Another Beautiful Night for a Run!

UPDATED Race Results Posted -- Click Here

The new location was a big hit with at least one runner (my son) saying how much he enjoyed the beautiful finish and running toward the lights at Stagecoach Village.  Those who took the time to wander the site probably noticed what a beautiful new destination location we have in Cave Creek.  The DJ stayed until 9 and many stayed to enjoy the firepits and have a glass of wine in the wine/beer garden.

Kids stayed to make S'Mores and do crafts or jump on the bouncy.  It was a great time for everyone.

I have been honored to have been founder and race director of this event since its inception 6 years ago.  I was just looking at the photos from the first race and it is amazing to see. My son, who was only 4 at the time (pictured far-left above in a photo from year 1) doing the Desert Dash is now 10 and had his "best time ever" in the 4-mile run.  My daughter, who was in 2nd grade the first year will be a Freshman next year. Time sure flies. 

This is my last "official" year as race director for the event as the event is currently supported by and proceeds benefit Black Mountain Elementary School PTO and my youngest child is graduating from there this year.  I want to thank the wonderful sponsors who help make this event a success and the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers I have worked with over the years. I am working on a comprehensive list so I make sure not to forget any of you. You are all wonderful.

Thank you to my hubby, Matt Reeves who has supported me throughout the years and who has done an amazing job of organizing luminaria crews the past three years.  Thank you to Maria Hames who has been a godsend and provided me my first "relaxed" race the year she took over as course director. She did an amazing job organizing the run course and making sure everyone was safe. She also took on the added job of sponsorship sales the past two years when our sponsorship sales coordinator moved back to New York (why would anyone move back there?). Maria is also in her last year as her youngest is graduating from Black Mountain. Maria will be very hard to replace.

Thank you to Arizona Running Events Company for being with us every step of the way...next year we're thinking chip timing because the event is so big.  Thank you to Peggy Sheedy for giving me this crazy idea of creating an event around a luminaria trail.

Thank you to Bart at Indian Village for believing in me that day seven years ago when I walked in and shared my hairbrained idea for a race....and who has been with us ever since and others like Kim and Eric at Big Earl's Greasy Eats, Charles and Julie at Bad Donkey, Barb & Ric Slaughter from Ric's Body and Paint (that were gold sponsors for five years and Barb, along with Susan Folts ran the luminaria crews for two years), the Coyne Family from Renaissance Exterior Development (that were also gold sponsors for five years and bronze sponsors this year).  Thank you to Mark Long from Award Innovations -- also with us from the first year and providing t-shirts and great child-finisher medals/ribbons each year.  Andrea Lotti who sold huge sponsorships a few years ago because she just "loved the race so much".

Thank you to Ann Ramsey who provided support and leadership those early years (she was a longtime race director of another race when I met her) and to Guy for all his help.

Thank you to the new folks who have stepped up to help...to Darcy Schuster for taking over permitting from Ann when her daughter left BMES and to Gracie Bowen and Jan Boley for helping with the post-race Thank-Yous. 

Check back in a little bit. A very thoughtful gentleman took a ton of photos for us last night. I will be posting some soon.