The Sixth Annual Summer Kick-Off Fun Run was held at Clear Creek High School in League City on June 7, 1997. After sitting out last year with injuries, the Lewis' came back to dominate the men's 5K division. Jeff Lewis won the men's overall with a 16:39 and brother Greg Lewis was second in a very competitive 20-24 age group. Jeff won three previous Kick-Off Runs and Greg won one. Last year was the only year that a Lewis brother has not won the overall men's title. Bryan Williams was first in the 15-19 age group and second overall with a 17:04. Matthew Rohmfeld and Doug Tucker, at age 36, both finished in 17:18. Derek Wood led the 20-24 year age group with a 17:30.
Linda Young led a contingent of competitive Brazoswood area runners, capturing the women's overall with a 19:33. Danielle Schaeffer of LaPorte was second overall with a 20:18. Gigi Rohmfeld, age 14, also from LaPorte, was third overall with a 21:15.
Duane Bez didn't have to travel far from Nassau Bay to capture the mens master's title with a 17:29. Gina Monteith of Pasadena celebrated her recent promotion into the women master's age group by winning that category in 21:35.
Olan Langham, age 81, was the official race starter this year. He not only started the 5K race, the 3K walk, and the Kid's run, he joined in the 5K race and once again won first place in his age group. If that wasn't enough, he presented awards to all the winners.
Three new age categories were added to the 5K run this year. A record number of 563 people entered the 5K run, Kid’s K run, and 3K walk events. Threatening skies proved to be no problem and all participants and guests were provided with a wide range of refreshments after the exercise.
The Summer Kick-Off Run is held in memory of James Glenn, a Clear Creek High School student and athlete who died while attending and playing football at Texas A&M in 1991. Benefits from the Summer Kick-Off Run are used to provide student scholarships through the James Glenn Memorial Fund. This year $1000 scholarships were awarded to Rebecca Wilson (who finished first in her age group), Jose Carrillo, and Lawrence Brown, outstanding Clear Creek High School scholar athletes. Since the first run in 1992, $12,000 has been awarded to deserving college-bound students.
Run sponsors are Star Toyota, St. John Sports Medicine and Rehab Center, Harrisburg Bank, Landry Chiropractic, Esteban's Cafe and Cantina, GTE, Hall's Insurance, Merrill Lynch-Clear Lake, SR Signs, and Sam and Susan Juliano.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Trophies and medals were awarded to the overall 5K men and women finishers. Medals were awarded to the 5K masters (age 40 and over) and to the first three age group finishers in the 5K and 1K runs.
5K Run Men Women Overall Jeff Lewis (16:39) Linda Young (19:33) Masters Duane Bez (17:29) Gina Monteith (21:35) Age 0-14 1. Ramin Hatami (18:36) Gigi Rohmfeld (21:15) 2. Michael Kruppa (20:52) Haley Adams (25:07) 3. Daniel Williams (21:11) Lauren Morgan (25:35) Age 15-19 1. Bryan Williams (17:04) Rebecca Wilson (26:49) 2. Matthew Rohmfeld (17:18) Jennifer Shaw (26:50) 3. Ryan Williams (18:04) Nassim Hatami (27:04) Age 20-24 1. Derek Wood (17:30) Danielle Schaeffer (20:18) 2. Gregory Lewis (17:42) Laila Hatami (23:10) 3. Richard Day (18:29) Veronica Valladares (26:32) Age 25-29 1. John Burkhardt (18:17) Amber Pawlowski (21:59) 2. Leno Rios (18:27) Suzanne Womble (24:43) 3. Matthew Hatch (19:50) Samantha Goodman (28:19) Age 30-34 1. Robin Craven (17:33) Lisa Armstrong (21:57) 2. Ray Rego (18:11) Robin Proctor (23:02) 3. Gary Basta (18:42) Jamie Morgan (23:30) Age 35-39 1. Doug Tucker (17:18) Lynnie Terry (21:48) 2. Scott Boyd (18:14) Marie Kowal (22:45) 3. Bill Foster (19:19) Elyse Harkins (23:41) Age 40-44 1. David Stephens (17:58) Pat Wedell (22:55) 2. Bill Brodhead (18:37) Kathy Loftus (26:09) 3. Patrick Chimes (19:08) Mary Davila (27:21) Age 45-49 1. Paul Daniels (17:49) Sheron Rohmfeld (23:06) 2. Jimmie McCarthy (18:47) Karen Lancer (24:12) 3. Mark Anderson (19:09) Diana Clark (27:38) Age 50-59 1. James Knievel (20:36) Margaret Montgomery (28:21) 2. Jack Barnett (21:36) Peggy Hutcherson (31:11) 3. Ted Jagen (22:18) Norma Lundberg (37:53) Age 60-69 1. Orville Kremmer (21:33) 2. Charlie Blalack (22:02) 3. Don Henderson (22:22) Age 70-79 1. Edward Millin (25:09) 2. Phillip Hall (25:36) 3. Jack Thornby (27:59) Age 80-89 1. Olan Langham (46:43) Kid's K Run Boys Girls (Actual Measure: .42 miles) Age 0-6 1. Ethan Todd (3:17) Theresa Halle (3:50) 2. Steven Nottebart (3:25) Adrawa Cordero (4:01) 3. Cooper Sylestine (3:49) Laina Sylestine (4:03) Age 7-9 1. Kevin Todd (2:43) Brianna Boslett (3:06) 2. Daniel Nottebart (2:49) Sarah Bailey (3:09) 3. Nicolas Meza II (3:07) Jill Norris (3:12) Age 10-12 1. Emanuel Valladares (2:20) Lucia Meza (2:25) 2. Leroy Valladares (2:22) Danira Rubio (2:37) 3. Stephen Corbett, Jr. (2:33) Courtney Cherry (2:44)