Volte Loves The Lone Star State. Really.

Probably the first weekend in many that Volte or its friends didn't venture outside of the Lone Star state to race.

In fact, Juan Flores and the Murillo boys were the only ones to leave Montgomery or Harris counties.

At Saturday's Hells Hills Trail Run in Smithville, Juan covered the 25-kilometer course in 2:25:48.

Volte friend Gostavo Murillo was second overall in 1:55:45 while Juan Murillo finished just in front of Flores in 2:19:28.

Jose Murillo was the first overall Masters finisher in the 10K in 59:39.

Closer to home, Penny Garza and the Hanyzewskis ran around Minute Maid Park on Saturday, April 1.

Brian paced his wife, Laura, for the first half of the Run Houston Minute Maid Park 10K before she took off and finished 47 seconds ahead of him to grab third place in her age group -- and a new personal best - with a 50:47 effort.

Laura Hanyzewski stands proud with a third place age group award -- and a PR!
(Photo courtesy of Penny Garza)

His consolation prize was a first time finish at the distance in 51:34.

Penny ran the 5K in 29:46.

Although she admitted that she wasn't the most excited about her time, Garza maintains the proper perspective.

"While this morning did not go as planned, I got to celebrate a third place finish with one of my favorite run couples/friends, " she said, speaking of the Hanyzewskis.  "I finished standing on two feet, laughed until my side hurt, and at the end of the day, I'm still more than two minutes faster per mile than I was eight months ago."

Winner, winner chicken dinner.  Grilled, of course.

With a race director's report forthcoming, Conroe High School assistant principal Randy Harris directed the CHS Alumni Association 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run.

He said at the track Wednesday night that the race raised more than $8,000 for deserving Conroe High School seniors.

After ensuring everything was set and ready to go, Randy even got to run it, finishing first in his age group in 19:43.

Volte friends Barry and Fran Blanton - and Conroe High alums - finished in 28:53 and 26:27, respectively, to take third and first in their age groups.

Later in the afternoon near Creekside Park in The Woodlands, Leanne Dyksterhius grabbed second in her division with a 23:33 time at the 10th annual Muddy Trails Bash 5K.

This after she ran with her daughter in the one-kilometer kids' race - her first race ever.

No Boundaries alums Bubba and Sandy Priesmeyer finished The Woodlands Parks and Recreation-produced race together in 46:19.

Volte friend Jon Walk announced Muddy Trails after running the Memorial Park Conservancy Brunch Run 4-Miler earlier in the morning at Houston's Memorial Park in 39:21.

The following day, Sunday, April 2, at The Woodlands Running Club Sunday Night 5K, held at Barbara Bush Elementary in The Woodlands, it was the Voltes vs. the Friends.

Six Volte runners versus six Volte friends.

We took it easy on our friends.  We want them to come back and run with us, right?

Weir leads neither Volte nor friend across the finish line Sunday night.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Chris Weir led all runners with a winning time of 20:50, followed closely by Jerritt Park in 21:11.  Mayra Caamano was the first female in 22:17, while Carrie Hyde, Tammy Grado and Sally Buckalew got their Sunday workout in with a controlled 27:42 effort.

Mayra Caamano is a few steps in front of another interloper at Sunday night's race.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Our friends were led by Edson Jones, who was fifth overall, in 22:32.  Elijah Kelly and Curtis Barton were two seconds apart in 24:48 and 24:50, respectively.  Mike Kelly finished ahead of the ladies in 27:22 as Ken Johnson and Walk ran together, covering the course in 37:43.

Johnson, meanwhile, was at the starting line of the Alamo Run Fest 13.1 Half Marathon on Saturday when it was cancelled because of threatening weather that was to come through San Antonio during the race.