A Record Run

A perfect morning greeted about 2,700 registered runners, joggers and walkers on May 4 (2013) for the 21st annual Spring Branch Education Foundation-supported Running for the Arts 5K and 1K Walk.

VIEW EVENT PHOTO GALLERY >>

Several cross country and track teams from Spring Branch ISD high schools met at Memorial City Mall and ran the fast, flat neighborhood course. Two runners from Memorial High clocked best overall student times. They included a senior, Carlos Arias, and fast freshman, Leslie Romero.

“It was beautiful weather, perfect conditions,” Arias said. “I was running for fun, and I was running for my school.” He finished the 5K in 15 minutes, 47 seconds. Carlos, who is headed this fall to the University of Texas at Arlington with a track and cross country scholarship, hopes to qualify for the 10K in the Panama Games.

Freshman Mustang Leslie Romero, meanwhile, finished first in the 12-14 age group for women. She ran a speedy 20:50 time, and was the top school female finisher. A varsity cross country runner, she is interested in running during college and dreams about being a cross country coach one day. Supporting all the Memorial runners on Saturday morning was cross country coach Vicki Bevan.

“We got a real nice run in here, and we are supporting Spring Branch this morning,” she said. Officials with the Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) reported having an incredible day and great turnout to support fine arts and health fitness.

All Running for the Arts proceeds benefit the district’s highly popular Art Partners Program, which gives more than 18,000 students an opportunity to attend fine arts performances ranging from the opera and symphony to many local museums. In addition, event proceeds benefit the SBISD Health Fitness Association.

A silent art auction also raises funds the annual event. Memorial City Mall, an underwriter, was the location for all Running for the Arts events.

Spring Branch Education Foundation Chairman Mike Rome recognized the many dedicated volunteers who spent months helping put together the benefit run/walk.

He honored the following groups and volunteers during special remarks:

• National Charity League volunteers
• District Art Coordinator Sally Doyle
• District Fine Arts Coordinator Rusty Hess
• Housman Elementary Health Fitness Teacher Jackie Truesdale
• District musical groups, including the jazz bands at Northbrook High, Memorial High and Spring Woods High; Stratford High Marching Band; Spring Woods High Percussion; SBISD Elementary Strings; and the choirs from Buffalo Creek, Cedar Brook, Sherwood, Thornwood, and Spring Shadows elementary schools.
• Food donors, including My Fit Foods, Third Coast Fresh Produce, B.J. Nix Produce, Labatt Food Service and SBISD Child Nutrition Services

 Event Silver Sponsors are:

• ER 24-7
• Brandon Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP
• Methodist West Houston Hospital
• Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center

 Event Bronze Medal Sponsors are:

• Mallory and James Shaddix
• Sue and Barry Abrams
• Wright Asphalt – Pam and Doug Goodson
• Johnson Deluca Kurisky & Gould, PC
• Bernstein Realty Young Audiences of Houston donated two $500 gift certificates to Running for the Arts and to Arts Partners for their continued support.

An awards ceremony and random prize drawings were also held. Overall male and female winners each received a $300 Memorial City Mall gift certificate.

Male and female top finishers in the masters, or 40-years-old or older division, also each won $200 mall certificates. Medals were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female winners in a variety of age groups.

As the school with the most participation, Memorial Drive Elementary School won a $500 Young Audience and $500 Academy gift certificates for its health fitness department. In the random drawing for campuses with at least 10 event registrations, separate $500 Young Audience and Academy gift certificates were awarded, respectively, to Valley Oaks Elementary and Spring Woods Middle School.

Running for the Arts winners by top open categories:
Overall Male & Female Open Winners Luis Armenteros -- 15:49.8 Kylee Short -- 18:51.6
Masters Division Male & Female (Over 40) Jace Heuring -- 18:06.5 Cindy Taylor -- 18:56.7

For more times and categories, please visit the race website:

http://eztoregister.com/assets/Arts13.HTM