Runners get ready at the 2021 5th Annual Parra Law Run
The the start of the 2023 Cross Country season is only a few weeks out but in West Texas we get to have a nice little pre season 5k to get the athletes pumped up for what is to come. In El Paso, it has become an annual tradition for what has become the race of the summer. Coach McLain from Eastwood has been running this race for years now and it has become a way for athletes throughout the city to get rid of race jitters and settle into some solid pacing before the XC season even begins. Next week we will see some of El Paso's best come out and race at the 2023 Jim Omohundro Courage Memorial Sundown Rundown 5K Run.
Although it's advertised as a fun race/walk, we've seen some intense competition in the past. We've seen people from out-of-town travel to come race as well as some well-known collegiate runners come and use it as a competitive race to stay active and ready. In the past we've seen the race run in the morning but the format this year has changed as we will see this race become a night race. We also have a change of venue! This year the race will also again be sponsored by the Jim Omohundro family. The Omohundro family has quickly become a household name that can be associated with a lot of philanthropic work that involves higher education and community out reach in the city of El Paso.
We were able to catch up to Coach McLain and talk a little about what we can expect as well as how he feels about the upcoming cross-country season.
TxMileSplit: How many years have you been running this race now and for those unfamiliar about what you're doing, tell us also why you started this race from the beginning.
Coach McLain: This is our 8th year. We started the race for several reasons: 1) as a motivator for kids to do their summer training 2) as a fundraiser so our kids can run in the Nike south regional 3) to have a unique night time road race which is rare in El Paso.
TxMileSplit: So, you mentioned briefly about moving the road race to where you held your Trooper Twilight last year in the 2022 XC season. Why did the location change?
Coach McLain: It's a great location for night time races and the course was designed to be fast and spectator friendly!
TxMileSplit: What can we expect from your runners in this race and in the upcoming season?
Coach McLain: Our team is small this year, but the runners we have are 100% dedicated so I am looking for good things from both our girls' and boys' teams
TxMileSplit: Although we can't fully divulge some exciting MileSplit collaboration news with the city in the upcoming season, what can you tell us about the 2023 Trooper Twilight invitational?
Coach McLain: We feel like the Fred Loya Track Invitational and the Trooper Twilight will quickly become the best and biggest meet in the El Paso area. Most importantly, to give the local runners a meet on the schedule in El Paso to look forward to.
Schools that will be in attendance: Eastwood, San Elizario, Bel Air, El Paso Franklin, Tornillo, Montwood
The race takes place a little over a week from now on July 21, at 7:30 pm MST. It'll take place at the Eastside Sport Complex which last year was also home to the Trooper Twilight race. All race information can be accessed here.