On July 4th 2011, in the twenty-ninth year of the Pecan Grove Volunteer Fire Department, over five hundred residents came together in the middle of Plantation Drive next to the Pecan Grove Country Club to take part in the annual 5 Miles My Way fun races community event. Two hours prior to this gathering, the PGVFD took out all the fire apparatus into the Pecan Grove Plantation Subdivision and set up 500 traffic cones, delivered 16 tables for five water stations, set up registration/check-in tables, delivered 30 cases of water/gatorade and set up tents, fans and generators. Disc Jockey Darrell Marek of Big D’s DJ brought in the sound system. Boy Scouts and their parents from Troop 1656 manned the water stations and crossings. Fort Bend Sheriff Deputies arrived to direct traffic at key intersections. Oakbend (Williams Way) Hospital personnel established and staffed the Finish line First Aid Station. Up and Away delivered the moonwalk. Faith United Methodist Church volunteers arrived and posted members ready to pass out water to returning participants. All was checked and re-checked. Everything was ready.
First up was the children’s bike decorating contest. Judging was tough. Winners were announced and ribbons awarded for the most beautiful bikes in each age category; 0 to 5—First Place Skye Felix, 6 to 7 ---- First Place Kaylee Ramirez, 8 to 9 ---- First Place Megan Whitney, Second Place Brooke Kerithe.
At 7:15, everyone was checked in for the first group race. The national anthem was played and instructions given by Firefighter Larry Perry. Then at 7:20 sharp the gun sounded and the cyclist and skaters were away. Runners and walkers got into position behind the starting line and again the gun sounded at 7:25. All racers were gone and away on the courses of choice. Out on the race course, it was estimated that additional four hundred Pecan Grove residents were sitting and standing cheering the racers on. Emergency Medical Services provided by the PGVFD patrolled the courses watching for accidents or in trouble racers.
Then at 14:43, the first place cyclist crossed the finish line. This started a parade of returning participants smiling and waving at the cheering watchers as each crossed the finish line. Water and gatorade was passed out to each. First aid personnel checked out several racers with no major problems found. The cooling fans and the shade of the trees were popular resting spots. The crowd grew as the racers returned until it was time for the trophies to be awarded.
Cyclist 1st Place - Male: Mark Hansche ----14:43
2nd Place - Male: Mike Heathcock----15:08
3rd Place - Male: Evan Hansche----15:09
1st Place - Female: Karen Nissman----17:28
2nd Place - Female: Karen Wilson----17:54
Skaters
1st Place - Male: Charles Petty----29:53
1st Place - Female: Diane Ditman----29:00
Runners
1st Place - Male: Ray Jordan----28:33
2nd Place - Male: David Whitney----29:18
3rd Place - Male: Todd Falk----35:40
1st Place - Female: Blair O'Connor----32:27
2nd Place - Female: Lara Leikam----35:48
3rd Place - Female: Ashley McGhee----35:49
Walkers
1st Place - Male: Dave Jones----1:17:02
2nd Place - Male: Bill Kingrey---1:17:22
3rd Place - Male: James Altendorf----1:21:46
1st Place - Female: Ann Kingrey----1:16:40
2nd Place - Female: Denise Nygard----1:20:09
3rd Place - Female: Lauren Nygard----1:20:10
Wheelchair
1st Place - Male: Larry White----52:05
Raffle
I-Pad: Reed McDonald
PGCC Golf for 4: Kirk Boyd
The 5 Miles My Way fun race was over. All who watched, cheered, peddled, skated, ran, walked or even just bounced in the moonwalk had fun. It was an exciting morning for all.
Thanks:
1.) To all the T-Shirt sponsors who buy ads advertising their businesses on the 5 Miles My Way shirts. 2.) To Boy Scout Troop 1656 who passed out water on the course and cleaned the course afterwards in addition to helping reload traffic cones back at the station. 3.) Special Thanks to those parents of Troop 1656 who assisted their sons do this project yearly. 4.) To the Oakbend (Williams Way) Hospital staff for handling the First Aid station. 5.) To Disc Jockey Darrell Marek of Big D’s DJ for providing a great sound system for the event. 6.) To Faith United Methodist Church for the volunteers who worked the finish line. 7.) To the Fort Bend Sheriff Department for the four deputies who worked our intersections. 8.) To the men and women of the Pecan Grove Volunteer Fire Department for all the hard work this event involves. 9.) To the residents who participate each year to make this event a success.
The Pecan Grove Volunteer Fire Department has enjoyed putting on this community event on for the past 29 years and hopes the department will be around next year to continue the tradition.
Total Funds raised for the purchase of New Engine 62 ----- $8,500.00
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