8th Annual Event Recap

June 21 , 2014

The team starts preparation for this day as soon as clean up from the last event has ended.  You would think a year is enough time to plan and execute and event which you have done seven times before.  Those 365 days fly by and life also gets in the way.  Before you know it you are 90 days from the event starting and you think you have nothing accomplished.

Welcome to Haley’s Team.  We go through this every year.  The planners go their separate ways hours after the finish line and awards ceremony have ended.  The priorities are set for the next year and they drive off into the sunrise.

This would be a horrible situation for many Teams but for us, it just works.  Some like to operate in total control, we thrive on organized chaos.

In 2007 three friends Randy Bright, Cal Seales and Rich LaMonica put their heads together and came up with an idea for a 5K race to be a fundraiser to help in finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.  Randy’s step-daughter Haley had the disease along with Rich’s friend Kirk, and the trio hatched a plan.  They needed advice so they contacted the Anniston Runners Club.  With the help of Brooke Nelson and Jon Moore the idea of the Twilight race was born.

Haley’s Team Twilight 5k became an annual event starting in 2007.  The race has had its share of fast runners, course changes and thunderstorms but has persevered.   From the first year with less than 100 runners, to a steady 220 now this team is hungry for bigger nights.

This year as the course was set up and the bulky start finish line scaffolding was erected the Team felt good as they were ahead for a change.  Then Mr Murphy showed himself again.  A storm came through.  The volunteers rushed to save the finish line, tables and signs.  Again the needed chaos was there.

As the Haley’s Kids 1K was about to start things were still getting set up.  The kid’s race is the fun spot for all the young runners.  They get to be like their parents and gain a story to tell at the dinner table on Sunday.  This year the Team was honored to have a lot of volunteers who lined the critical turns of the 1K and cheer on the up and coming runners.  This portion of the event will be renamed in honor of Kirk Hill who passed away in June 2012 due to CF.  The race will now be called Kirk’s Kids 1K.  He was passionate man who gave his all in everything he did so now the kids will give their all in his honor.

The time approached for the 5K and the team had some more technical difficulties.  The 1 mile and 2 mile clocks malfunctioned and the volunteers stepped up to cheer on the runners and yell out times as they came by.  The runners shot out at a good pace.  Steven Miles pushed the pace in the hunt for the trophy.  He just missed the podium last year, and was determined for redemption.  He showed that setting goals will get you where you want to go.  He won this year in 18:54 a minute and a half ahead of his nearest competitor.  Great work Steven!  In the Female division a young lady tore up the course as well.  At the age of 13 she set the pace for the ladies.  Abby Nunnelly came in @ 21:15 to take the top of the podium.  Great Job Abby.

We also had the honor of hosting a number of first time 5K runners.  Hopefully we gave them a good show, they had fun and will continue their running journey in the future.

Thanks to all those who supported us this year and in years past.  Without you it would not be possible to put on such a good event each year.

Next year the 9th Annual Event will be on June 20th 2015 with the Kirk’s Kids 1K starting things off followed by the kid’s award ceremony.  Once that is complete the Haley’s Twilight 5K will start and be followed by its award ceremony.  We look forward to seeing you next year.

Registration opens June 30th 2014 for next years event!!https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Anniston/HaleysTeamTwilight5k

 

In Memoriam

It is with a heavy heart we express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Bill Holstein who has lost his battle with cancer.  Bill was the winner of our first race and will be missed.  His passion for running and his speed were contagious and he will always be remembered for running with his blue Under Armour hat worn backwards.  Rest in peace Bill!!

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Thanks

To everyone who came out and ran in our 7th installment.  It was a pretty good evening with a full moon and fast runners.  To all those who came out and volunteered to help us out, you are awesome.  The link below is to Geek Alabama, there is a good post and awesome photos of the race enjoy.
Geek Alabama

Also a great article from the Anniston Star by Paige Rentz

 

As the 7th year approaches

Dear Family, Friends and Acquaintances,

The Haley’s Team Twilight 5k Run and 1k Fun Run is a little over a month away and I wanted to take a minute to invite everyone to participate this great fundraising event.  The event raises money for cystic fibrosis (CF) research and donations go to the CF research department at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. 
We need sponsors, volunteers to help with race, sponsors,  and race participants. Did I forget to mention sponsors? :).  We have many participants that enjoy coming out and walking the course too, so don’t be shy if you’re not a runner!  The Haley’s Team Twilight 5k Run and 1k Fun Run is in the evening and the course winds thru the beautiful McClellan area.  It’s a great event for the family too.  As usual, we will have our live band there and this year we will have pony rides for the kids!
The walk/run will be held on 22 June at the McClellan Medical Mall in Anniston, AL and information on the event can be found in the attached flyers.  If you need more info or want to help out, just email me or call/text 256-283-9379.  If you know of anyone that might be interested, please take a moment to share this email with them. 

Thanks for your support!

Randy Bright
Haley’s Team Twilight Run

Less than 3 months till our 7th Annual Race

As we enter April we know it is time to hit the final stretch for our event.  We hope your racing season has started off well.  Remember our race is a night race in Beautiful Historic McClellan in the heart of Anniston, Alabama.  We just added a printable flyer for mail in registrations.  Get your blinkies and headlamps ready.  We can not wait to see you all again this year.  Bring some friends as well