Texas Independence Relay gives city chance to shine
By GREG LITTLE/publisher@gonzalesinquirer.com
The stage is set for this weekend's first ever Texas Independence Relay race which will start in Gonzales.
The main portion of the event will take place throughout the day Saturday in Gonzales. The relay teams will begin running from the museum area, head through the downtown and back up St. Louis Street on their way to San Jacinto, near Houston.
Teams from as far away as New York City and Los Angeles will be participating in this event.
Gerri Lawing, one of the people helping organize the race, said she is hoping the people of Gonzales welcome the runners and their support teams with open arms.
"This is an exciting event," said Lawing.
She said making sure everyone feels welcome is a key element because it is possible this could become a permanent event in the state of Texas.
The event was the brainchild of Jay Hilscher of Houston. Hilscher wanted to craft an event which would showcase the history of the state of Texas. Since Gonzales is the birthplace of the state, he decided the race should begin here and end at the San Jacinto Monument in Houston, where Texas Independence was sealed.
Hilscher contacted local officials about the possibility and since that time it has evolved into a major event for the city and Gonzales County in general.
Lawing said she feels it is important that local businesses and individuals show their support for the race by painting their windows, making signs, displaying flags and in any other method which shows they are welcome in the community.
There is a welcome banner which will be displayed for all of the runners to see. Also, Lawing said she is looking for a group of people who might be interested in decorating the backstops near Apache Stadium to welcome the runners and support teams.
Parking is going to be at Apache Field and a shuttle will be operating all day long to take the runners and their teams to the starting line area. The shuttle is also for visitors who want to come into town and watch the race, do some shopping or have something to eat.
Some of the runners and their teams will be coming in the evening before and will be treated to a pasta dinner at Victoria College in Gonzales.
The bulk of the event, however, will take place on Saturday when the runners are dispatched starting at 6 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.
A local team from Gonzales will be leaving the starting line at 7 a.m. The team is named Defenders of the Cannon.
Many volunteers are being used for the event, doing everything from making breakfast tacos to helping with parking. If you are interested in volunteering, call city hall or the chamber for details.
Lawing said officials are hoping this event is a big success and race organizers will consider making it an annual affair starting in Gonzales.
Here are some facts about the Texas Independence Relay:
+ Team from farthest away is New York City and the team captain is a graduate of Texas A&M.
+ Colorado Running Company is an all women's team from Colorado Springs. They are considered the fastest team running in the Relay and many predict they will finish first.
+ This is a 24-hour a day run. Runners will be running throughout the night on their way to Houston.
+ Not only is there a team from Gonzales entered, there is also a team from LaPorte, which is the final destination for the race.
+ Many teams will be coming into town with the race vans decorated and ready to roll. One team is being called "Team DQ," and they will be donning ice cream cone hats throughout the race.
+ There are two solo runners. One will leave the start line in the week hours of Friday morning and the other will leave at 6:45 a.m. on Friday.
+ A team of four will leave the Museum start line at 6 p.m. on Friday and another team of four and one of two will leave at midnight Friday.
+ There are three police departments which will be represented in the race - Los Angeles Police Department, Austin Police Department and the Fort Worth Police Department. (It should be noted here the Gonzales Police Department has been instrumental in the local preparation and planning of the event, including the logistics. The Gonzales PD Bike Patrol will be supporting and assisting throughout the day on Saturday.
+ The Texas National Guard has a team in the race. Here's a statement from that team:
"The Texas National Guard Marathon Team is running to represent our Texas military forces and family members by participating in the inaugural Texas Independence Relay. This historic race is composed of 40 relay legs of various lengths totalling 200 miles.
"Our team will run in remembrance of the sacrifices made by our forefathers long ago, for those serving today and with a view to remain vigilant for those sacrifices to come in defense of liberty.
"We remember the valiant efforts of our fellow "Lone Star" warriors who paved the road to independence and remain committed to the principles of protecting our freedoms."
Copyright © 2008 The Gonzales Inquirer. All rights reserved.
The stage is set for this weekend's first ever Texas Independence Relay race which will start in Gonzales.
The main portion of the event will take place throughout the day Saturday in Gonzales. The relay teams will begin running from the museum area, head through the downtown and back up St. Louis Street on their way to San Jacinto, near Houston.
Teams from as far away as New York City and Los Angeles will be participating in this event.
Gerri Lawing, one of the people helping organize the race, said she is hoping the people of Gonzales welcome the runners and their support teams with open arms.
"This is an exciting event," said Lawing.
She said making sure everyone feels welcome is a key element because it is possible this could become a permanent event in the state of Texas.
The event was the brainchild of Jay Hilscher of Houston. Hilscher wanted to craft an event which would showcase the history of the state of Texas. Since Gonzales is the birthplace of the state, he decided the race should begin here and end at the San Jacinto Monument in Houston, where Texas Independence was sealed.
Hilscher contacted local officials about the possibility and since that time it has evolved into a major event for the city and Gonzales County in general.
Lawing said she feels it is important that local businesses and individuals show their support for the race by painting their windows, making signs, displaying flags and in any other method which shows they are welcome in the community.
There is a welcome banner which will be displayed for all of the runners to see. Also, Lawing said she is looking for a group of people who might be interested in decorating the backstops near Apache Stadium to welcome the runners and support teams.
Parking is going to be at Apache Field and a shuttle will be operating all day long to take the runners and their teams to the starting line area. The shuttle is also for visitors who want to come into town and watch the race, do some shopping or have something to eat.
Some of the runners and their teams will be coming in the evening before and will be treated to a pasta dinner at Victoria College in Gonzales.
The bulk of the event, however, will take place on Saturday when the runners are dispatched starting at 6 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.
A local team from Gonzales will be leaving the starting line at 7 a.m. The team is named Defenders of the Cannon.
Many volunteers are being used for the event, doing everything from making breakfast tacos to helping with parking. If you are interested in volunteering, call city hall or the chamber for details.
Lawing said officials are hoping this event is a big success and race organizers will consider making it an annual affair starting in Gonzales.
Here are some facts about the Texas Independence Relay:
+ Team from farthest away is New York City and the team captain is a graduate of Texas A&M.
+ Colorado Running Company is an all women's team from Colorado Springs. They are considered the fastest team running in the Relay and many predict they will finish first.
+ This is a 24-hour a day run. Runners will be running throughout the night on their way to Houston.
+ Not only is there a team from Gonzales entered, there is also a team from LaPorte, which is the final destination for the race.
+ Many teams will be coming into town with the race vans decorated and ready to roll. One team is being called "Team DQ," and they will be donning ice cream cone hats throughout the race.
+ There are two solo runners. One will leave the start line in the week hours of Friday morning and the other will leave at 6:45 a.m. on Friday.
+ A team of four will leave the Museum start line at 6 p.m. on Friday and another team of four and one of two will leave at midnight Friday.
+ There are three police departments which will be represented in the race - Los Angeles Police Department, Austin Police Department and the Fort Worth Police Department. (It should be noted here the Gonzales Police Department has been instrumental in the local preparation and planning of the event, including the logistics. The Gonzales PD Bike Patrol will be supporting and assisting throughout the day on Saturday.
+ The Texas National Guard has a team in the race. Here's a statement from that team:
"The Texas National Guard Marathon Team is running to represent our Texas military forces and family members by participating in the inaugural Texas Independence Relay. This historic race is composed of 40 relay legs of various lengths totalling 200 miles.
"Our team will run in remembrance of the sacrifices made by our forefathers long ago, for those serving today and with a view to remain vigilant for those sacrifices to come in defense of liberty.
"We remember the valiant efforts of our fellow "Lone Star" warriors who paved the road to independence and remain committed to the principles of protecting our freedoms."
Copyright © 2008 The Gonzales Inquirer. All rights reserved.
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