters for non-ADA use, and wheeled footwear

  • Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles

  • Toy guns or toy knives (including, without limitation, water guns)

  • Any other item deemed dangerous or inappropriate

FINAL SCHEDULE

(Times we’ll delay the meet for if we’re running ahead of schedule are bolded)

5:20 - Youth 4x100 Relay

5:25 - Open Mile, 1st section: 

5:38 - Open Mile, 2nd section

5:46 - Open Mile, 3rd section

5:54 - Open Mile, 4th section

6:02 - Open mile, 5th section

6:10 - Open mile, 6th section

6:18 - Open mile, 7th section

6:25 - Youth Mile

6:45 - Open 5k, 1st section

7:20 - Open 5k, 2nd section

7:45 - 4x800 Relay (one section)

8:05 - National Anthem

8:15 - Select 5k, Womens

8:35 - Select 5k, Mens

9:00 - Open Mile, 8th Section

9:10 - Women’s Webb Mile

9:20 - Men’s Webb Mile

9:30 - Men’s/Women’s Select 10k