BCRR Update: December 22nd, 2025

 

Greetings Bayou City Road Runners The Word from the Bird ­ In This Newsletter:  ­ Happy Chrismakkuh Week! Recap: BCRR Holiday Party & John's Looong Run Wednesday: Christmas Eve - No Official BCRR Rice Run! New Year's Eve Party! Save The Dates:  Annual GRB Run - Jan. 4, 2026 Pre-Marathon Pasta Loading Party - Jan. 9, 2026 Post-Marathon Party - Jan 11, 2026 ­ ­ Recap: BCRR Holiday Party  A great time was had by all at the Annual BCRR Holiday Party on Friday.   Upon entering, attendees were given a choice of "Dueling" Welcome Cocktails: A spicy habanero  margarita (concocted by Anna Helm and Chuck Bracht) v. a sweet passion fruit margarita (courtesy of Hope and Joe Sellers). Consensus? Both Winners! In lieu of our usual buffet, we were treated to Mexican food freshly grilled on site. For dessert, we enjoyed a selection of holiday cookies (and pie!), brought by participants in our annual Cookie Contest. Consensus? Everyone a Winner! Huge thanks to Cheryl Verlander and Chuck Bracht for hosting the event in their beautiful home. Special thanks to Anna Helm for being the heavy lifter in organizing the party in collaboration with Cheryl and Chuck. Thank you to June Harris, Joel DuBois, Joe and Hope Sellers and the rest of the BCRR board for their help as well. Lastly, thank you to everyone who brought baked goods to the party! It was a wonderful night with friends - old and new! ­ 25th Annual John's Loooong Run RECAP ­ The 25th Anniversary John's Looong run is history! It's official: 525 Miles and counting...and we did the 21 miles this year in oppressive heat and humidity! It was a very warm day but everyone persevered! A huge thank you to all who made this year's John's Looong Run a success: Alan Svoboda for marking the course; John Phillips and Joel DuBois for setting out/retrieving the water stops; June Harris and Kathi Mahon for course support, Susan Cita, Sue Leone, and Edward Fras for preparing all the delicious food. (Apologies if someone left out.)   Huge thanks to Sue Leone and Alan Svoboda for hosting this special event in their home again this year! Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Commemorative Shirts Still Available: 25th Anniversary John's Loooong Run Tech Shirt! 525 Miles and counting!  You'll be proud to be seen in this one-of-a-kind shirt - only $10 cash, check, cc or Venmo. Contact houstonbcrr@gmail.com if you would like one. ­ New Year's Eve Party You're Invited! ­ Lisa Thompson has invited everyone to her epic New Year's Eve Party at the Modern B&B! This year, the event is a collaboration with the Morgensterns. Come prepared to have a good time and stay up till midnight! When: New Year's Eve, Dec. 31st, 7PM Where: The Modern B&B, 4007 Hazard St, HTX 77019 What: Champagne Tower! Music! Snacks! (I don't know about you, but they had me with "Champagne Tower"!) ­ BCRR THIS WEEK:  🏃🏃‍♀️ 😎 Monday 7PM: Mellow Monday.  Dinner afterwards.  😤 Tuesday: Happy Festivus! Air grievances! 🎄✨  Wednesday: Christmas Eve. No Official Rice Run.  🎄🎅 Thursday: Merry Christmas! 🏃🏃‍♀️ Sunday 6:30AM: Memorial Park Tennis Center. ­ Happy Birthday Happy Birthday This Week:  12/22 Romuald Budiman 12/22 Scott Carrasco ­ Welcome New Member Welcome New Member:  Siren Li ­ Sunday Hydration Support Thank you to John Phillips, Joel DuBois for setting out the water and Gatorade for John's Loooong Run this weekend. BCRR regular long runs resume Sunday.                                                       🥛🥛🥛  Who likes water during the Sunday long runs? Our Sunday morning hydration team could use a your help. Please contact Loris at Loris0105@yahoo.com for more information on how to volunteer!

BCRR Update: December 15th, 2025

 

Greetings Bayou City Road Runners The Word from the Bird ­ In This Newsletter:  ­ Happy Hanukkah! Recap: Holiday Lights Run, Coach Andy's 30K & Children's Party Wednesday: BCRR Festive Lights Run in Rice Area - 33rd Consecutive Valhalla Sponsored Tab by Elena "Mimi" Jones!  Friday - BCRR Holiday Party - Dec. 19th! RSVP BY WEDNESDAY Sunday: 25th Annual John's Looong Run - Dec. 21st! RSVP BY WED. 25th Anniversary Commemorative Tech Shirts  Save The Dates:  Pre-Marathon Pasta Loading Party - Jan. 9, 2026 Post-Marathon Party - Jan 11, 2026 ­ ­ Holiday/Marathon Event Schedule BCRR Holiday Party - Friday, December 19, 7:00PM - Chuck & Cheryl's House - Details Below John's Loooong Run - Sunday, December 21 - Sue & Alan's House- Details Below GRG Run - Sunday, January 4 , 6:30AM - Memorial Park Tennis Center Pre-Marathon Pasta Loading Party - January 9th, 2026 -The Montrose Center ­ RECAP: XMAS Lights Run, Children's Party, Coach Andy's 30k We had a busy, busy week! On Wednesday, we had another successful Xmas Lights Run through River Oaks in collaboration with HARRA. Approximately 40 people showed up for the run and many came to the after party at Kenneally's Pub. On Saturday, Lisa Thompson hosted a special holiday party for the kids of BCRR at the Modern B&B. They made and decorated cookies, played games and got an early exposure to the joy and potential of Mardi Gras beads. On Sunday, several BCRR runners towed the line at the Coach Andy's 30K/10K in Sugar Land. It was a cool, windy day and everyone gave it their all. BCRR was well represented on the podium! Kudos to the Houston Harriers for a terrific, well organized race! Final HARRA Series race: The Houston Marathon on January 11, 2026. Coach Andy's Results ­ Wednesday: Festive Lights Rice Run  This Wednesday we meet at our usual spot, the First Christian Church Parking Lot, at 6:30PM. Instead of the usual route, we will run a course through the neighborhood to view the festive holiday lights of Rice U. area. Andrew Young has mapped the route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45109427.  Also available on Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3302053019125966652 After the run, join us at Valhalla for the 33rd consecutive sponsored tab, courtesy of Elena "Mimi" Jones. ­ BCRR Holiday Party - Friday, Dec. 19 When: December 19, 2025 - 7PM  Where: Home of Cheryl Verlander & Chuck Bracht, (see your weekly email or contact houstonbcrr@gmail.com for address)  What: Our Annual Holiday Party!  RSVP AND SAVE! Cost if you RSVP by Wednesday, Dec. 17th: FREE for members; $15 for their non-member guests; $30 for Non-members (includes BCRR Membership). Kids Free. At the Door with no RSVP: $10 for members; $20 for their non-member guests; $35 for non-members (includes BCRR Membership). Kids Free. (Cash, check or Venmo accepted)   Dress: Seasonally Festive - sequined ball gowns, ugly sweaters, or Xmas pajamas all acceptable attire.     Special Welcome Cocktail! -  Mexican Food (grilled on site; meat and vegetarian options)! -  Wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks (feel free to bring a bottle to share)! -  Special Giveaways! Gift Cards! Race Entries!      BCRR Christmas Cookie Showcase! We have some great bakers out there! We invite you to bring your best cookies to share. Its not a contest! Everyone's a winner!   This is an adult party; however, kids are welcome and a babysitter will be provided. The residence has an outdoor pool where food is being served. For safety, children under 13 will be upstairs.  Please let us know if you are bringing a child so we will have enough babysitters.   PLEASE RSVP VIA LINK BELOW (OR BY EMAIL TO HOUSTONBCRR@GMAIL.COM) BY WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 SO WE CAN PLAN FOR AN OPTIMAL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL! RSVP ­ 25th Annual John's Loooong Run THIS Sunday Dec 21st, 6:30AM It's time for one of the highlights of the year - John's Looong Run!  But this year is even more special because it is the 25th Anniversary of the event begun by John Phillips, which is hosted once again by Sue Leone & Alan Svoboda at their home (See your weekly email or contact houstonbcrr@gmail.com for address). The 21-ish mile course runs around Memorial Park, through River Oaks and Tanglewood neighborhoods and ends back at Sue and Alan's where all manner of breakfast food, beverages, and camaraderie awaits. Pool and hot tub available, so bring your towel! All we ask is for a $10 donation at the door ($15 for non-member guests). (Cash, check or Venmo)   Not running? Consider volunteering to help with the breakfast prep or water stop duty. Reply to this email or contact Alan at svobodeaux007@gmail.com. The route can be shortened if 21 miles is not on your training schedule.    Detailed course info in graphic above and on Strava. Course well-marked (mile markers and directional arrows) with colored paint on the street. There are 6 Gatorade/water stations in addition to the water fountains in Memorial Park. More details on the link below.   We ask that you RSVP so that we have enough food and drink. INFO & RSVP But there's more....25th Anniversary Commemorative Shirts: 25th Anniversary John's Loooong Run Tech Shirt! 525 Miles and counting!  Available at the start and finish - only $10 cash, check, cc or Venmo. ­ BCRR THIS WEEK:  🏃🏃‍♀️ 😎 Monday 7PM: Mellow Monday. Memorial Park Tennis Center. Dinner afterwards.  🏃🍺 🎄✨ Wednesday 6:30PM: Meet at First Christian Church for a festive run through the Rice neighborhood to view the lights. Tab at Valhalla courtesy of Elena "Mimi" Jones! 🍸🎅🎄 Friday 7:00PM: BCRR Holiday Party - Chuck and Cheryl's - RSVP 🏃🏃‍♀️🍺 Sunday 6:30AM: John's Looong Run - Sue and Alan's House (no official long run start from the Tennis Center) RSVP ­ Happy Birthday Happy Birthday This Week:  12/16 Roxann Craft 12/16 Claire Daum 12/16 Tina Reynolds 12/19 Marie Hutchinson 12/20 Claudia Verm (NAG*) *New Age Group ­ Sunday Hydration Support This Week: John's Looong Run from Sue and Alan's. BCRR regular long runs resume next Sunday.                                                      🥛🥛🥛  Who likes water during the Sunday long runs? Our Sunday morning hydration team could use a your help. Please contact Loris at Loris0105@yahoo.com for more information on how to volunteer!