P.O.C. 5K winner, Casey Roth, crosses the finish line. -Photo by Grayson Graves Photography
On October 8th, the roads around King Fisher Beach sustained a serious pounding by hundreds of running shoes as athletic-minded folks from near and far participated in Port O’Connor’s first ever 5K, the P.O.C. Style 5K Run/Walk. For those of us who are not very familiar with athletic events, a 5K is a distance race (approximately 3.1 miles) that demands a great deal of aerobic endurance, where runners race against each other, while trying to top their own best speed.
The 5K is one of the track events in the Olympic Games, but what makes it so attractive to regular folks who have no Olympic aspirations? According to one frequent 5K-er, the Dolphin’s own Jasmine Gordon, “It’s about a sense of accomplishment; no matter if you are a runner or walker. It feels great to cross that finish line and know your body is capable of a task many find intimidating.”
More than 100 participated in the P.O.C. Style 5K. It was electronically timed and the results are posted on:
http://www.wix.com/pocstyle5k/5k-web1
In his first road race in ten years, Casey Roth came in fastest overall at 19.33 minutes. The winning female was Kira Quiring with a time of 23.24 minutes. In the kids division, Kevin Resenidiz was first at 24.43 minutes.
The event was the brainchild of Natasha Helm, an Austin event planner, who is from Victoria, but spent most weekends, holidays and summers, in Port O’Connor fishing with her family.
While in college (University of Texas at Austin), Natahsa took an interest in event planning, gaining much experience interning at business networking events, the bridal/wedding industry and several non-proft road races, but leaving no time for volunteering or community service.
After graduation in December of 2010, Natasha knew she wanted to do something good for the community – to give back in some way or another. “It was actually all perfect timing,” she said. “I was looking to expand my career and at the same time volunteer my time to the community. So the idea of coordinating a 5K run in Port O’Connor was right up my alley. I took no time to ponder the question of the possibility of constructing such an event in Port O’Connor…I knew its potential.”
Natasha says the POC Style 5K and Dolphin Run Kids K will be an annual event. She’s looking forward to an even better turnout next year.
“I am now brainstorming on another off-season event to sustain the local business economy,” she continued, “and to continue tourist attraction year round. I would like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for putting their faith in a young, recent graduate. The opportunity to work with them was very rewarding and resulted in a very successful event.”
The P.O.C. 5K was just one of 269 such events in Texas held during the month of October. (Also held locally, on October 29, was the Monster Dash at the Calhoun County Airport, sponsored by the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce. See report in this issue.) Many of these are held to benefit causes such as cancer research, the Wounded Warriors programs, and pet rescues. The Port O’Connor event benefitted the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce with a donation of $2,443.99. Leftover snacks and beverages were donated to the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department.
Natasha Helm presents check to Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce. Left to right: Natasha Helm; POC Chamber Secretary Barbara Crouch; POC Chamber Treasurer LaJune Pitonyak; POC Chamber Board Members, Joyce Jordan and Ann Brownlee.
POC 5K Photos by Grayson Graves Photography
