A funny thing happened at Zoo Run

Zoo Run turned into an NCAA cross country meet!

As you know, Zoo Run is a 30ish year tradition of informal 2-mile races through Brackenridge Park that occurs Wednesday nights from April through October.  Well, the 'race director' of Zoo Run this last decade, Joan Bobrukiewiez, retired from DOD (Navy) Civil Service yesterday, and today was her first day of retirement.  For this, we were planning on burning some hotdogs and having a little shindig after the run.  So, we were already planning for a special night.

Then, Sally #1 (I'm Sally #2) started getting calls from local college CC coaches that they were bringing their teams to Zoo Run.  And lo and behold, we had many colleges' women's and men's cross country teams out there tonight. 

I got there early to run my 5 miles in the blazing hot sun and humidity BEFORE the rain cooled us off, and my panting, weary body was passed by many a 20ish y/o easily clipping by at a much faster (warm up) pace.  Winning time for the 2 mile race (on a wind-y, narrow, and rained-on course) was about 9:46. 

It was even kind of official - here's the announcement in today's paper:

Yep, that first note says that the Trinity University CC opener was in Brackenridge Park - at Zoo Run.  Apparently, in order to have 'early' workouts under NCAA rules, they must first have a meet.  And this was a meet.  The course is measured, marked, and marshaled.  Time is kept and recorded (this time, by the coaches).  And there were winners.  And it was really neat to see that much talent running out there.

And then, we chowed on hot dogs.  Ironically, some folks (most likely accidentally) ate all of the Smartdog veggie dogs!  The funniest things always happen at Zoo Run.