Additional Thoughts on The Woodlands Township Special Events Policy

So we learn in the Meeting Recap posted by The Woodlands Township on Thursday evening through their Facebook page the following:

The Board accepted a motion to approve the Special Event Analysis and Operational Plan with the stipulation that existing major race events would be grandfathered in and the new guidelines would apply only to new events. The motion also amended the proposed scheduling buffer for events requiring road closures so that events that require lane or road closures cannot occur if another event has already been permitted for closing the same lanes/roads four weeks before or four weeks after. All road and lane closures must provide traffic alternate routes of ingress and egress from neighborhoods and the Township must approve the route as part of the permitting process.

But what is the definition of "existing major race events"?

Is it those listed in events presented by Parks and Recreation in the May Board Meeting, such as The Woodlands Marathon, Ironman Texas, Run Thru The Woods and those races produced by The Township.

Or does it include all other events that use the roads and the pathways in The Township?

I specifically never heard the word "major" mentioned.

It was "new events" versus existing ones, as the latter part of the first sentence above indicates.

I have to assume that this was an oversight in the wild discussion that took place in the flurries of motions.

Really disappointing because if it isn't defined, then you can have smaller events - more than likely those that are producing events to raise monies for charities - that are forced to make significant changes (possibly in venue even) because somebody new - without knowing what the other event has done in the past - comes in and wants to put on an event in the same residential area within that eight-week window of time.

It is why some type of weekly-produced Special Events Calendar and Road Closure listing, like that used by the City of Houston, would be good for residents (to know when and where which roads will be closed) and participants (to ensure that events are going through the permitting process timely) alike.

It would seem that existing events, as discussed, would be able to not have their existing date and location for the next year impinged upon and then once their event is complete, they would have 30 days to set a date and a location for the following year or potentially lose that date - and the eight-week block that comes with it in that residential area - to another event.

I really hope that we see this cleaned and cleared up by the Parks and Recreation Department - to come back to the Board of Directors - in the Public Hearing for the late July 27, 2016 Meeting.

I know that I actually don't have a voice as I'm not a resident of The Woodlands Township.  However, having formerly written for The Courier and being and having been a strong advocate for professionalism in event production, promotions, coverage and operations of our sport(s), I just don't want to see an understandable goal - keeping residents from feeling overwhelmed by the number of events - turn into something unworkable for those events that are predominantly attended by residents of The Woodlands Township, promote health and wellness and typically raise money for local charities.

And I'm in a difficult spot, so to speak, in that I announce two races for The Woodlands Township - Muddy Trails Bash and CB&I - and they're ones that I really enjoy being a part of.

They allow me to stay connected to our local athletic communities and why I'm so eager to do them.

Parks and Recreation leadership approves of my approach in announcing, their team is very well organized and I enjoy working with them.

If speaking my mind keeps me from being able to do so in the future, I can sleep at night knowing that I didn't compromise what I believe in and am passionate about.

Analysis of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting

What an evening.

There were two items on the agenda of Wednesday night's Board of Directors meeting for The Woodlands Township that related to endurance sports events.

They were as follows:

Receive, consider and act upon changes to Special Events Policies and Procedures including, but not limited to, noise, hours and locations for special events occurring within the Township; 

Receive, consider and act upon a Host Venue Sponsorship Agreement for The Woodlands Marathon;

I personally was unable to attend last month's meeting where discussion first occured regarding potential changes to The Township's Special Events Policies and Procedures.

I watched the video stream live online and communicated during the session with Todd Cooper, a 12-time Ironman (and Penn State graduate) who is a resident of The Township and was in the meeting chambers.

I changed my work hours yesterday so I could be in attendance.

There were just six endurance sports-minded individuals who didn't have a responsibility to be there.

Actually, one, The Woodlands Marathon race director Willie Fowlkes, needed to be there in case there were questions regarding the Host Venue Sponsorship Agreement that his organization had in front of the Board for the race.

The others were Chris Strait (StraitSpeed and The Woodlands Marathon's elite athlete coordinator), Pam Meaux (who was there to support a residents' concern about future flooding prevention efforts to be taken), Rich Cooper (Volte; formerly Woodlands Fit), myself and a gentleman who I see at The Woodlands High School cross country and track meets but I don't recall his name.

Fortunately, there were no residents to speak during the Public Comment portion of the Board meeting in regards to the disruptions caused by major athletic events such as The Woodlands Marathon, CB&I, Ironman Texas, Ten For Texas or Run Thru The Woods.

There actually was one resident who spoke about the prestige and the community benefits that is brought to The Woodlands as a result of these events happening as well as he and his family's personal health and well-being being benefitted from them.

The one who did have a responsibility to be there was multi-time Ironman finisher and frequent event sponsor Bret Strong of The Strong Firm, whose firm provides legal services to The Township.

So, what's at play here?

As I understand it from multiple people, the Board has had voiced to it - and has personally experienced - road closure issues with races and sound issues from festivals and such held at Township parks.

Parks and Recreation Department, led on the task by Chris Nunes, provided at the last Board meeting a detailed list of the major events and whether these races had significant traffic and/or economic impacts and whether the Township was a producer or a sponsor.  Most of them, they have a skin in the game.

The perception coming out of last month's meeting from the Board was that events are stacked too close together and the same neighborhoods are being affected.

And that those events are landlocking folks in their neighborhoods for too long.

The two races that are the closest are CB&I and Ironman Texas, typically within three weeks of each other.  Presumably a new date hasn't been set for CB&I yet since Ironman Texas isn't final (or at least it hasn't been published).  It is supposedly referenced in the agreement with the World Triathlon Corporation that Ironman Texas for the foreseeable future will be on the third Saturday of April.  John Powers articulated that date each year last night.

So Chris and his team went and put together really just an incredible document that tracked every single event in The Township that Parks and Recreation did work on.

They shared revenues and expenses, the amount of time (not in salaries and benefits numbers) that their staff put in on each event as well as other pertinent information and a future recommendation for that specific event.

They also listed every single event - not just races, mind you, but festivals, etc., whatever - in the Township, which park it was held in and what the community impacts were.

It was an impressive 108-page masterpiece.

One thing I gleaned is that The Township made a profit on the athletic races, which funds a lot of the programs in The Parks and Recreation Department, but other events, including those with the CV&B were high in expenses and few in revenues.

In that Operational Plan, he also addressed the amplified sound issues in Town Green and North Shore Park that Director Bass so loudly himself - not a negative reference; just ironic - voiced his concern about in the May and June Board Meetings.

That, however, all got lost in one line of one item of 12 bulleted recommendations.

The two items that had the most potential impact on endurance sports events were:

1.  Reschedule the CB&I Triathlon and / or Memorial Hermann 10 for Texas to different months than currently produced to reduce the number of race events in the community that necessitate a street and/or lane closure that have been occurring within a few weeks of each other

2.  Provided the Counties approve Township’s role in approving use of public roads, events requiring road or lane closures cannot occur if another event has been permitted for closing the same roads/ lanes two weeks before or two weeks after. All road and lane closures must provide traffic alternate routes of ingress/egress from neighborhoods. No events will be permitted to close a public road or lane for more than 4 hours, except the Ironman Texas

One of the ideas listed on page 33 of the Operational Plan was:

Review the possibility of moving the race to late summer/early fall to reduce community conflicts with Texas Ironman and The Woodlands Marathon.

This would address the Board's concerns about events that heavily impact traffic multiple times, but what I expressed via Twitter last night is:  "Where do you put it on the schedule?"

I thought that it might be hard to place it in the middle of the well-attended Onurmark triathlon races.  Then again, maybe people will flock to it then.

The discussion was free-wheeling.

Initially, Chris was even directly questioned by one of the Directors if he wanted to see the marathon killed, in essence.  Of course, I don't think that was Chris' intentions at all.  My perception is that he was trying to find a way to address the Board's already expressed concerns.

Willie Fowlkes got up during the public comment section and drew attention to the four-hour limit and noted that CB&I closed Lake Woodlands down at the finish line for more than four hours.  (At least from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., if not a little bit longer, but no more than six hours.)

Armed with that information, the Directors moved away from a firm, fixed time frame and that the Operational Plan was more of a set of guidelines that gave Parks and Recreation that ability to tell events "No".

Recent changes that require events to have a traffic control plan, pre-race highway notification devices, etc. had already stemmed the number of requests of potential new events in the community that are produced on the roadways.

Director McMullan steered the conversation to hammer home a point he made in the last Board Meeting that the economic impact benefits weren't really that much to the average homeowner's property taxes.

With the growth of The Woodlands recently, it's properly less than a couple of Starbucks coffees or lattes.

Director Bunch, an athlete himself and Ironman Texas finisher, noted - as he did so well in the May Board Meeting - the community benefits in addition to the prestige of The Woodlands.  Initially, last month, that didn't seem - in my mind - to impress Director Bass too much, but I sensed that he agreed with Gordy's take on that last night.

I gather currently the limitation of events between one another is currently two weeks (CB&I and Ironman Texas is currently three) and Director McMullen was aggressively adamant about 4-6 weeks between events.

Director Fillault asked, "Are we really closing areas off weekend after weekend?"

I personally was encouraged with that line of questioning because my concern was Fillault's stance on endurance events after she defeated Bruce Tough in the elections last November.  Former Director Tough was an ardent supporter of the endurance sports community in The Woodlands.

She also advocated better communication to the community, if they're inclined to listen (which I've personally found to be a challenge, especially with The Woodlands Marathon / SAT issue this past March).

Director Snyder was concerned of losing these races because of rules that would be too restrictive and that is when Director Bunch advocated grandfathering the existing events, which makes a lot of sense.

Director Bass, however, in a fair point, stated that at some point in time all events should have to follow the same rules, allowing for a transition time period; however, he was quick to wield power that he didn't yet have stating that The Township - even if Montgomery County Commissioner's approved road closure and the traffic control plan - could deny to issue a Special Events permit.

It went round and round with multiple motions - and retractions of motions - for future action at next month's Board of Directors meeting.

So more to come there.

The next item, with John Powers taking to the podum, was to discuss the renewing of The Woodlands Township's Host Venue Sponsorship Agreement with The Woodlands Marathon.

Grown out of the type of agreement that the World Triathlon Corporation has with The Township, The Woodlands Marathon had a five-year agreement that just expired.

Both parties provided the other with certain items or services.

The Marathon looked to The Township allow for use of Town Green, South Shore and Shadowbend Park, provide waste management and security services and to make available the use of 40 pop-up tents, for example.

The Marathon would provide an influx of 4,000 individuals, guarantee 150 hotel nights, provide VIP packages to The Township and give $41,000 -- $20,000 in donations to not-for-profit organizations, $20,000 for local and regional volunteer organizations and $1,000 for the Parks and Recreation Department.

The new proposed agreement called for similar responsibilities from The Township, adding Terramont Park, in-kind use of electronic message boards to notify residents and in-kind usage of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion multipurpose building for the Expo.

The latter item would bring athletes back to Market Street after the traffic nightmares from hosting this year's Expo at Legends Sports Complex; however, "dry-floor event" policies and procedures hadn't been established yet as noted in The Township's pre-meeting synopsis of the Agenda item.

The Marathon, in its proposal, stated an influx of 25,000 athletes, media, staff, VIPs and spectators, guarantee approximately 400 hotel nights and change the financial outlay to no less than $26,000.  $25,000 combined, instead of $20,000 each, for the two categories stated above and $1,000 to the Parks and Recreation Department.

As I stated in an earlier Facebook posting, I'm no longer a member of The Woodlands Marathon committee.  I rolled off because I didn't know if I was going to have some work responsibilities with a systems conversion at a hospital that I am performing consulting services at the weekend of the 2016 event.

I was never aware of the details of the Host Venue Sponsorship Agreement while on the Marathon team.  (I did jump in and provide some in-kind media relations services during this year's event.)

Therefore, I don't know if - whatever tracking is used to prove hotel nights related to the Marathon, if that comes through the CV&B's surveys of the local hotels and their tracking (which I've seen in other cities that I've witnessed with another event director that receives HOT monies from) - the Marathon has to make that up at 'x' number of dollars per room for every one that they're short.

The biggest surprise was a proposed 10-year term, which I stated on Twitter was unprecedented for an event its size.

I found three races that have these:

+ The Pittsburgh Marathon has a 10-year title sponsorship agreement with Dick's Sporting Goods.

+ The Boston Marathon has 10-year deals with Adidas and John Hancock that don't expire until 2023 and 2024, respectively.

+ The New York City Marathon just inked a 10-year sponsorship deal with New Balance this past December.

But, you don't get what you don't ask for, right?

Director Robb seemed to imply that there might have been some limit of five years that The Township could commit to, but that wasn't real clear.

Director McMullan, who was actually the only Director in any vote last night that voted against any motion or proposal, advocated a 1- or 2-year deal, almost as if the relationship between the two parties hadn't been good.  And that's something that I've never sensed.

John Powers seemed to be in support of a longer agreement.

These were my takeaways from last night's meeting.

I'm an optimist and believe that these things will get worked out.

I've always stated that I don't know of one race director that wants to stick it to the people whose lives they temporarily interrupt for a few hours.  And I still believe that.

With the exception of Ironman Texas, the races held within The Woodlands Township are pretty much uniquely for the residents of The Township.

CB&I and Ten For Texas, as well as Run Thru The Woods, are considered "hometown races" and The Woodlands Marathon is becoming so.

I've always have seen 60-70% numbers in registrations for these races that come from The Woodlands, Spring and Montgomery County and maybe even more for the Muddy Trails Bash, which doesn't impede much traffic at all.

The very first year of Ironman Texas, there were more finishers from the state of the host venue than any other domestic Ironman (140.6) than ever before.

The bottom line is that athletes who complain about residents complaining loudly need to become more engaged and carry the positive message out regularly and consistently.

Anything less just isn't acceptable anymore.  Sorry.

You want to race on the streets that are closed specifically for you?  You're going to have to start to better state your case to do so.

But isn't having these well-produced events in the community your justification for not having to drive to the Houston and parts further south to race?

Then put a helmet on and step into the batter's box and take a few cuts.

The next collective swing?  The July 27th Board of Directors Township Meeting.  If you're reading this, make plans to be there.

(Note:  I don't mind taking the lead on matters like this, but I can clearly state - and I have in a communication earlier after Ironman Texas to the Board and the County Commissioners - that my life - and that of my daughter's - has clearly benefited from these events over the last 13 years.  If I've errored in any perceptions or recollections from last night above, please let me know and I'll make corrections.  The bottom line, to me, though, is that more people need to step up and put their money where their mouth is.  And you just can't put the weight on those who are already pretty well-connected and involved such as Fowlkes, Sutherland, Fry, Lyons and such.)

Texas' Largest Independence Day-Themed Races - 2015

In doing a review of last year's Independence Day-themed races around Texas, I was a little surprised that there weren't many, many more than what is listed below.

A couple of races - such as one in Stephenville, for example - I couldn't locate results for; however, I don't think that they would have affected the top ten races.

The largest number of finishers in any race at a single distance goes to the Baytown Bud Heatwave 5-miler as they set an all-time high for their race.  In fact, three of the largest races in Texas are in the greater Houston area.

The largest event with the most number of official timed finishers is the 30th annual Liberty By The Lake 5K with a combined number of 981 with both their 10K and 5K.

Just a few weeks when we find out who the new King in Texas is.

Until then, here is last year's list:

789 - Baytown Bud Heatwave 5M, Baytown
787 - Run Wild 5K, Houston
753 - 30th annual Liberty By The Lake 5K, The Colony
714 - Freedom 5K, Sugar Land
445 - Liberty Run 5K, Denton

444 - SanAntonio Roadrunners Fourth of July 4-Miler, San Antonio
410 - Patriot Run 5K, Trophy Club
402 - Hotter 'n Firecrackers Glow Run, Frisco
354 - Firecracker 5000, Fort Worth
335 - Rowlett Freedom 5K on Main, Rowlett

308 - Up and Running Fourth of July 5K, El Paso
304 - Red, White and Blue Race 5K, McKinney (273 + 31 Run 'n Pump)
288 - DRC Independence 5K, Dallas (July 11)
288 - Freedom 5000, Austin
275 - Four For The Fourth 4M, Corpus Christi

261 - Cox Running Club 4th 5K, Fort Worth
256 - DRC Independence 10K, Dallas (July 11)
243 - Firecracker 4, Lake Jackson
238 - 30th annual Liberty By The Lake 10K, The Colony
218 - Let Freedom Run! 5K, Schertz

216 - Popsicle Run 4M, Kyle
180 - 25th annual Joey Munoz 4th of July Memorial 5K, Laredo
176 - Firecracker 5K, Lago Vista
146 - Dallas 7K
140 - Star Spangled Salute Freedom Run 5K, Midland

137 - Firecracker Run 3M, Brownfield
136 - Lake Granbury Kiwanis Firecracker 5K, Granbury
128 - Firecracker 5K Evening Run, San Marcos (July 2)
102 - Shiner Half Moon Holiday 5K, Shiner
94 - Old Jo's Firecracker Run 5K, Saint Jo

88 - Firecracker 5K, Mexia
85 - Coolest 5K in Texas, Fort Davis
71 - Star Spangled Salute Freedom Run 10K, Midland
70 - Freedom 5K, Nacogdoches
59 - Firecracker 5K, Greenville

54 - Firecracker Run 10M, Brownfield
42 - Dallas 4K
38 - Shiner Half Moon Holiday 10K, Shiner

Bourbon Derby (Paris, KY) Half Marathon Report

If you're a runner that is chasing a goal such as running a marathon or half marathon in all 50 states, you've probably learned that it isn't so much about a particular feature of a race you want to do in a certain state.

It's more about the fit to your budget and schedule.

That being said, I very rarely look at an elevation chart.

But having done the Leadville Heavy Half in Colorado many years ago, I would only shy away from a very technical and steep trail race.

Rolling out from the start line of the third annual Bourbon Derby Half Marathon, 10-Miler and 4-Miler near Paris, Kentucky recently, I quickly realized that maybe I should revisit that policy.

While it is one of the most beautiful courses that you might run by going - literally - through many thoroughbred farms, it packs 1,147 feet of elevation change into 13.1 miles.

Throw in a race that started on a humid morning with temperatures that started at 68 degrees and eventually rose to 80 before I finished, the combination of the two dished out a beating.

This race would really best be run in early-to-mid March or in late October.

The event producer had plenty of water stations and the volunteers working them - and the rest of the course - were superb.

The race started on-time and I can't comment on post-race festivities and awards as I left to head back to my hotel in Georgetown to drive back to Indianapolis to fly home to Houston.

The most unique thing about the race is that it started and finished in the drive-in lane of a drive-in theater! You parked your car like you were there for a movie!

While running the race - or running the downhills and walking the uphills, rather, you realize that the event producer had little, if any, traffic control costs.

Most were very rural, paved roads that had very low-density traffic.

In fact, I only saw one traffic control sign - that Department of Transportation would require - on the road approaching the movie theater.

In fact some of the course was on roads through various farms that wouldn't be available to the public.

When we finished, we were given a medal that wasn't.

It was made of wood!

Being involved in event production, these two things take a significant amount out of the cost.

If it indeed goes towards the non-profit producer's stated scholarship programs and charities, no worries. It just left a different taste in my mouth.

This race was first produced two years ago and experienced very pleasant temperatures, according to weatherunderground.com -- 53 degrees at the start and 62 near the end. 324 ran the half marathon, 110 the 10-miler and another 134 did the four-miler.

Perhaps based on that, last year, 551 ran the half while 63 and 108 did the 10- and 4-milers, respectively.  However, temperatures at start time were in the 70's and stayed there.

This year, the half marathon number of finishers was way down with 258 while the 10-miler and 4-milers saw 50 and 116 runners cross the finish line, respectively.

I would never say not run this race, but I'd jump on it again if the date was moved where there were cooler temperatures.

My splits were as follows:

Mile 1 -- 12:04.69

Mile 2 -- 11:33.48

Mile 3 -- 11:54.45

Mile 4 -- 12:43.30

Mile 5 -- 12:49.87

Mile 6 -- 12:23.27

Mile 7 -- 12:27.30

Mile 8 -- 12:30.68

Mile 9 -- 14:53.93

Mile 10 -- 10:46.11 (markers were off)

Mile 11 -- 13:29.43

Mile 12 -- 11:39.88

Mile 13 -- 14:00.19

Last .1 -- 1:33.48 (didn't stop quick enough)

As soon as we made the first left-hand turn out of the drive-in theater's entrance and onto the roads, I could see the first set of hills and with the heat and humidity knew that it was going to be a "just finish" kind of day.

Sylvan Beach Triathlon All-Time Winners (2006-2016)

The event originally was the Battle of San Jacinto Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquabike from 2006-2008 before becoming the Sylvan Beach Triathlon and Duathlon in 2009.

Triathlon
Male - Overall
2006 - James Bales, 26, 2:01:08.6
2007 - James Bales, 28, 2:04:23.5
2008 - Grant Glauser, 24, 2:03:06.8
2009 - Dean King, 36, 1:30:38.1
2010 - Dean King, 37, 1:27:26.1
2011 - Dean King, 38, 1:26:33.5
2012 - Trent Stephens, 40, 1:31:41.9
2013 - Colin Caughran, 32, 1:04:31.7
2014 - Lars Finanger, 34, 1:01:05.0
2015 - Matthew Perches, 21, 1:06:30.7
2016 - Lars Finanger, 36, 1:01:02.9
Male - Masters
2006 - Tommy Elder, 54, 2:15:15.3
2007 - Rich Sumrall, 43, 2:13:25.2
2008 - Rich Sumrall, 44, 2:08:42.4
2009 - Chris Haycraft, 50, 1:40:46.2
2010 - Tom Stus, 43, 1:37:00.1
2011 - Chris Sustala, 41, 1:33:42.2
2012 - Albert Sustala, 43, 1:36:17.5
2013 - Kevin Kleinhenz, 46, 1:06:09.1
2014 - Derek Wood, 42, 1:08:50.3
2015 - Edward Aviles, 45, 1:07:43.1
2016 - Trent Stephens, 44, 1:09:35.3
Female - Overall
2006 - Julie Mosier-Crosno, 34, 2:14:20.2
2007 - Peggy Yetman, 39, 2:18:53.6
2008 - Suzanne Schwarz, 29, 2:25:56.2
2009 - Diann Sweeney, 43, 1:41:18.1
2010 - Diann Sweeney, 44, 1:39:31.5
2011 - Jessica Scott, 30, 1:48:18.0
2012 - Ann Rial Smith, 45, 1:34:47.7
2013 - Stacy Holden, 37, 1:17:26.1
2014 - Emily Finanger, 35, 1:10:03.3
2015 - Grace Benes, 32, 1:08:57.9
2016 - Emily Finanger, 37, 1:08:05.2
Female - Masters
2006 - Sheri Okeefe, 45, 2:34:12.6
2007 - Lisa Tilton-McCarthy, 41, 2:36:07.1
2008 - Suzanne Wheatall, 47, 2:40:16.0
2009 - Robin Campbell, 46, 2:00:31.1
2010 - Carlye Graydon, 40, 1:47:28.4
2011 - Jody Berry, 51, 1:49:19.2
2012 - Leslie Medley Russell, 46, 1:40:37.3
2013 - Robynne Parry, 40, 1:17:26.9
2014 - Alana Kennedy-Nasser, 40, 1:18:31.9
2015 - Michelle LeBlanc, 40, 1:16:49.4
2016 - Peggy Yetman, 48, 1:08:44.9

2006 - 1500 meter swim, 40K bike, 10K run
2009 - 1000 meter swim, 30K bike, 8K run
2010 - 1500 meter swim, 30K bike, 5 mile run
2013 - 500 meter swim, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run

Duathlon
Male - Overall
2006 - Ryon Talbot, 33, 1:57:43.3
2007 - Dana Lyons, 49, 1:54:01.8
2008 - Nathaniel Faulkenberry, 27, 1:56:18
2009 - David Depinet, 47, 1:37:27.8
2010 - Dana Lyons, 52, 1:31:29.9
2011 - John Mannion, 40, 1:34:57.9
2012 - Stephen Milford, 27, 1:30:41.6
2013 - Dana Lyons, 55, 1:09:43.7
2014 - Steve Sievert, 46, 1:13:34.7
2015 - Matthew Vance, 35, 1:09:36.9
2016 - Gabe Gomez, 40, 1:10:47.3
Male - Masters
2006 - Michael Waldau, 52, 2:10:50.3
2007 - Michael Waldau, 54, 2:15:34.2
2008 - Stuart Page, 46, 2:05:33
2009 - Ben Harvie, 63, 1:43:05.7
2010 - David Depinet, 47, 1:37:42.1
2011 - Taylor Ewing, 48, 1:36:33.1
2012 - Pedro Rodriguez, 43, 1:36:09.9
2013 - Steve Sievert, 45, 1:15:20.7
2014 - Brett Cole, 47, 1:13:56.1
2015 - John Impey, 46, 1:12:50.3
2016 - Michael Halpin, 49, 1:13:21.7
Female - Overall
2006 - Donna Kouwe, 49, 2:33:44.0
2007 - Bridget Jensen, 44, 2:08:34.5
2008 - Tamatha Ray, 41, 2:29:40
2009 - Anne Ekern, 41, 1:43:42.3
2010 - Anne Ekern, 42, 1:43:03.5
2011 - Anne Ekern, 43, 1:42:40.7
2012 - Dianne Garban, 46, 1:40:04.8
2013 - Mandi Rogers, 34, 1:21:25.5
2014 - Katylynn Welsch, 14, 1:23:59.0
2015 - Amy Craft, 39, 1:19:16.5
2016 - Lisa Roberts, 38, 0:57:25.9
Female - Masters
2006 - Danielle Keller, 40, 2:34:34.3
2007 - Tonya Arnold, 42, 2:37:48.0
2008 - Diana Ballard, 48, 2:49:38
2009 - Allison Le Compte, 49, 1:49:28.0
2010 - Bridget Jensen, 47, 1:50:58.4
2011 - Tamatha Ray, 44, 1:51:29.4
2012 - Maggie Kattan, 41, 1:37:56.7
2013 - Dianne Garban, 47, 1:25:58.8
2014 - Anne Ekern, 46, 1:24:39.9
2015 - Triny Willerton, 44, 1:24:13.1
2016 - Casey Brand, 44, 1:23:46.9

2006 - 2 mile run, 40K bike, 6.35 mile run
2009 - 2 mile run, 30K bike, 8K run
2010 - 2 mile run, 30K bike, 5 mile run
2013 - 2 mile run, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run

Aguabike
Male - Overall
2006 - John Zepeda, 37, 1:29:28.7
2007 - Karl Stewart, 39, 1:32:23.3
Male - Masters
2006 - Robert Reese, 44, 1:31:43.5
2007 - William Neff, 48, 2:10:16.6
Female - Overall
2006 - Tracy Ferando, 41, 1:40:44.7
2007 - Jennifer Felder, 30, 2:04:26.7
Female - Masters
2006 - Michelle Case, 48, 1:51:43.1
2007 - Joanne Murphey, 43, 2:25:59.6

2006 - 1500 meter swim, 40K bike

Texas Marathons - By Facebook Followers

Below is a complete list of Texas marathons, ranked by the number of Facebook followers they had as of 12 noon, June 1, 2016:

37,244 - Rock 'N' Roll San Antonio Marathon
30,710 - Chevron Houston Marathon
28,275 - South Padre Island Marathon
26,020 - Austin Marathon
23,823 - BMW Dallas Marathon

19,823 - The Cowtown Marathon (Fort Worth)
15,261 - BCS Marathon (Bryan-College Station)
12,689 - GE Irving Marathon
  7,663 - Fidelity Investments The Woodlands Marathon
  5,425 - McAllen Marathon

  5,219 - New Year's Double, encompassing New Year's Eve and New  Year's Day Marathons (Allen)
  4,777 - Michelob Ultra Marathon
  4,672 - Exygon & Baptist Hospitals Gusher Marathon (Beaumont)
  3,146 - Fort Worth Marathon
  2,698 - Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon

  2,499 - Galveston Marathon
  2,340 - Miracle Match Marathon (Waco)
  2,325 - Memorial Hermann USA Fit Marathon (Sugar Land)
  1,244 - Surfside Beach Marathon
     802 - Marathon 2 Marathon

     757 - **Dust Bowl Series Marathons (Dalhart) - Closed Facebook Group
     723 - **Cross Timbers Trail Run (Lake Texoma) - Closed Facebook Group
     711 - Amarillo Marathon
     609 - Grasslands Trail Run (Decatur)
     587 - Crazy Desert Trail Race (San Angelo)
     185 - Frankenthon Monster (Cedar Park) - Public Facebook Group

The following marathons did not have their own separate pages, but rather their content was accounted for through a parent company's Facebook page:

17,183 - *Big-D (Dallas) - Mellew Production Events Facebook Page
17,183 - *Tyler Rose Marathon - Mellew Production Events Facebook Page
10,928 - *Brazos Bend Marathon (Needville) - Trail Racing Over Texas Facebook Page
 8,916 - *HITS Running Festival (Austin) - HITS Running Facebook Page
 7,022 - *Hill Country Marathon (Marble Falls) - Traverse Running Facebook Page

The Texas Marathon and the Davy Crockett Bear Chase, produced in Kingwood and Groveton, respectively, by Steve and Paula Boone, do not have their own Facebook pages.