The West Texas Running Club (WTRC) is hosting its fourth annual ‘Run the Mosaics’ Bobby Birdsong Memorial Race around Levelland Main Street on June 13.
The event, previously called “The Levelland Lope”, was started by Bobby Birdsong in 1980. Birdsong was a Levelland High School biology teacher and an avid runner. He served as the director for the race up until 1988.
After Birdsongs’ passing, the race was moved to Lubbock before returning to Levelland in 2023. A year later, it was rebranded the ‘Run the Mosaics’ Bobby Birdsong Memorial Race, both to honor Birdsong’s contributions to the Levelland community and WTRC and to reflect communal pride in Levelland’s unique mosaics.
The race is currently directed by Lydia Turner and Reeda York, Levelland locals and members of WTRC, who have been running the event since its return to Levelland.
The race consists of three events, including a 10K starting at 7:30 a.m., a 2-mile starting at 7:33 a.m., and a kid’s run at 9 a.m.
In an interview, Turner explained that the 10K usually lasts about an hour and a half, the 2 miles about 30 minutes, and the kid’s race about 20 minutes. Children can be of “whatever age up to 9. If you’re four years old and can run a mile, they can participate.” She did note that if a child is under 6 years of age, they must be accompanied by a parent during the race.
Turner emphasized that the 10K route “tries to cover as many mosaics in Levelland as possible.” Around 50 of the mosaics in Levelland are around the square, where the race starts and finishes.
“That’s how we set the route,” said Turner. “First of all, we have to keep runners safe. It’s an open course, so there is traffic, but we still want to run through as many mosaics as we could.”
Levelland was designated the city of mosaics in 2019. A few of the art pieces date as far back as the 1960s. Wild Mustangs by Don Stroud is the oldest dated piece, from 1968. “Don Stroud had the idea to do a mosaic, and just because he was involved in art and loved the art. It’s out at South Plains College, the first mosaic,” stated Turner.
Many participants in the race are members of WTRC from cities in Shallow Water, Slaton, Brownfield, and Lubbock, where the organization hosts other events. However, nonmembers are welcome to participate for a 20$ fee.
Members pay a $15 annual fee and $8 to participate in the race. To enter the race, go to wtrunning.com. The WTCP is also selling special shirts with a design nod to 100 years of Levelland.
“You never know if you're gonna get people who can run under a five-minute mile or people who just jog along slow,” joked Turner. “This race has participants from the ages of 4 years old to 92 years old.”
Funds generated from the race help support other WTRC events. “Medals that are given away are really fancy and special. They are made with a special design for each and every race. Lots of colors. Our race in Lubbock in the Buddy Holly District had Buddy Hollythemed medals with glasses,” Turner said.
Funds also go to pay for running club insurance, refreshments, a professional timing system, and a scholarship fund.
When asked how she thought the race brought the community together, Turner stated that it did because “well, anybody can do it.” “On the two-mile, we have people who pretty much walk. We start at our beautiful courthouse, and you can just visit. Runners are very encouraging people, so if there are runners who have never done a race before, people encourage and cheer them on. It’s very welcoming.”
Turner says that anyone can volunteer to help with the race and that they “don’t have to volunteer long and don’t have to know a thing in the world about running.”
Volunteers are asked to lay flags so runners will notice mosaics, man the water stations, help at the bib pickup, and work at corners to ensure runners stay on course as they make their way through downtown Levelland.