By Matt Fulkerson/sports editor
Nine-year-old Aiden Revilla took home the top honors in South Campus’ annual Gobble Wobble 5K Nov. 16.
A variety of age groups and skill levels participated in the annual tradition.
“We had right around 230 runners sign up as of Friday,” said physical education instructor Tim Johnson. “We also had a few walk-ins, which brought our total to around 250 attendees.”
South Campus president Peter Jordan welcomed the participants and thanked them for supporting the school and community before he fired the starting pistol to begin the race.
“This race is a great way to promote physical fitness while giving back to the community,” said Jordan, an avid runner.
The runners and walkers were escorted by a group of Fort Worth Police cyclists who helped keep them on the course as well as monitor traffic as the participants made their way along the city streets surrounding the campus.
“We changed the course a little this year,” Johnson said. “In the years past, we went along the Interstate 20 access road but felt that was a little high risk and difficult to block off.”
A slight hiccup occurred along the way as a group of runners in the lead mistakenly missed a turn during the last mile of the race.
“The officer leading the top five runners missed a turn, and when we caught up in a parking lot, the main group was ahead of us,” said South student Christopher Tovar. “We were able to make up the difference, so it wasn’t that big of a deal.”
As the runners made their way across the finish line, it was 9-year-old Revilla who led the charge, followed closely by his father, Juan Revilla.
“I’ve been running for about two years, but this is the first time I’ve ever won,” said the younger Revilla who has only competed in four races before winning in the top male category.
Jeanette Vazquez took home the prize for top overall female, coming in just behind the Revillas.
The top winners in each of the categories, including top overall for males and females, received a frozen turkey for first place, a Cornish hen for second and a bronze medal for third.
It was a nice turnout this year with runners and walkers of all age groups making an appearance, Johnson said.
Besides their registration fees, runners also donated canned goods. All proceeds from the Gobble Wobble benefit the Tarrant Area Food Bank and the TCC Foundation’s scholarship program.
Gobble Wobble winners:
Divisions by age and gender
Men 12 and under
1. Nolan Mendoza
2. Trevor Evinger
3. Max Lee
Women 12 and under
1. Mary McGann
2. Catie McGann
3. Kocob Habte
Men aged 13-19
1. Daniel Hafkeshoring
2. Maurice Okelo
3. Kahel Donoso
Women aged 13-19
1. Alicia Breckman
2. Megan McNeal
3., Evelyn Aguilia
Men aged 20-29
1. Oscar Lazarky
2. Justin Elliott
3. Christopher Tovar
Women aged 20-29
1. Mariah Miller
2. Sarah Breckman
3. Lindsay Early
Men aged 30-39
1. Juan Revilla
2. Mark Vellejo
3. Charles Mayo
Women aged 30-39
1. Christina Gomez
2. Jennifer Retterer
3. Danielle Cawvey
Men aged 40-49
1. Reyes Espinoza
2. Richardo Prado
3. Mike Young
Women aged 40-49
1. Mary Noer
2. Leticia Vasquez
3. Sandy Brinson
Men aged 50-59
1. Terry Stratton
2. Juan Romero
3. Jeff Hooper
Women aged 50-59
1. Julie Kendro
2. Allyn Toth
3. Paulette Clark
Men aged 60-69
1. Robert Forest
2. Don Lee
3. Larry Ross
Women aged 60-69
1. Ellen Wagoner
2. Becky Burgess
3. Virginia Hallak
Men aged 70 and over
1. Dan Wood
2. John Nolan
Women aged 70 and over
1. Carol Feyen
2. Clementine DeAngelis