Just A Normal Volte Opening Week of December: From 1K to 100 Miles

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Oh, yes, we're still racing

And everyone's running around with good cheer

It's the most wonderful time of the year

You know what they say, "Where's there a runner, there's a race."  

Ok, well, at least two runners.  

Almost like where Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

We seem to even perform better in a group, and with our friends.

Yes, Volte athletes - and friends - are still racing in December, and performing very nicely we might add.

Our folks put on a heck of a show at the Brazos Bend Trail Run in Brazos Bend State Park in Needville on Saturday, December 4 (and for two of the Murillos, Sunday, December 5).

Luis Murillo was first overall at the half marathon distance in 1:36:13.

Holly Benson and her friend from Katy, Heather Ziembo, finished together in the marathon in 4:57:15, where Heather took home the third overall award while Holly was first in her age group.

Well done, ladies, at Brazos Bend Marathon!
(Photo courtesy of Holly Benson)

Two of our longtime Woodlands Fit friends Randy Bradley and Michael Smith competed in the 50-mile race.

Randy was first across the line in 15:29:06 while Michael followed in 16:04:01.

Then, Juan and Jose Murillo topped off the day off in Fort Bend County with a pair of 100-mile finishes, finishing within 20 seconds of each other in 28 hours, 19 minutes and 16 seconds.  

(We'll let you ask them which one finished 20 seconds later officially!)

Going just a little shorter distance was the Park family at the Tavola Reindeer Run in New Caney.

Father and son, Jerritt and Brayden Park, both took home a second place age group award in the 5K with Brayden winning the family competition with a 19-minute flat while Dad posted an impressive 19:56 effort.

Daughter and sister Riley Park grinded out a 7:30 Tavola Reindeer Run 1K that was really more like 2K said Dad.

And Volte friend Dr. John Slate won his age group in the 5K in 24:12.

Professionally, we'd love to offer a shout out to John as he recently chaired the committee of his 100th doctoral student at Sam Houston State University to graduate.

In San Antonio the next morning, Sunday, December 5, Bill and Dana-Sue Crews ran the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Half Marathon.

Bill finished in 1:48:48, while Dana-Sue kept it under two in 1:58:35.

One of the success stories of the year was meted out by our friend and former Remission Run committee member Lisa Henthorn.

She worked diligently to train for the half marathon and lost a significant amount of weight and celebrated the birthdays of her sons, Zachary and Tyler.

While Zachary ran to his own half marathon time of 1:36:19, Tyler ran with his Mom the entire way as they finished in 2:59:50.

Our Woodlands Fit friend Mariela Rodriguez stopped the clock somewhere in between with a mark of 2:39:33.

The last running of The Woodlands Running Club Sunday Night 5K for 2021 took place on Sunday, December 5, to a small field of five athletes.

Jerritt Park led all runners in 21:42 while Chloe Kramer - having some time off between high school cross country and track seasons - was second overall and the first female in 25:37.

Strong and steady effort from Chloe Kramer, the daughter of our Mayra Caamano.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Our good friends from the Seven Hills Running Club also participated with David Keithley finishing in 26:35 and Ken Johnson doing well in 44:43.  

David's wife, Velvia, also ran with us.

Special thanks to Bill Dwyer for completing his 13th year of producing The Woodlands Running Club Sunday Night 5Ks up to 12 times a year for all of us.  Well done.

Volte friend Jon Walk picked up a Cajun double - back to "racing" after recovering from some left knee issues and a busy high school cross country announcing season - with a 32:59 finish in Dasher Dancer Prancer 5K in Carencro, Louisiana (just north of Lafayette) and a time of 1:07:45 in the Tiger 10K that finished on the field of LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

He drew a pair of courses that were just slightly long - Saturday's race measured 3.23 miles while the last .2 miles on Sunday's race were closer to .4 miles.