Running Strong

BY KEITH TAYLOR, WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

For the 14th year, runners from around the country gathered outside of Eagle Stadium to participate in the annual Allen Eagle Fun Run and 5K. Despite frigid temperatures during the early morning hours, more than 1,500 participants enjoyed vendor booths and a stretching session before running in either the one-mile fun run or the USA Track and Field sanctioned five-kilometer race.

“After last year’s ‘virtual’ race because of COVID, we were extremely pleased to have more than 3,000 sign up for this year’s run,” said Stacy Polk, the race coordinator for the Foundation For Allen Schools.

“Entrants had four options to participate: the fun run; the 5K; a sleep-in option; or virtual participation,” she said. “The sleepin option means what it says: You sign up for the race, but you spend the morning sleeping in. The virtual option allows you to count a run or walk around the neighborhood as being part of the race.” The run is hosted by the Foundation and Allen ISD Council of PTAs with Credit Union of Texas as the title sponsor.

This year’s event was dedicated to David Noll, the Allen ISD Trustee who passed away in October 2021.

“David loved Allen ISD, and I know that he cherished the time that he spent interacting with our students and staff,” said Dr. Robin Bullock, Superintendent of Schools. “Allen lost a community supporter who wanted the best for our schools and town.”

Besides serving as a School Board Trustee, he was a dedicated member and volunteer for many organizations across the Allen ISD community.

“David was an instrumental leader each year as part of our Race Management Team,” Polk said. “David was our Race Course lead and looked forward to the Eagle Run each year with excitement and his excitement was infectious.” Volunteers are the lifeblood of the event, Polk said. Hundreds of students, district staff, and community members make the Eagle Run possible.

“Our volunteers come from several areas,” Polk said. “The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) helps with parking and other issues. The high school’s Junior ROTC members help organize the runs on race day. Then, we have the football team and cheerleaders who are here to interact with the crowd and help with race chores. We even had the Ereckson Middle School cheerleaders help by handing out post-race refreshments.”

She said volunteers from individual district campuses as well as regular citizens take part in preparations and the event.

“It takes about 250 volunteers to pull off the event, so we welcome any and all community partners to help out,” said Polk.

Additionally, the City of Allen assists in several ways. “Of course, the police are on hand at the event,” she said. “Parks and Recreation help us with the course layout and the Fire Department is available if we need it. It really is a community-wide team effort.”

The race benefits the Foundation, and all proceeds directly fund classroom grants, teacher and student scholarships, Allen PTA programs, and campus projects.

VIDEO FEATURE!

Allen Eagle Run