Taking part in distance runs is the life for Lockhart resident James Thompson, who for the past three-plus years has devoted his time to competing in half-marathons.
It’s to the point where Thompson has practically lost count of how many running events he’s competed in. In January, Thompson competed in one half-marathon each week.
“This is my normal course I run and train on so I’m right at home. All the proper half-marathons are always in Austin or San Antonio, so it’s nice to wake up, get out of bed and in 15 minutes get running.”
–Nathan Vanderford, Kyle resident
So, when news of a half-marathon was happening in Kyle, Thompson didn’t hesitate to take action. By crossing the finish line in just over 90 minutes Saturday, Thompson became the first person to win the Front Porch Days Half-Marathon.
“I saw this was the first half-marathon in Kyle so I knew I had to do it,” Thompson said. “It was tough too, with the heat and the humidity and the hills.”
The event, hosted by the Plum Creek HOA and organized by For the Love of Go, a local nonprofit, boasted 31 half-marathon runners and a total of more than 200 participants taking part in shorter races.
Jennifer Crosby, director and founder of For the Love of Go, has been helping organize races in Hays County since 2014. This was the 73rd race that the organization has directed; they aim to have 23 total races set for this year.
Crosby got started in distance runs to get healthier with her family. Since June 2008, Crosby has tried to run one race a month with her husband and son, doing about 10 to 11 a year.
The Front Porch Days half-marathon course snaked its way through the Plum Creek neighborhood, starting and ending at Negley Elementary School.
Crosby and other runners in the community have wanted a half-marathon in the area for some time. Crosby was finally able to organize it after enough roads were built in Kyle, so runners could run the 13.1 miles in neighborhoods, rather than having to run on arterial roads.
Thompson was the first to finish the half-marathon with a time of 1:36:28, which he says is about 10 minutes shy of his personal best.
Kyle resident Nathan Vanderford and Buda resident Linsey Brown enjoyed the course, especially watching the sunrise over the Plum Creek Golf Course at 6:30 a.m. They were part of a handful of runners who finished the course early.
“It was a great course and a great day – nice and cloudy with a breeze and the wind was fun to battle going into it,” Brown said.
Brown said Saturday’s run was her fifth half-marathon and her first after an injury; she decided not to run the full 13.1 miles.
“It was nice not to have to travel far to find a half-marathon,” Brown said.
Vanderford, who lives in Plum Creek, said he was also competing in his fifth half-marathon.
“This is my normal course I run and train on so I’m right at home,” Vanderford said. “All the proper half-marathons are always in Austin or San Antonio, so it’s nice to wake up, get out of bed and in 15 minutes get running.”
For Crosby, one of her goals was to bring affordable races closer to the Hays County community. She hopes to host more in the future.
“The half-marathoners were all saying see you next year, so we’ll have to do it again,” Crosby said.
