The Cloud Run

The Cloud Run celebrates the data center industry in this region and seeks to build connections between data center professionals, jobseekers, and our neighbors in the community. While held at a warmer time of the year, the Cloud Run commemorates International Data Center Day. Click here for more information

The Cloud Run is where the data center industry and our local community come together as one.

The Cloud Run & Community Festival is a fun annual event that brings together IT professionals, neighbors, charities, students and families to learn more about our global-leading industry.

Did you know that every educational, entertainment and professional digital communication has a physical location for storage? “The cloud” lives inside data centers, and our industry works every day to keep pace with demand, and strives for uptime reliability of 99.999%.

The 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter comprises the professionals who design, construct, maintain, and staff these centers, so you can enjoy all aspects of your connected life.

On Saturday, May 10, 2025 the 7x24 DC Chapter is hosting the third annual Cloud Run and Community Festival in Ashburn, VA.

Not only will you and your children enjoy a 5K run/walk and 1-mile fun run around "Data Center Alley", you can explore the Data Center Discovery Zone, Kid Zone, and Community Festival!

Shop from local vendors, eat local food, and enjoy the hands-on learning stations about Data Centers, including the five nines of reliability, and the numerous career paths available in the data center industry.

Participants of all ages and academic levels will have the chance to meet Data Center experts to talk about skills/traits, scholarships, internships, trade programs, and other pathways to enter this lucrative industry while engaging in fun hands-on activities.

After the race, there will be a post-race party with food trucks, a vendor expo, and music. Please plan on spending the day with us for you and the whole family. 

Race Location
Quantum Park - Site Entrance: UUNet Drive at Loudoun County Parkway
22001 Loudoun County Parkway
Sterling, VA 20166

Race Day Schedule
Packet pickup opens at 6:30 am
Discovery Zone & Expo from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
1 Mile Fun Run starts at 8:30 am
5K starts at 9:00 am
Post race party from 9:45 am - 1:00 pm

Course
The looped road race will start and finish at Quantum Park where there is ample parking available on site. There will be a water stop about half-way through and lots of fun along the way! Porta potties will be available at the start and finish of the race.

SWAG and Awards
Commemorative T-shirts will be included with your race fee. This will be a chip timed race and awards for the top 3 male and female overall finishers, as well as the top 3 male and female finishers in the following age groups: 9 & under, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & Over. Participation awards will also be provided for the top schools with the most registrants!

Registration Fees including swag & food/drink vouchers
4.99999K (Adults): $25 through April 30
                               $30 through Race Day
4.99999K (Kids, ≤14): $15 through April 30 
                                    $20 through Race Day
1 Mile Fun Run: $10 through April 30
                           $15 through Race Day

Online registration will close on Thursday, May 8 at 8:00 pm. Late registrations will be available during packet pickup and on race morning.

Packet pick up will be at =PR= Run & Walk One Loudoun (20432 Exchange St. Ashburn, VA 20147) Friday, May 9 from 4:00-7:00 pm. Then again at the race site on Saturday, May 10 starting at 6:30 am.

Did you know?
● For every job inside a Virginia data center, there are 4.1 additional jobs that are supported in the rest of the Virginia economy.
● Every $1.00 generated by data centers and spent in Loudoun County provided $13.20 in tax revenue.
● The data center industry is responsible for $73M worth of education funding for Loudoun County.
● Data Centers are directly and indirectly responsible for generating $174M in state revenue and $1 Billion in local tax revenue in Virginia.
● According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual private sector wage in the data center industry saw a 120% increase in the last 20 years (from $61,1117 to $134,308).
● 7x24 DC Chapter donated approximately $70K to local charities (Mobile Hope, Women Giving Back, Gary Sinise Foundation, Loudoun Education Foundation, JK Community Farms, and Boulder Crest – to name a few) and $50K in scholarships to 16 students.

The Cloud Run is more than just a race, it is a way for the Data Center Industry to come together with residents, businesses, and schools to promote the variety of commerce in Loudoun County. We hope to see you there! Click here for more information. If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please visit www.7x24dc.org