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 The
Buzz Run started in 2004 as The Southern Stampede. The
Southern Stampede was a 1 mile and 5K run around the
neighborhoods of Cleburne. The first year, we really thought
of ourselves as a fundraiser.
The idea came about when Shauna Boles and Monty Gossett took
the Coleman Elementary School running team, The Stampede, to
run in The Zoo Run at the Fort Worth Zoo. Our principal,
Susie Sarchet, went along to help chaperone the event and to
see what all the fuss was about. The following Monday, she
and I met in the teachers lounge and both had the same idea
in our heads. I think we can do that, was Mrs. Sarchets
quote, and the seed was planted.
Throughout the years, Cleburne Independent School District
has had an abundance of running teams at the elementary
level. Sharon Kimberling has sponsored The Stingers at
Cleburne Intermediate School since the school first opened.
Tammy Blair has The Marti Wranglers at Marti Elementary
and has been sponsoring that group since Marti opened, as
well. When Shauna Boles became the physical education
teacher at Coleman, she started The Stampede. Of course,
the Middle School and High School both have competitive
Cross Country Teams, also. It dawned on us that we were
taking all of these runners and all of their money out of
Cleburne every weekend to support some cause in the
Metroplex. Why not capitalize on the local talent we have
and keep our runners in town for one weekend out of the
year?
The first year, The Southern Stampede drew over 700 runners.
The turnout was good enough that we decided to try it again
in 2005. Unfortunately, we realized that our name needed to
change because there were already too many Stampedes in
our area. A local runner and Coleman parent, Connie Sloan,
came up with the name The Buzz Run. We solicited the help of
Jim Abt, a talented local athlete, to help us develop our
race course and made the decision to add another race to our
event.
The Buzz Run now includes the mile, 5K, Quarterthon (6.55
miles) and Challenge. We added the Quarterthon and Challenge
to our event to try to attract runners who might be in
training for the upcoming Turkey Trots and Whiterock
Marathon and might need a longer distance than just a 5K.
The courses are challenging but not overwhelming.
The Buzz Run 2005 drew 996 runners from areas as far as
Midland, Texas. The event drew athletes from the Metroplex
which we had hoped to do by adding the Quarterthon and
Challenge. The overall male winner of the 5K was Clint Bell
of Wilmer, Texas. He was also the overall male winner of the
Quarterthon. The overall female winner of the 5K was Katie
Shaw of Cleburne, Texas. The overall female winner of the
Quarterthon was Connie Sloan of Cleburne, Texas.
Coleman Elementary School has partnered with the Cleburne
Athletic Booster Club for The Buzz Run 2006. The run just
got to be bigger than Coleman Elementary, said Shauna
Boles, Race Director. We did not want to sacrifice the
quality of the event as it continues to grow; therefore, we
had to find a partner that would be a good fit. We think the
CABC is a perfect match. They are a large group of athletic
minded people who are willing to volunteer for the
betterment of good cause. Together, Coleman Elementary
School and the CABC are working hard for the planning of The
Buzz Run 2006.
The races and courses will remain the same this year. The
Buzz Run has one of the best goodie bags in the area and the
volunteers are striving to make it even better this year.
The post-race entertainment, food and drink are shaping up
nicely as well. In addition, plans are in the works to have
a concession stand available for spectators at this years
event.
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