Cloud Run Draws 450 to Northern Virginia Data Center Hub

By AI, Created 11:36 PM UTC, June 01, 2026, /AGP/ – Hundreds of runners, families and tech workers gathered in Ashburn for the 2026 Cloud Run, a community event tied to Northern Virginia’s data center industry. The race supported local food assistance and scholarships while highlighting the industry’s economic footprint and community role.

Why it matters: - The Cloud Run connects Northern Virginia’s data center industry with the communities that live alongside it in Data Center Alley. - The event raises money for food assistance and student scholarships while highlighting the industry’s role in jobs, infrastructure and local economic activity. - Organizers framed the race as both a community tradition and a way for the technology sector to give back.

What happened: - Hundreds of runners, families, students, technology professionals and local residents gathered Saturday morning for the 2026 Cloud Run in Ashburn, Virginia. - The 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter hosted the event at Quantum Park. - The event drew about 450 participants, including teams from Northern Virginia’s data center and technology ecosystem. - The day included a 1-mile family fun run and a 4.99999K race, a distance chosen as a nod to “five nines” reliability, or 99.999% uptime. - A post-race networking gathering took place at Lost Rhino Brewing Company across Red Rum Drive from the run site.

The details: - The Cloud Run celebrates the people behind digital infrastructure while supporting neighbors facing food insecurity. - The data center industry supports tens of thousands of jobs across the region and generates billions in economic activity. - The industry powers streaming services, financial transactions, healthcare systems, artificial intelligence and remote work. - Karen Petersburg, president of the 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter, said the event gives participants a chance to step outside their facilities, engage with neighbors and support the communities that support industry growth. - Petersburg said thousands of engineers, construction workers, electricians, operators, tradespeople, cybersecurity professionals, educators and support teams keep the modern world connected. - Industry professionals used the event and afterparty to discuss career pathways, emerging technologies and local partnerships as the region grows. - Lillian Rivera, executive director and secretary of the 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter, said the event reflects the local impact of the industry and its responsibility to invest in community well-being. - Proceeds from the event will again benefit America’s Soup Kitchen, formerly Dulles South Soup Kitchen, which provides meals and food assistance to people and families facing food insecurity across the region. - The 7x24 DC Chapter has donated nearly $100,000 to the soup kitchen in recent years through Cloud Run donations and other support drives and volunteer events. - Devina Mahapatra, founder of America’s Soup Kitchen, said the partnership helps local families access meals and support at a time of rising costs and food insecurity. - The event also supports the NOVA Foundation and 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter Scholarship funds. - The scholarship funds provide financial assistance to students pursuing careers in information technology, engineering, construction management and other mission-critical infrastructure fields.

Between the lines: - The race is doing more than fundraising. It is also a relationship-building event for an industry that depends on local acceptance, workforce pipelines and regional growth. - The use of a “five nines” race distance turns a technical reliability benchmark into a community brand marker. - The turnout suggests the event is becoming a visible bridge between the data center sector and residents who live near its footprint.

What’s next: - Proceeds from this year’s event will support America’s Soup Kitchen, the NOVA Foundation and 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter scholarship programs. - The 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter says the Cloud Run will continue as a community and industry gathering tied to education, workforce development and philanthropy. - More information is available at 7x24dc.org.