getnthinr
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,008
Short Version: The Victory Junction Run Half was hard, and I enjoyed it immensely.
Long Version: While looking for a new Turkey Trot, I stumbled across a walker-friendly inaugural half marathon to be held in Randleman NC within 2 hours of my house. It was called the Victory Junction Run and it was created to raise funds for the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a camp for seriously ill/injured kids founded by the Petty family (NASCAR racing legends) in memory of Adam Petty, who died in a racing accident. As part of the John Bingham Racing Series, the race promised a good time and a Penguin medal. Participants had the option of raising additional money for the camp or just paying an entry fee, but as a Mom myself, asking for contributions for this camp was a given. To my surprise and delight, my donors were so generous that I was invited to attend a special VIP function held at Petty Enterprises the night before the race. There I not only got a great gift bag from the camp/Pettys, but I also got to speak to the Pettys in person.
They were extremely gracious hosts, and not only gave us a tour of the Petty Enterprises facility, but served a catered dinner at which John Bingham and Kyle & Pattie Petty spoke about the race and the camp.
JB also presented the Pettys with a check for $65,000 for the camp from the race proceeds not bad for a first year.
Race day (Sunday) was clear and cool.
Richard Petty waved a green flag to start us, and Kyle and Pattie high-fived us in the first mile or so of the course. If you like Nashville, Baltimore, or Cincinnati, youd like this course. I found out they dont call it the footHILLS of NC for nothing. This was a pretty difficult course, but the volunteers and course support were great, even at my excruciatingly slow pace. The finish inside the elaborately NASCAR-themed camp (imagine Disney built a NASCAR section into one of their parks seriously, this place is awesome!) capped off the challenging run. I have no idea what my finish time was because I was too busy staring at Kyle and Pattie Petty who were BOTH waiting for me at the finish line with a high-five even shouting Go, Wendy! (first names were printed on your racing bib if you preregistered).
I should say this race followed the heels of the Run at the Rock 7-mile trail run at Cedarock Park in Burlington on Saturday. (I only fell once this time, when I got tangled up in some barbed wire, so I think I may be getting a little better at the trail stuff.) I am sore as the dickens right now, but it should make next weekends very flat Kiawah marathon seem easy.
Thanks to those of you who supported me with your donations. This camp is phenomenal and Id encourage you to contribute, or to run, or both next year.
Long Version: While looking for a new Turkey Trot, I stumbled across a walker-friendly inaugural half marathon to be held in Randleman NC within 2 hours of my house. It was called the Victory Junction Run and it was created to raise funds for the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a camp for seriously ill/injured kids founded by the Petty family (NASCAR racing legends) in memory of Adam Petty, who died in a racing accident. As part of the John Bingham Racing Series, the race promised a good time and a Penguin medal. Participants had the option of raising additional money for the camp or just paying an entry fee, but as a Mom myself, asking for contributions for this camp was a given. To my surprise and delight, my donors were so generous that I was invited to attend a special VIP function held at Petty Enterprises the night before the race. There I not only got a great gift bag from the camp/Pettys, but I also got to speak to the Pettys in person.
They were extremely gracious hosts, and not only gave us a tour of the Petty Enterprises facility, but served a catered dinner at which John Bingham and Kyle & Pattie Petty spoke about the race and the camp.
JB also presented the Pettys with a check for $65,000 for the camp from the race proceeds not bad for a first year.
Race day (Sunday) was clear and cool.
Richard Petty waved a green flag to start us, and Kyle and Pattie high-fived us in the first mile or so of the course. If you like Nashville, Baltimore, or Cincinnati, youd like this course. I found out they dont call it the footHILLS of NC for nothing. This was a pretty difficult course, but the volunteers and course support were great, even at my excruciatingly slow pace. The finish inside the elaborately NASCAR-themed camp (imagine Disney built a NASCAR section into one of their parks seriously, this place is awesome!) capped off the challenging run. I have no idea what my finish time was because I was too busy staring at Kyle and Pattie Petty who were BOTH waiting for me at the finish line with a high-five even shouting Go, Wendy! (first names were printed on your racing bib if you preregistered).
I should say this race followed the heels of the Run at the Rock 7-mile trail run at Cedarock Park in Burlington on Saturday. (I only fell once this time, when I got tangled up in some barbed wire, so I think I may be getting a little better at the trail stuff.) I am sore as the dickens right now, but it should make next weekends very flat Kiawah marathon seem easy.
Thanks to those of you who supported me with your donations. This camp is phenomenal and Id encourage you to contribute, or to run, or both next year.
I didn't know you were even doing it so I was very pleasantly surprised to read you report. I had wondered if any of the group would be doing it but since I had been soooo bad about posting I hadn't caught if anyone mentioned it. But figured it had to be mentioned since I would hazard a guess that everyone of us received the emails about it from the Penguin's site LOL
