INTRO and Link to Report on RW site: 

http://community.runnersworld.com/displayForumTopic/content/8190399985028088

I am Scott aka Scottydog, runner since 1983, cancer survivor, retired Air Force, 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.

SHORT VERSION REPORT

Race #20 for me for 2013.  The Chaksis 8K/Peruvian Festival was held in Helotes, Texas.  Supports Texas Partners of the Americas, which helps 110 families in Peru displaced by an earthquake there. The only thing I could not figure out is why the race is named "Chaksis.'  I thought maybe it was a town in Peru or is a Peruvian word, but I could not find anything on it.  Oh, well.  Have to ask my pal, Ceci, next time I see her.  Soler Sports, one of our local running stores - actually our best local running store, with 3 San Antonio area locations - was the host for this event.  I haven't done nearly 5 miles in FOREVER, and Helotes is quite hilly in areas, so figured this one would be pretty slow for me, and I was right.  Still, I surprised myself and managed to finish under an hour - just barely, lol - at 57:16.

LONG VERSION REPORT WITH PHOTOS

Before The Start

I got there with about 30 minutes to go before start time, and right off got a photo with two of my 'running crushes' the lovely ladies Ceci (photo, left) and Karen.

A family of runners, son, father, mother.  The father is also a cancer survivor.

Two survivors

A few of my fellow club members of San Antonio Roadrunners.  Jim, the tall guy in the 2nd photo, was recovering from a pulled hamstring; so he only did 7 minute miles today instead of his usual 6-minute miles.

A few more folks waiting for the start

On The Curse - errr, Course 

I jokingly said "curse"  because, while the 1st three miles of the course were "relatively" flat, that darn sadist Race Director   really zapped us with the last 1.96 miles of the course with some quite challenging hills.  Hills after doing 3 miles, along with a VERY humid day (nearly 90% humidity)...well, I heard a few folks that jokingly had some 'choice' words along part of the course, lol. This was a relatively small event, maybe 100 - 200 participants, and I was mostly bringing up the rear, so I got some photos that show the 'lonely' country roads that we ran on. Actually, it was a very pretty area, with lots of nice houses along the way that had lots of space around them.

I was around this lovely lady and her partner for most of the race.   I would stop for photos, they would pass me.  I'd pass them during my run segments.  And so it went. After we finished the course, I jokingly thanked her for being ahead of me a lot, which helped motivate This Old Man to keep moving forward.

We're now on the road that took us to the hills...

Let the hills begin!

We even had to climb this last incline/small hill right before we got to the finish line - where the orange cones are, we turned right into a parking lot and crossed the finish line.

After The Race

As we crossed the line, this young lady greeted each finisher with a cup of water

After I got some water, I went back out on the course to run in my friend, Karen. On the way to find her, I took some  of these folks heading to the finish

then along came Karen..

I ran with her almost to the finish line, then dropped off, and she crossed the finish line.  I went around taking some post-race photos.

Because this was a Peru-oriented event, I got to meet Pepe the Llama

Who was trained to 'give kisses' and he gave me one...

My new friends from the course also got to meet Pepe

There were also folks in Peruvian heritage dress.  A couple of them also performed for us a very entertaining traditional Peruvian dance.

There were even a couple of doggies at the event, with one of them in the Easter Bunny spirit

A few more of the great volunteers that were out there for us

"Happy Finishers" and supporters

These two are wearing the nice race shirts everyone got in their goodie bags.

A few Age Group winners.  The 'medal's for this event were hand-crafted various-styles Peruvian bags.

My running club friends, Cheri and Ronnie showing their AG award bling

This was the overall 1st place winner, who won a t-shirt and a bag

These speedy guys, who I see at a lot of the local events I do, also placed

They asked to get a photo with me..the Hares and the Turtle here, lol..

EPILOG

Small event, but very nice one, and lots of nice post-race goodies too, including gatorade, and sausage tacos  (yummy) and bean-and-cheese tacos too.  I was hoping that maybe there would be some Peruvian beer, but no luck..maybe next year.     Challenging course - and I finished in under an hour, which made me happy... - but also a friendly one, with lots of nice folks participating, lots of encouragement for each other along the way, and lots of nice post-race activity.  Very unusual age group awards too, which was a nice touch.   Definitely would recommend this one to do.

I would've done it just to be kissed by a llama.  Great RR!

Awesome report Scotty, congrats on number 20!

Great RR Scotty.  Love the photos with the llama.  I really like the woven bags. It sounds like a good race.

That's not exactly what I thought llamas were noted for.

According to wikipedia: Chaskis or chasquis

That's not exactly what I thought llamas were noted for.

 

According to wikipedia: Chaskis or chasquis

Thanks, George, that was quite interesting!  Now I know!  And will pass that on at future events to other runners there who may want to know.

Good job Scotty! Nice pics with the llama and the " hares"!

I guess the modern term for quipu is "smart phone"!

Great report, Scotty!

Looks like everybody had a good time.

20 races so far this year - Wow! I've barely run that many in my life!

Congrats on the Llama smooch!