May 4, 2008 A number of runs are scheduled for the village of Wimberley The running scene moves to Wimberley for two weekends in a row. Next week is the Wimberley 4-Miler and 3K Fitness Walk. The four-mile run starts at Wimberley High School and then follows the scenic River Road along the river and turns up Green Acres Drive before heading back to the high school. The race has 5-year age groups from under 14 years to over 75 years. The race starts at 8:30 a.m., with registration before if you have not pre-registered. The cost to enter the race is $28 from now until race day. The race will be chip-timed for all runners. The proceeds from the race will go to several beneficiaries, with the primary one being Project Graduation. Secondary beneficiaries will be various schools in the district for necessary school projects. The course will be very scenic if you have not been along River Road before. There are some mildly rolling hills and Green Acres Drive is more of the same. The hills are not that intimidating for a runner, and it helps to remember that for every uphill there is always a downhill on the other side. Once you are over the hill at mile three, the course for the most part levels out and should be a nice finish on the track at the high school. It will be a great way to start a Mother’s Day celebration with an entry for Mom as a gift. The next race is also in Wimberley on Saturday, May 17th, at the Katherine Anne Porter School next to Green Acres Drive. Early registration until May 12th is $20, and then it is $25 up to the day of the race. The Dragon 5K is the name of the race, and it is an out-and-back course over Green Acres Drive with a finish at the school. There are 10-year age categories up to 60 years and over, with overall and age group winners. The race starts at 8 a.m. with registration on race day at 7:30 a.m. Proceeds from this race will go to the Science Department at the Katherine Anne Porter School. The course follows Green Acres Drive and has some of the same rolling hills that the Wimberley 4-Miler race has. The only difference is that the runner will be running out on the road first before heading back the way the other race did. Having pedaled the course for measurement, there is one relatively steep hill going out that will be a challenge. The nice part of the race is that there is a long gradual downhill leading up to it to really make up some time early in the race. And remember that for every uphill there is a downhill when you head back the other way. The one thing that really makes this race stand out is that the Wimberley Glassworks have provided the awards for the winners. These awards go the overall and age group winners and are truly outstanding works of art. You will not find a more unique and nicer-looking trophy at any other race. If you are a fast runner who usually places in your age group, you will want to enter this race for the award. The Overall Men’s and Women’s winners will be awarded a hand-blown glass bowl from Wimberley Glassworks. If you have not visited the Glassworks show room, you need to stop in and see what they have to offer. This award is one that you will want to display on a shelf somewhere. If you are not a fast runner or are a walker, it is still a good race to enter, and both races go to worthy causes for the schools in Wimberley. Both are very scenic runs that make them fun and different than running along city streets. The entry fee is in line with other races, and both have some nice-looking race shirts to wear after the race. And it’s always fun to shop and eat in Wimberley after the race as there is usually something for everybody to enjoy. Dr. Maurice Johnson - better known around San Marcos as “Moe” - is a professor in the Department of Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance at Texas State University - San Marcos. Moe has been a fixture in the San Marcos running community - both as a runner and race organizer - since way back when Moby Dick was a minnow. His column on running and fitness appears each Sunday in the Sports section of the San Marcos Daily Record. • Recent “Running With Moe” Columns • Home • About the Club • Current News • Club Runs • Places To Run • TX Running Clubs • Running Links • Useful Stuff Upcoming Races • Race Results • Country Roads 10K & Kids Run • ARA-Moe’s Better Half Marathon • “Running With Moe” Contact Us!