Danville Parks and Recreation once again proved itself as an award-winning department, recently garnering the Best Promotional Effort Award at the Virginia Recreation and Park Society annual conference in Williamsburg for its efforts in promoting the Dirty Dan Dash mud run.
The event, which was new to the area in 2012, brought around 200 competitors and numerous spectators to the River District last November.
“We are extremely proud of this award and this event,” Parks and Recreation Department Director Bill Sgrinia said. “Our staff is dedicated to providing progressive recreational activities to the citizens of this community, and the Dirty Dan Dash, which is a department-wide effort, is just one example of that dedication.”
The event is a 3.7-mile run through Danville's River District, Dan Daniel Memorial Park and along the Riverwalk trail. The course features various obstacles, challenges and one nasty mud pit. On top of the recent award, the race also received recognition from the North Carolina-South Carolina Festival and Events Association for having the best t-shirt design.
“It is our goal to continue to provide events like this for the community,” Sgrinia said. “Not only are activities like the Dash focused on health and fitness, they are also a great way to attract visitors to our area so we can showcase our city and the exciting things that are going on in Danville.”
The department also has won Best New Program on multiple occasions, Best New Trail or Greenway and is a six-time recipient of the Playful City USA recognition.
For more information on Danville Parks and Recreation or the Dirty Dan Dash, visit www.PlayDanvilleVA.com. This year’s race will take place at 1 p.m. on Nov. 2. Registration will end on Oct. 31. For more information, visit www.DirtyDanDash.com.