Arlington/D-FW Update from Jeph Abara

I'm on the e-mail list of Arlington-area race director Jeph Abara after running one of his well-organized events in mid-August of last year. Here is his update that came along with an area race calendar (if you'd like the calendar, please let me know):

"First, some terrific news. Marty Leicht is home and continues his remarkable recovery. In fact, he was with us at the Haltom Stampede 10K/5K last Saturday. In typical Marty fashion, he cracked a couple of jokes and then thanked everyone who has been praying for him. So, keep up the prayers. Isn’t life wonderful?"

"This weekend (February 19-20) presents us only two local races we know of – The Mustang Challenge 5K/1 Mile in Carrollton on Saturday and FWRC’s Cowtown Coutdown 5 Mile in Fort Worth on Sunday. The last weekend of the month has a few more races. Two of those are the Spring Fever 5K/1 Mile in Highland Park and the Plano Pacers’ 15K/5K. Then, of course, in Fort Worth, there is The Cowtown whose menu now includes the Half. Back to this weekend."

"The Mustang Challenge 5K appropriately offers a challenging course – good for the heart, the legs and, even the soul. We invite you to go for the challenge! We hope to see you in Carrollton on this Saturday; then in Fort Worth on Sunday; and again in Fort Worth next Saturday."

"As we hinted last month, there will be some missing veterans in the lineup in the coming months. As the Byrds popularized with their pop hit many years ago, "To every thing there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck that which is planted." (Eccl. 3:1-2). Well, my friends, this year is fast becoming a season for plucking in the local road racing scene. James Thruston’s Dallas Trails Marathon has come to the end of its road. It had been a March feature for more than 10 years."

"Five other March races will not return this year. April also has at least four no-shows from last year. One of them is the Corporate Challenge 3.5 Mile series which will bypass Dallas this year. However, there are plans to bring it back in 2006."

"Notwithstanding the several absences, March and April still are about to begin showering us with an exciting mix of races and the special walks for a gamut of institutional charities, featuring several events every weekend – sometimes as many as nine races beside the walks – and introducing some new ones. More about those special walks some other time."

"Among the March rush of races is the Fillie Trot 5K/1 Mile which, in its fifth year of running (and moving from January), offers an awesome event with the spectacular Lake Grapevine as its back drop. There also are the veteran races, from the always boisterous St. Paddy’s Day Dash in Dallas to the popular Run to Joe’s in Fort Worth, and a bunch of other fine races – including the Uptown Run with its inspirational Special Olympian Run 1K -- on the roads and in the parks."

"As always, let’s run/walk for the fun, but also for the funds -- to benefit a charity or a cause!! May benevolence and peace and respect prevail throughout God’s beautiful earth and may our God of Forgiveness, of Grace, of Healing, of Hope, of Love, of Mercy & of true PEACE bless!"