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They were off and running at Cowtown
A record 21,000 registered for The Cowtown's multi events on Feb. 27. A just-right-for-running morning greeted the runners and walkers in downtown Fort Worth as temperatures began in the low 40s and rose toward the 50s. See a report.
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This family has made running a day to enjoy
Maria Martinez, left, Victor Palma, back center, and Eva Contreras are not only competitive runners, but they have made running a family activity. Usually, three of Eva's four children will run and both of Maria's will. Maria's daughter Daisy, 14, (in the dark/light pink jacket) has been posting some fast times since she was 12. Maria and Eva, sisters, have been running competitively for only a relatively short time, but already they've logged quite a list of achievements.
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By Charles Clines
While some family's activities might include watching TV together and chomping on snacks, sisters Maria Martinez and Eva Contreras take their children to road races to run. ``It's our family activity,'' said Maria, who has become one of the DFW's better runners since she began running competitively about three years ago. They said the races are ``our family time and it's a healthy activity.''
``I think they enjoy just as much coming to the park (Trinity Park) and having fun,'' said Eva, who also has become one of the better runners since she began competitive running about a year and a half ago. ``And I think they want to be like mom and dad...run fast, wear bibs and look like actual runners.'' Eva has four children from ages 14 to 4 and Maria has two from ages 14 to 9. Her daughter Daisy, 14, already has posted some fast times since she was 12 and is gaining back speed after taking some time off from competitive running. ``I think she was getting burned out a little,'' Maria said.
Maria began running when husband Victor Palma ``made her.'' She said it wasn't much fun at first, but now ``I'm addicted to it.''
``Now I can't stop her,'' Victor said.
`It's our addiction,'' Eva said. It must be considering their devotion to the sport. She and Maria must fit in their training runs about 4:30 in the mornings before they have to get their children ready for school.
Maria has run four marathons and won the Fiesta Marathon in December (2009) in Victor's home town of McAllen. She ran a 3:32, about two minutes slower than her PR she set at the Fort Worth Marathon a month before Fiesta. She and Eva are planning to run the Cowtown Marathon. Eva has run seven marathons and set her PR of 3:04 in her first attempt at the 2008 San Antonio Marathon.
Both were not complete novices when they started running competitively, though. They said their dad had taken them running since they were about six years old. They would run about a mile or mile and a half. ``And that's a long way when your six and seven,'' Maria said. Neither ran track or cross country when in school.
Eva said she jumped into a competitive mode when she began trying to catch Daisy. ``I told her I'd catch her one day. It took me a little while, but I finally did.''
Their most recent marathon was at Waco on Jan. 31. Even through Maria won the 30-34 age division and Eva was second in the 35-39 division, both ran almost an extra mile after taking a wrong turn. ``We were running together, talking and just having fun,'' Maria said. Instead of paying attention to the markings on the course, they followed two men in front of them when they made a turn, except it was the wrong way. After it finally dawned on everyone they were going the wrong way, then retraced their steps to return to the course. They figure they ran about 27.1 miles that morning.
Victor ran track in McAllen and said their teams usually qualified for state. He said he is nursing a sore knee and will miss Cowtown. He has run three marathons and has a 3:04. His goal is to dip under the three-hour mark and he wants to run Boston in 2011. Victor said his kids were introduced early to running when he'd take them out in jogging strollers. And they've been going out ever since. ``They like it.''
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Pierce wins Austin Marathon
Keith Pierce of Cedar Park, winner of the past three Cowtown Marathons, added the Austin Marathon to his victory list on Sunday (Feb. 14). Pierce, who's unable to run Cowtown on Feb. 27 because of his school's cross country conflicts, entered the Austin Marathon instead and won in 2:20:35. Pierce, who was coaching in Krum last year, won Cowtown last year in a course record time of 2:25:13. See marathon results.
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Snow outlines the Haltom course
There was plenty of snow off the roads, but the course for the Haltom Stampede on Saturday (Feb. 13) morning was clear, though wet in places. Fortunately, the temperature didn't drop below freezing overnight as had been forecast so there was no ice to contend with on the 5K run. See a slideshow and race report. See results.
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Tal Morrison, founder of the Dallas Running Club (then the Cross Country Club of Dallas), stands with four of the recipients of scholarships presented by the Tal Morrison Scholarship Fund. Morrison, 89, presented $12,000 worth of scholarships to six DISD students who run cross country after the DRC Tal Morrison 15K, 5K on Saturday (Feb. 6). The funds are raised each year at the DRC Half, other DRC events and private donations. See the winners with their checks.
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Beisner almost nails his prediction
Joe Beisner had aimed for a sub 49:30 at the DRC Tal Morrison 15K on Saturday morning (Feb.6), and finished close enough with a 49:37.55 to be happy with the result considering a tough headwind he battled the final mile. His effort was good enough to win the male title with Kimplimo Chemirmir, who finished in 51:31.47, coming in second. Vanessa Kelley won the women's division with a 1:03:47.26 while Sandra Ricaud finished second in 1:05:12.75. In the 5K at the event conducted at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake, Kenny Stice had to battle Noe Nunez and Patrick Renoult before taking the male title in 17:34.93. Nunez crossed the line in 17:38.91 and Renoult in 17:41.91. Christell Baum also had to turn back Katie Bouton before winning the women's title in 20:23.47 to 20:37.36. See the results. Also, See pictures from the event. Photos were submitted by Jose Lopez.
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Area runners hit it big in Waco
Dallas-Fort Worth area runners enjoyed success at the Miracle Match Waco Marathon on Sunday (Jan. 31). Debbie Arzola-James of Allen, a two-time winner of the xSIGHTment 5K in Colleyville among her other area victories, came home with the biggest prize as she won the women's title with a 3:09:38.6. Although Kiplimo Chemirmir of Flower Mound, winner of the Fort Worth Marathon last November, couldn't maintain the pace to catch men's winner James Cheruiyot, he did finish second with a PR of 2:37:36.5. Cheruiyot finished in 2:34:28.9. Other area runners who did well included Maria Martinez of Fort Worth, winner of the Fiesta Marathon in McAllen in December, who won the 30-34 women's age division with a 3:54:48.7. She, Eva Contreras of Fort Worth and Kim Gray of Arlington ran together most of the race. Contreras finished second in the 35-39 division with a 3:54:48.3 and Gray came in third with a 3:57:41.5. Martinez and Gray had run the Lake Benbrook Half Marathon the day before. Also, Chris Crawford of Dallas won the 45-49 men's division with a 3:09:21.9; Dave Emerson of Coppell took the 50-54 men's title with a 3:09:33.6 and John Ross of Fort Worth won the 60-64 division with a 3:59:51.
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Record crowd braved the "cold"
During the past 11 years, the LGRAW's Bold In The Cold event has shivered through some nippy mornings, like last year when the temperature was in the mid-30s. Not this year. The 12th annual event unfolded in almost perfect weather (about mid-50s, no wind and overcast) on Saturday morning (Jan. 23), and a record crowd of more than 1,000 participated in the 15K and 5K. A couple of masters runners, Ken Hall of Colleyville and Fiona Green of Keller, won their overall respective male and female 15K divisions. It was Fiona's third consecutive time to win the women's 15K. In the 5K, Flower Mound High senior Connor Adams won the male title for the second consecutive year, and Colleen Casey of Grapevine won the female title. See story and slideshow. See Results.
Bundled up and ready
The cold, breezy weather (almost 30 degrees at race time) didn't deter runners at the Lake Benbrook Half Marathon and 5K on Saturday (Jan. 30) morning. There were even 78 who registered in the morning to bring the total of registered runners/walkers to 601. And what wasn't too like? Besides the nippy temperature that had most everyone dressed in several layers of clothing, there were icy patches and at one place on the half course, there was a inch of water running across the course that participants had to splash through. After the runs, though, there was a nice payoff as chili, hot chocolate and nachos were being served. See story and video. See results.
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In Dallas, Megan Skeels of Fort Worth was the first across the finish line at the Texas Half and 5K on Saturday (Jan. 30), running a 1:20:35. Male winner Josh Terry of Dallas finished in 1:21:12. The races were at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake.
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Congratulations to Cowtown Marathon three-time winner Keith Pierce for his 1:06:33 (a PR) and seventh place finish at the 3M Half Marathon in Austin on Sunday (Jan. 24), and to Debbie James-Arzola, who was the eighth female with a 1:19:12. Other top efforts from area runners included Kiplimo Chemirmir with a 1:09:51, Craig Ottman with a 1:15:28, and Vanessa Kelley with a 1:29:23.
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Bruno needs a home and a running partner
Bruno is looking for a running buddy whom he can accompany on daily training runs. An excellent pacer, good motivator and great listener, he guarantees you will be running new PRs in no time.
After spending two long months in an area shelter, Bruno, a young mixed, breed dog, was rescued in the nick of time and over the past few months has re-learned how to trust people and have fun again. He is now ready for his forever home with a loving person or family. Energetic, playful and affectionate, he enjoys nothing more than a good tummy rub. He loves attention and is looking for a home where he can be the only dog and have you all to himself. Bruno is neutered and current on all routine shots. For more information, please call Frances McKissick at 214-803-6459 (cell). Photo submitted by Fiona Green.
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Have a good neighbor?
Do you know someone who should be in the newly resurrected Neighbors feature? Though runners/walkers will be added on a periodic basis, please suggest someone who is a frequent competitor in D-FW road races. Please e-mail the name and, if you know, how to contact the person. Also, if you already are in the Neighbors and need to update any information (such as PRs), please e-mail the information. Thanks.
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