Leesburg, VA (November 4, 2025) - The Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Loudoun Hunger Relief, is hosting the 23rd annual Freeze Your Gizzard Cross Country 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, November 22. Runners of all skill levels and ages are invited to join this community tradition. 

The cross-county style 5K run will begin at 9 a.m. near the gazebo in the front field of Ida Lee Park. It will run through a scenic cross-country course along Ida Lee Park’s 138 acres. A 1-Mile Fun Run will begin at 10 a.m. Participants can register here for each race. Please note, no dogs, wagons, or baby strollers are allowed on the course due to uneven terrain.

All pre-registered 5k participants will receive a commemorative “Freeze Your Gizzard” long sleeve performance t-shirt. Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers as well as the top three male and female finishers of the 5k in each age category. One-mile participants will receive a commemorative medal at the finish line.

Participants are encouraged to help fill the Loudoun Hunger Relief food pantry by bringing non-perishable food items to packet pick up and/or on race day. In addition, participants can add a monetary donation to Loudoun Hunger Relief, when registering online. 

Parking for the event will be in the festival parking field and can only be accessed from North King Street (Business Route 15). There will be no access to race parking from Ida Lee Drive. For more information, please call 703-777-1368 or visit www.idalee.org.

Media Contact:
Leah Kosin
Assistant Public Information Officer
pio@leesburgva.gov
703-771-2781