The Levelland Main Street, in partnership with the West Texas Running Club (WTRC), has announced the second year of the newly re-branded “Run the Mosaics” race.
The former Levelland race, established roughly four decades ago, “The Levelland Lope,” was first started in 1980 with Bobby Birdsong, a Levelland High School BiologyTeacher and avid runner, as its race director. Birdsong would go on to serve in this capacity through 1988. Upon his passing, the race would take on a memorial epitaph in remembrance of his service to Levelland and the WTRC.
The WTRC was started in 1972 by Gene Adams who moved from Tulsa to Brownfield and met up with then High School Track Coach James Morris, who would go on to become the long-time Track and Field Director and Coach for South Plains College, in Levelland. The two men decided to start a running club, since at the time none existed in the area and the rest is history.
Now, 300 plus members strong, the club is excited to be bringing this particular race, with a new flair and route back home, to Levelland.
Lydia Turner and Reeda York, are back for a second year as race directors and WTRC members. Tania Moody, working in as “Interim” Main Street Manager, is back once again to assist in this endeavor and the three ladies with the support and endorsement of the club, are hitting the ground running.
“Run the Mosaics, Bobby Birdsong Memorial Race, is a no brainer, said Mood. “Here in Levelland we are “Living la Vida Mosaic” and we want to showcase and share the amazing people and historic art pieces that make us unique.”
The 10K participants will run by 30-plus mosaics (including some new show stoppers) and each one will be marked by a turquoise City of Mosaics Flag to catch the eye of passers-by.
A brand new mosaic race tshirts will be sported on those that pre-ordered and the opportunity after the race to enjoy Downtown Levelland’s 20plus unique retail boutiques that open at 10 a.m. Main Street encourages visitors to hang out, shop and take in the newly completed self-guided on-line tours of the 124 mosaics at their website, https:// downtownlevelland.com/1768/ Levelland-City-of-Mosaics-Virtual-Tours.
The event begins June 8 with the 10K beginning at 7:30 a.m., the 2M race begins at 8 p.m. and the 1M begins at 9 a.m. The event will be starting at 607 Avenue G. Those interested can go to, www.wtrunning.com/club-races/ june-race/ for maps, information, registration and pickup. Late registration is Thursday, June 6, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Houston and Avenue G in Levelland and at Foot Tech North 19th and Quaker, Lubbock.
Online signups will expire Wednesday, prior to race day at Noon. Bib pickup and ldate registration will be at 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 a.m., by the Gazebo on that corner.
Race times are listed above and allow for 10K runners to finish and get back to the starting line in time to run/walk the 1M Fun Run with friends, family or kiddos.
This years sponsors include Foot Tech, Keeling Insurance, Invicta, Levelland Physical Therapy, Ag Texas, HCSECU, Atchison’s Jewelry, KLVT Radio and Allied Oilfield.