April 4, 2010 Local, competitive races coming up soon For those runners who like to enter the competitive races as a change of pace from running for fun around the neighborhoods, the next two months will provide plenty of opportunity for that. Starting on Saturday, April 10, the Chapa 5K Challenge out at the Chapa Middle School in Kyle gives the runner a nice country road run, with a few challenging hills thrown in for some scenic views. Then the Statesman Capitol 10,000 will take place the next day on Sunday, April 11 for a chance to run in the largest 10K race in Texas. It is tough to run fast in this race because of the large number of runners; but for a fun run and lots of companionship during a run, this is the one to enter. As a middle-of-the-road runner with average times, I found it is more fun to get in the back, have a great time with other average and slow runners, and run alongside some of the costumes and cadence groups. Backing off the large turnout races, a runner has a chance to enter the KAPS Dragon 5K in Wimberley on April 17 at the Katherine Anne Porter School. This run is an out-and-back course on one of the country side roads near the school. What makes this race unique is that the Wimberley Glass Works provide the awards for winners. One overall winner mentioned last year, “I am glad I got the award this year, because when this gets out, everyone will be here next year.” Coming in the next week on May 24, runners have a chance to choose between two races. The Texas Round-Up 10K/5K is in Austin, and is another big race with lots of side attractions to go along with it. A run that will probably have fewer runners, but be much more scenic, is the Fredericksburg Wildflower 10K/5K run in Fredericksburg. There is usually a very colorful race shirt that goes along with this run. To start the month of May, runners can stay right here in San Marcos for the May Day 5K Scholarship Run on May 1. The run starts at Hernandez Intermediate School and follows an out-and-back course along Stagecoach Road. The run out is a little uphill, but that makes for a fast and easy return to the finish line as it is mostly downhill. This is getting to be an increasing popular run for local runners and is a well organized event. New Braunfels enters the running scene on May 8 with the Dos Rios 5K in the Landa Park area. This is a nice run around the roads near the park area. One race that gets a lot of attention for local runners takes place on May 15 with the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon in Corpus Christi. If you think a run with 1,500 runners is big, try having that many six-member relay teams running down the road. Each runner puts in around four miles or so; and it takes a well-organized effort with a good support crew to enjoy this run. The festivities that are held before and after the race are where many of the runners go after the race, and enjoy a weekend on the beach with other runners. This race may close early; so if you want to be a part of this run, you need to get your six-member team together soon and enter your team. San Marcos usually has several teams going down for the run, with a couple of teams entering fast runners for a good time, and other teams enter just to be part of the fun weekend. Rounding out the month of May, there is the Navarro Duck Fest 5K in Geronimo on May 22 that is close by, just down the road a few miles, for a fun run on county roads. On May 29, runners can stay right here in San Marcos for a new run out at Country Estates for the Faith Run 5K put on by the First United Methodist Church. David Alexander is working out a new course for runners that will be very scenic and fun. The racing scene is in full swing and offers plenty of opportunities to get some more T-shirts for the summer, as well as enjoying the company of runners from all over the central Texas area. Have a great summer of racing. 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!