Goodfellow Volunteers Support Local Fitness Events.

Volunteers from the Goodfellow military community are often on the front lines helping to make

local fitness events successful.

During the recent Run to Remember 10K on the Angelo State University campus, a team of volunteers from Goodfellow Air Force Base worked hard to help make the event a success.

Sgt. 1st Class Alanna Rathkopf, an AIT platoon sergeant assigned to the 344th MI BN at Goodfellow, led the volunteer team at the event.

Although the list of individuals is too long to include here, the volunteers Rathkopf coordinated included personnel from multiple branches of the armed forces.

Instead of “sleeping in” on a day off, they spent their Saturday morning manning aid stations, serving as course marshals, assisting with scoring, taking event pictures and helping with all aspects of setup and tear down of event equipment.

Their actions were typical for what you’ll see at events throughout the year as Goodfellow volunteers show up to help with cycling, running and multisport events and other activities in this area.

Even though they serve our country full time on the front line of conflicts around the world, they also serve our local community by volunteering at all types of events while off duty.

Military personnel are the type of volunteers that every race director dreams of — highly skilled and disciplined individuals who react immediately to situational needs and make sure the “event mission” is accomplished.

“The military community believes in volunteering as often as possible,” Rathkopf said. “I think it is in our nature. Today’s military is in fact made up entirely of volunteers, and I believe that the type of person who volunteers to join an organization actively engaged in combat operations is someone who must enjoy giving back to their local community to an equal extent."

“There is a lot to be said for a city like San Angelo,” she said. “If you go anywhere in uniform, someone stops to thank you for your service. It is a great feeling to know that the military is appreciated for the work we do. The soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines stationed here are some of the hardest-working individuals I have ever had the privilege of working with.”

This commitment by Goodfellow personnel toward volunteering at community events is no accident — it’s a philosophy that originates at the command levels on the base.

Sgt. 1st Class Robyn Moore, the S-1 NCOIC and volunteer coordinator for the 344th Military Intelligence Battalion, said the 344th Battalion does have a formal volunteer program.

“The battalion command team as well as all four of our company command teams definitely support and encourage volunteering in the community,” Moore said. “The installation also has an awards program that all units are able to compete in and two of the categories do involve volunteering at the unit or individual level."

“Volunteer hours set the soldiers apart from their peers but it is not a promotion board requirement. The requirement with the 344th is that the soldiers must complete 100 hours to earn the Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal (MOVSM).”

There’s also another side to this story.

Many of these same military personnel take part in local fitness events. If you look at the results from a typical race you’ll see cyclists, runners and triathletes from Goodfellow at or near the top of finishing order.

One of the things the San Angelo community could do to better to say “thank you” to the military community is to plan and conduct an annual fitness event that’s open only to military personnel.
I’m thinking some type of Warrior Dash that’s open only to warriors.

The roles would be reversed — we (the civilian community) would organize the event, provide all volunteers, cheer the participants, salute the winners and maybe feed everyone after the race.
It would be a token of our appreciation for both their service to our country and their service to our fitness community.

Remember — military volunteers from Goodfellow support our local fitness events.


Upcoming Events
 
Oct 9: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 12: ASU Homecoming Ram Run, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 14: ASU & SAISD Health Fair, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 16: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 23: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 26: Heart Walk, http://heartwalk.kintera.org
Oct. 26: MDA Ride for ALS, www2.mda.org/site/TR?fr_id=7703&pg=entry
Oct. 30: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Nov. 16: West Texas Masochist Run, roadlizards.org
Nov. 23: Turkey Trot 5K, angelo.edu/asufit

Bike and Run Routes in San Angelo

One of the common questions I get asked by people new to our community is “Where are some good routes for cycling, running or triathlon training?”

Those questions typically come from service members newly assigned to Goodfellow, students attending ASU, visitors to our community, or people who are just new to cycling and running.

To help answer the “where are good routes” question, I’ve compiled a detailed listing of routes and posted them online at http://bcullins.blogspot.com/2013/09/san-angelo-cycling-and-running-routes.html.

It’s a fairly long list, so here’s my pared-down, quick guide to the most common bike and run routes in San Angelo. Save the list — pass it on to new people and visitors — and become a “where to work out” ambassador for our community.

Let’s start with road cycling. Most San Angelo area road rides will start and finish at one of three locations — the swim beach at Lake Nasworthy (Mary E. Lee Park), Liquor City on Arden Road, or at the TxDOT complex on Knickerbocker Blvd.

Although the rides from each of these starting points can be easily modified to suit individual needs, the following are typical examples with links to show complete routes:

 - Knickerbocker out-and-back (26 miles, mapmyride.com/routes/view/219937395): This is arguably the most commonly ridden route for San Angelo cyclists. It starts and finishes at the swim beach on Lake Nasworthy, so it’s also popular with multisport athletes who want to combine bike, run and swim workouts.

 - Seven Sisters loop (39 miles, mapmyride.com/routes/view/220071789): Similar to the Knickerbocker ride described above, but extended to include FM 2335 over the “Seven Sisters” hills and U.S. 277 from Christoval back to San Angelo. This route was part of a long-course duathlon course in past years.

 - Jamison Road loop (16 miles, nice after-work route, mapmyride.com/routes/view/219960265): The Jamison loop is a flat route that’s good for an easy day or hard intervals on a low-traffic road.

 - Arden Road out-and-back to County Road 411 (34 miles, mapmyride.com/routes/view/219941479): This route follows one of the most popular cycling roads in the San Angelo area, with multiple route variations possible. The example shown at the link above goes out-and-back from a starting point at the old Liquor City on the west edge of town.

 - Burma Road (46 miles with nice hills, mapmyride.com/routes/view/219969249): A hill workout favorite for San Angelo cyclists, the Burma route follows Arden Road to South Burma Road, goes over several miles of short, steep hills, and then comes back the same way. Cyclists looking for a harder workout will repeat the Burma hills section multiple times before heading back to town.

 - Loop group routes (19 miles mapmyride.com/routes/view/220077825 and 31 miles mapmyride.com/routes/view/219949563): Both of these routes are used for the Tuesday/Thursday “Loop Group” ride that meets at the TxDOT facility during the summer.

Moving on to mountain biking, you’ll find that most local off-road cyclists ride in San Angelo State Park or sometimes in the Middle Concho Park/Spillway Hill area. In the state park, you’ll see many riders starting from the park’s south end at either the Playground or the Burkett trailhead.

Rides that originate in Middle Concho Park usually start near the middle gate and continue out onto the dirt road to the Spillway Hill trails. All of these mountain bike routes are also popular with trail runners.

 - State Park time trial loop (6 miles, mapmyride.com/routes/view/257762575): This loop starts at the playground area near the state park’s south entrance and is used for the monthly mountain bike time trial races. It can easily be extended by continuing north past the Burkett trailhead.

 - State Park end-to-end and back (approximately 35 miles, mapmyride.com/us/san-angelo-tx/san-angelo-state-park-south-to-north-loo-route-83619741): There are a number of variations on this mountain bike ride. A pure south-to-north and back is about 27 miles, but several additional miles can be added by doing small “side loops” in addition to the main trails.

 - Race loop (Spillway Hill area, 8 miles, mapmyride.com/us/san-angelo-tx/spillway-hill-ride-route-18828500): This ride starts and finishes in Middle Concho Park and follows trails and some 4WD roads in the Twin Buttes open space area. The route can easily be extended another 6-8 miles by starting at the front of the park or by following more of the motorcycle trails in that area.

Runners in San Angelo have a wide variety of both paved and off-road routes, but the most popular runs center around Gun Club Road (KOA loop), the Downtown River Trail, Spring Creek Park, Middle Concho Park, and the swim beach. Trail runners commonly use all or parts of the mountain bike rides described above. Here are several examples of good running routes:

 - Gun Club Road (2 miles per lap, nice hills, mapmyride.com/routes/view/257737833): Located just north of the Lake Nasworthy bridge on Knickerbocker Blvd, the KOA loop is a San Angelo favorite for runners and walkers. Be careful and stay to the edge of the road to avoid vehicles and bring your own water — there are no facilities at this location.

 - Downtown River Trail (3.5 miles, can be extended, mapmyride.com/routes/view/256776635): The river trail provides a scenic and partially-shaded route to run. A common starting point is at the Kids Kingdom playground where there are restrooms and water fountains.

 - Middle Concho Park dirt road (about 8 miles, mapmyride.com/routes/view/257740231): If you like soft dirt surfaces, very few people, and occasional wildlife sightings, this is the best place to run in San Angelo. Start near the front gate of Middle Concho Park, follow the shoreline to the back gate, and then continue out onto the dirt road behind the park.

Spring Creek Park from Swim Beach (5 miles, mapmyride.com/routes/view/257742967): This route is commonly used by triathletes during combined bike/run workouts. The route begins at the swim beach, follows Fisherman’s Road to the park, and then continues through the park to the back gate.

 - State Park (road run with hills, 7.3 miles, mapmyride.com/routes/view/257745697): If you like running on hills, this route will make you happy. Start at the playground area just inside the park’s south entry gate and then follow low-traffic park roads to the top of Wink Hill (now called the Scenic Overlook).

One final note — for “brick” workouts that combine biking or running with open-water swimming, the two best locations in San Angelo are the swim beach at Lake Nasworthy or the front (main) boat ramp in Middle Concho Park. Both of these locations have been used for local triathlons.


Upcoming Events

Oct. 2: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 9: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 12: ASU Homecoming Ram Run, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 14: ASU & SAISD Health Fair, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 16: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 23: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Oct. 26: Heart Walk, http://heartwalk.kintera.org
Oct. 26: MDA Ride for ALS, www2.mda.org/site/TR?fr_id=7703&pg=entry
Oct. 30: ASUFit cyclocross series, angelo.edu/asufit
Nov. 16: West Texas Masochist Run, roadlizards.org
Nov. 23: Turkey Trot 5k, angelo.edu/asufit