The annual race at Ida Lee Park brings runners and families together while helping stock the shelves of a local food pantry.
LEESBURG, VA — One of Leesburg’s longtime fall traditions is returning to Ida Lee Park on Saturday, November 21, as runners of all ages prepare for the 24th annual Freeze Your Gizzard Cross Country 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run.
Organized by the Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Loudoun Hunger Relief, the event combines a morning of outdoor exercise with an opportunity to help local families struggling to put food on the table.
The 5K begins at 9 a.m. near the gazebo in the front field of Ida Lee Park. Unlike a typical road race, the course takes runners across the park’s 138 acres of open space, offering a cross-country experience through one of Leesburg’s best-known recreational areas.
For younger runners, families and those looking for a shorter distance, the 1-Mile Fun Run starts at 10 a.m.
The event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, whether they are experienced runners hoping to improve their times or residents simply looking to enjoy a morning outdoors.
All pre-registered 5K participants will receive a commemorative long-sleeve performance shirt. Awards will go to the top three overall male and female finishers, along with the top three male and female runners in each age category. Participants in the 1-Mile Fun Run will receive a commemorative medal when they cross the finish line.
Running to Help Loudoun Families
Beyond the competition, the Freeze Your Gizzard event provides an opportunity to support Loudoun Hunger Relief, a nonprofit organization that helps residents facing food insecurity.
Participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations when picking up their race packets or on race day. Those registering online can also make a financial contribution directly to Loudoun Hunger Relief.
The partnership is particularly meaningful as the holiday season approaches, when many families face additional financial pressures and local food assistance organizations work to meet community needs.
For a county that has experienced decades of rapid growth and rising living costs, events like Freeze Your Gizzard offer a reminder that not every Loudoun household shares equally in the area’s prosperity.
What Runners Need to Know
Race organizers are reminding participants that the cross-country course includes uneven terrain. For safety reasons, dogs, wagons and baby strollers will not be permitted on the course.
Parking will be available in the festival parking field, accessible only from North King Street (Business Route 15). Drivers should be aware that there will be no access to race parking from Ida Lee Drive.
With the event taking place in late November, runners should also plan for potentially chilly morning temperatures and dress appropriately for an outdoor race.
How to Register
Registration is available online through RunSignup.
Residents looking for additional information can visit Ida Lee Park’s website or contact the Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department at 703-777-1368.
For longtime Loudoun residents, Freeze Your Gizzard is another opportunity to enjoy the open space that makes Ida Lee Park a valued part of the Leesburg community. And for everyone who participates, it is a chance to turn a morning run into something that benefits neighbors throughout the county.
