FOOTPRINT Lake Grapevine Runners & Walkers
September 2008
www.runnersandwalkers.com
Over 30 RAW Members Participate in the Annual “Too Hot to Handle” Sizzler By Thomas “T.O.” Okazaki
O
ver 30 members of RAW converged upon Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake in Dallas, to participate in the annual bake-off called Too Hot to Handle 15K/5K. The race successfully kicked off the club’s first ever “Double Feature” RAW Off to the Races. The second half took place at El Scorcho Dos at Trinity Park in Ft. Worth starting at midnight. There was a significant club turnout at both events with a handful of members impressively running at both ends of town within 24 hours in both races in such warm conditions. With race morning temperatures already warm and humid, RAW scored well by carting home loads of hardware again at this club-favorite event.
The Too Hot to Handle 15K/5K kicked off the club’s first ever “Double Feature” RAW Off to the Races.
Mindi Rice successfully defended her 15K women’s title for the third consecutive year by running a scorching 1:01:38. Mark Fanelli was less than a minute behind, winning his age group with an impressive 1:02:31, with Troy Pruett streaking to a 1:03:00 finish, rounding out RAW’s Top 3 in the 15K.
The annual trek to Too Hot to Handle results in several awards for RAW racers.
Randy Bobe is currently on fire scoring yet another PR with a blistering 19:36 5K with Mark Miller coming in 3rd overall with an outstanding 18:27. Thomas “T.O.” Okazaki rounded out RAW’s Top 3 in the 5K with a 21:20 finish, good for 1st in his age group. Once again, traffic into Winfrey Point was crowded before the start of the race. Timing chips were distributed at outdoor tables this year. Both the 15K and 5K courses ran north with the 5K runners turning off east into the surrounding neighborhoods before turning back toward the finish. The
15K participants ran the same route, circling White Rock Lake once as in the past. There was plenty of watermelon and snacks, including a cold shower available to welcome and cool runners down after the race. RAW had a tent set up in the finish area along with assorted snacks for its members to munch while waiting for the awards to be handed out. RAW runners were also greeted by the famous RAW cowbells at the 9 mile mark by T.O., along with music blaring from a jam box, ice-cold drinks, and wet sponges.