Run for fun....and charity

 

Second annual 5K and Fun Run a big success

 

 

                   By ANEL QUEVEDO, 12

 

 

 

On Saturday, November 8th, BA held its second annual Cougars Running Wild 5k and One Mile Fun Run. For the second consecutive year the race was organized by BA Athletic Director Stacy Segal. The goal for the event is to increase community involvement, to get BA’s name out there and to raise funds for BA athletics & LIFT (Literacy Instruction for Texas).

 

This year’s event was supported by more than 23 sponsors including Cindy-Green and Tony Weber (Class of 1980), Richardson Bike Mart, Farmers Insurance, Anytime Fitness and McShan Florist among others. The platinum sponsor of the event was Kastl Law for the second year in a row.

 

"Our race would not be possible without the sponsors and all of our volunteers," Coach Segal said.

 

The race was bigger than last year’s since the Dallas Health Fair also took part. The purpose of the Health Fair is to inform families and the community about health care, provide free workshops, health screenings and flu shots.

 

251 runners signed up for the race. More than 65 volunteers arrived early in the day to prepare. There were many amenities provided like VIP parking for the runners as well as activities for the children. The kids enjoyed bounce houses and face painting. Many distinguished guests attended and some took part in the race as well. Among the honored participants were Marines from the Mesquite recruiting station, representatives from Doctors Hospital, DISD Board Trustee Dan Micciche and BA’s Executive Director Ms. Jolee Healy among others.

 

The 1 mile run was first. It started promptly at 7:30 AM when Alex, Coach Segal’s daughter, blew the whistle to signal the start. The One Mile Fun Run mainly included the boy’s basketball team and energetic kids. Other than those runners, women with strollers and even people walking dogs joined the fun run. Senior Kenneth Simpson, from the basketball team, took first place.

 

The overall winner of the 5K was Jose Lopez who finished with a time of 17 minutes and 15 seconds. Mr. Lopez is a Counselor at Alex Sanger Elementary school. He usually runs other 5K's and did the Spartan Beast, an obstacle course race outside of  Dallas, the week before BAs’ race.

 

The turnout was improved from last year and it seemed to please BA principal Richard Kastl.

 

"For the second year, Cougars Running Wild was a success and hopefully it will become a tradition in the future,” he said.  “Everyone worked together to make this possible from coaches, assistant principals, teachers and all of the community members.”

 

Coach Segal has already started thinking about and planning the race for next year.

 

“My goal for next year is to get all of the student body involved and to possibly increase the race to 10k,” she said.

 

11.21.14