INTRO:  I am Scott aka Scottydog, runner since 1983, cancer survivor, retired Air Force, UTSA Roadrunner, 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

My 28th race of 2013. PODER - http://www.poderwalk.org/ - stands for Parks Obesity Diabetes Education Research.  Diabetes is a big problem in San Antonio, with about 14% of our 1.2M population having diabetes, about twice the national average. This run walk supported the cause and also had a health fair with free screenings for blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and health education information.  There were about maybe 100 - 200 participants. Probably would have had more, but the same day there was also another 5K being held, which is a very popular one in San Antonio, to this event had some 'competition' for participants.  The course was very nice, all through Downtown San Antonio on very flat roads.  I ended up with a finish time of 33:57.   Weather was beautiful...sunny, 51 degrees at the start, no wind.

LONG VERSION WITH PHOTOS

BEFORE THE RACE

Event started and finished at Milam Park, a very nice small park in downtown San Antonio, with Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital on one side of it  and El Mercado (The Market Square) on the other.   Since I was going down that way, I stopped at the Children's Cancer Ward of Santa Rosa and dropped off some medals for the kids, graciously given to me by local running store Run Wild Sports. Then it was over to the park to take some pre-start photos.

Milam Park is named for this guy...

...who was one of the defenders at The Alamo...I bet he wishes he still could fire his musket to get the birds off of him...

There is a nice gazebo in the center of the park

...which was where the musicians were for this event - we had some live music, plus a DJ - and the gazebo was also the location of the awards ceremony post-race.

Registration Volunteers

Course Cyclists, with one of the lady runners.

A couple of some of the most important volunteers...the post-race 'food goodies' folks! 

Participants/Supporters

My friend Bernadette and one of her "competitors." These are two speedy ladies!

Photo my good buddy George took of me and the ladies....lol. At least he got our best parts..the Great Legs.

OK, that's better...Good dog, George!

Right before the start, there was a 'warm-up' with this lady leading, and some others making some nice moves out there.  Me, I "dance" more like "Elaine" in Seinfeld, lol.

After that, we had a few words from some various folks, an prayer and a moment of silence, and then the National Anthem sung really beautifully by the lady who is the singer for the band that was our post-race entertainment.  Then it was off to the start area!

ON THE COURSE

This course was really laid out nicely, kudos to whomever did that.   We crossed a bridge overlooking the San Antonio Riverwalk..

Got to run for a change right down the middle of streets in downtown San Antonio, nice...

Passed in front of The Alamo

A bit past the halfway mark...

Passing the San Antonio Library, which is a very unique color...can be seen from quite a distance!

Another bridge over the Riverwalk, turned the corner after that and did a second bridge with yet another view of another part of the Riverwalk

After that, I hoofed it back to the finish line.  As I got toward the finish line, there was a kid in front of me.  I jokingly called out  "I'm catching up to you!"  He took off like a shot, lol, and beat me in by 27 seconds...finishing at 33:32.

AFTER THE RACE

And....this speedy little tyke even got a medal in the 1 - 14 age group.  I told his mom that he 'smoked me" at the end.  I thought it was great!  He was a happy little camper, lol.  Love this photo of him, glad it turned out well.

Bernadette, as usual, placed in her Age Group.  I placed in mine too. Probably because there were only 2 IN my AG, lol.

Bernadette's "competition' finished 2nd overall and was the first Lady's Masters finisher.  Lady's Masters?  I was in shock...when I first met her this race morning, I had guessed she was about 30-something.  Lady runners sure do 'preserve' well!

The band entertaining us post-race.  They were quite good and the young lady has a beautiful voice.

More "Happy Finishers" and Supporters

EPILOG

Small, but very nice event, definitely would do this one again.  That lady in the last photo, holding a soccer ball - that was one of the post race goodies, soccer balls were given out to any runner who wanted one post-race. There were also lots of post-race goodies.  I enjoyed a post-race oatmeal raisin cookie - my favorite cookie! - which was deeelicious!  I enjoyed my medal for a few minutes and then on my way back to my car dropped that off - and 2 soccer balls also that some other runners had donated - with the charge nurse at the Children's Cancer Ward in Santa Rosa Hospital.   Next year, I hope they have a much bigger turnout for this one because it really is a nicely done event with a great course.

Looks like another nice event.  You have a really active running community in San Antonio - and they do put on some nice races! 

Lovely race in a lovely park.  Thanks for sharing.

Awesome work Scottydawg! Diabetes is a subject that's close to my heart. And my pancreas. And my kidneys....