Runners wobble for chance to capture turkeys
by Paul D. Matson, sports editor

    Contestants walked and ran to raise food for the holidays in the South Campus Gobble Wobble Wednesday, Nov.14.

    The Gobble Wobble, a two-and-one-half mile run/walk, benefits the Tarrant County Food Bank.

    The entry fee consisted of a donation of five non-perishable cans of food for the food bank.

    The first 200 contestants received a t-shirt, and refreshments were served after the race.

    The benefit is divided between men and women, walkers or runners and has three different age brackets (18-35, 36-55, 56 and up) with first and second place prizes awarded in each division.

    This year, the first place prize in each division was a turkey and the second place prize was a Cornish hen.

    Jack Sims, 82, the oldest participant was also awarded a turkey.

    The intramural sports department provided the prizes.

    “Everyone supports us, from Dr. Thomas (president of South Campus and a competitor) all the way down. It makes it a lot easier to put on an event like this,” Tim Johnson, HPE instructor and sponsor for the Gobble Wobble, said.

    There were approximately 230 contestants and 25 volunteers, Johnson said.

    “The first year we had this event, about 115 people attended,” he said.

    “We did not have different age grouping and some of the older participants complained of having to compete with 18 year olds,” he said.

    “We always ask if anyone has any suggestions to help make the Gobble Wobble a little better,” he said.

    Besides a charity event, the Gobble Wobble has personal benefits as well.

    “I try to get people active and burning some calories before the holidays,” he said.

    Entries are limited to students, faculty, staff and senior students due to insurance regulations, Johnson said.

    Overall first-place winner, Richard Clay, ran the course in 14 minutes and 51 seconds.

    Clay was pleased with his run.

    “I’m very happy to win and with my time,” Clay said, trying to catch his breath.

    Clay is majoring in child development at South Campus.

    Second place finalists in the men runners 18-35 were Mark Biondi and Glynn Hampton.

    A wrong turn during the race cost some runners time before the mistake was corrected.

    First place overall for female runner was Jessica Reading with a time of 16:5.

    The second place female runner in age 18-35 was Lori Schmidke.
First place runner, male age 36-55 was Charles Overstreet at 16:34, and Jack Craig finished second.

    First place in the female age 36-55 category was Ruth Smith at 21:41, and second place was Peggy Vernon.

    Bill Engelke took first place in the age 56 and up category with a time of 17:47.

    Dane Phillips came in second in that class.

    For the men’s walking categories, Andrew Welch took first in the 18-35 group with a time of 27:53.

    Philip Ross took second in the 18-35 category.

    Dan Broyles won first place in the 36-55 age bracket with a time of 30:00. Dr. Ernest Thomas was second.

    Ted Drake finished first, and Bill Wheatley came in second in the 56 and up category.

    In categories for women’s walking, Wanda Smith came in first with a time of 29:59 while Christy Williams was second in the 18-35 age group.

    Delores Peoples finished first at 28:53 and Greta Dudley was second in the 36-55 division.

    Mary Lou Strickland finished first in the age group 56 and up, at 29:21, with Barbara Holland second.

    The co-sponsors of this year’s Gobble Wobble included the president’s office, intramural and recreational sports, division offices, student service, office of continuing education and health services.

    Other sponsors included Dannon Yogurt, Ozarka, Slim Fast and Webber Food Service.