INTRO AND SHORT VERSION REPORT

I am Scott aka Scottydog aka Scotty Dogg, runner since 1983, cancer survivor, retired Air Force, employee of University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), friend of dogs, fun-runner, and all-around goofball.  In 2003 I had spinal arthritis flare up and ever since then I’ve done the run/walk method since it hurts my back too much now to run continuously with no walk breaks.  I’m on what I call my “2F Plan” which stands for Fun and Finish.  At events that I now do for fun I carry my camera, chase “Great Legs” to help motivate my slow old man self to keep moving forward, and take pictures before, during, and after the race. Sometimes I even get a nice post-race sweaty hug from one of the Great Legs ladies.   I then do a pictorial race report of my events.  I also carry dog biscuits with me to treat any dogs I may meet at a run, hence my nickname “Scottydog.” Here is yet another of my Race Reports With Photos, and my thanks to all the people I interacted with for their graciousness and good humor in letting me take photos of them

This was Race number 24 for me for the year 2015.   Held on May 9, 2015, this event is named for Jon Carl Stephenson who died of SIDS in 2002.  His family began this event to honor all who lost a child from any cause.  The race helps fund SIDS research and supports families struggling with the loss of a child.  The loss of any child, and especially an infant child, is a terrible thing, as I know from personal experience, so this race has special meaning for me.  And for others too, I'm sure.   Participants that do this one get very involved and there are a lot of teams out there, each team honoring its own special person.   This year was the 13th year for this event.  I don't think I've done all 13 of them, but I have done the majority of them.  213 finishers in the 5K and there was also a kids' run for the little kids and one for the bigger 'little kids" and a 2-mile "stroll."   I ended up finishing in 33:33, good enough for 3rd in my age group.   Weather was kind of cooperative.  Thunderstorms threatening and we had a couple of rumbles of thunder before we started, but no rain ever appeared.  However, it was VERY humid - 97% - and the dew-point was in the 70s and the skies remained dark...and there was a lotta sweatin' going on out there on the course.  By about the 2-mile mark, I was hoping Mother Nature would rain on us a bit, lol, just to cool us down a bit.

LONG VERSION  REPORT WITH PHOTOS

Before the Start

I live fairly close to the race venue and with an 8:30 am. start, got to sleep in a bit more than I usually do for a race, so that was nice. Arrived at the race venue with about 45 minutes to start time and began doing my photo-taking ofthe venue area, and the participants, volunteers, etc.

Wheatley Heights is a very nice sports complex with stadium, football field, very nice track.  Lots of various events held here through the year.

AthleteGuild did the course setup and results timing

Some of the participants, volunteers, supporters, etc.

team RWB in the house!

Nice to see one of my 'running crushes" and favorite people, Bernadette, at this event

Another 'running crush" and favorite person of mine, Sherri...with some guy... 

This is the dog version of my Siamese cat....white and blue eyes..

Before we started, there was a balloon release, with the balloon tails carrying messages to Heaven for those that wanted to send a message to their departed loved ones...

Color Guard

This choir sang for us before the start, and also did the National Anthem

...with Old Glory flying strong in the breeze

Kid's Runs...

Getting ready to start...with dark skies above us...

On the Course

Out-and-back course.  Around the track, out of the stadium and through the parking area for a bit, then onto some of the paved trails of San Antonio's 'greenway trails' system.  Very nice trails along a tree-lined route.   This course was pretty much flat, with just a couple of small inclines along the way.

This photo was intentionally blurred to protect the innocent in the stroller... ...ok, I just screwed this one up...

After the Finish

Got some water, did a bit of a cool-down walk, and then got some photos of folks in the finish area.

Then it was off to get some post-race goodies....goodies were furnished by some great companies, including EZ's Brick Oven, Good Time Charlie's, and many more...

...and nice-and-cold-and-refreshing post-race beer...their was a choice of Tecate Light and Shiner Light, both good beers....today I opted for the Tecate Light...oh yeah....

More "Happy Finishers" et al.....

This lady was is with San Antonio Children's Hospital, an organization where I donate any medals I get.

This group, BillyRay Sheppard and The Main Event Band, played some fine entertaining music for us...they are really good!

Me and my good friend-and-fellow veteran John Purnell, who also has a very good local race-and-coaching company.  John is the father of one of my running crushes, Sherri (her photo is in this report earlier)...uh huh...the beautiful Sherri...and father John...I think Sherri may be adopted... 

After photo of my new pal, the 'Siamese dog" and his humans....doggie looks a bit more tired here than in the pre-start photo...

Bernadette and I each got medals in our age group...

I wore my medal for a bit and then took it right over to this lady to give to the cancer kids at the hospital..

EPILOG

This continues to be on great event year after year after year.  One that touches the heart and also has a good course, lots of post-race goodies, musical entertainment, nice award medals, nice race shirts. Definitely a keeper race on the race calendar!

24 races already?  Wow.  Breaking records as usual, Scotty.  Nice RR!

The balloon release idea was pretty cool.