NatNews

Last week, the local Thursday Night Social Run (TNSR) group hosted its quarterly event at Fleet Feet in Plano, giving runners throughout the metroplex the opportunity to come together for a memorable evening.

Event organizer and IT specialist Josh Odegard said that, while more than 60 individuals and more than 20 sponsors attended, the storms last Thursday had a strong impact on the overall turnout at the event.

“Since we start planning each event months in advance, the only thing that we can’t predict or control is usually the weather,” he said. “This was the first time we’ve had the weather severely affect one of our quarterly events. I’m assuming a lot of people who planned on coming changed their minds when they were unsure if it was going to rain or if the event would be canceled.”

White Rock Running Co-op member Rachel Balthrop Mendoza attended the TNSR quarterly event for the first time and said that she was able to talk to others about a cause that is important to her.

“I went because I was originally going to set up a booth to talk about the organization (Girls on the Run) I sit on the board for,” she said. “I ended up not needing a booth and just gave my spiel to the crowd after the run. We’re doing a pickleball tournament to fundraise for our programming year, but I was also there for running, pizza, and prizes—because I’m human.”

The prizes proved to be an extra benefit for Mendoza’s decision to attend last week’s social run.

“I’m a sucker for prize giveaways,” she said. “I rarely win anything, so when I do, it’s a big deal. And I won a race entry, so woohoo! It helps when you put all of your tickets in one bucket.”

And the type of joy she experienced is something that becomes contagious to Odegard at the TNSR events.

“My favorite part of the events is always the raffles,” he said. “I feel like I’m running around during the entire event, and I never get a chance to slow down or take a break, but the raffles give me a chance to be still for 20 minutes or so. I also get a lot of enjoyment seeing how happy the winners get when they hear their ticket numbers being called.”

The next TNSR quarterly event is Thursday, November 10. More specific details will be posted closer to that date, but Odegard encourages people to mark it in their calendars and plan on attending.

“Anyone who is interested in running or fitness should come to the events,” Odegard said. They are completely free—including food, drinks, and prizes. But the sponsors who come to talk to the runners are a big benefit, too. It gives runners a chance to find out about products as well as training and recovery options that they didn’t know were available. It also gives them a chance to meet new runners or other running groups that can lead to new friendships.”

With September already underway and pumpkin spice suddenly back in season, many individuals in the Dallas metroplex are excited for another aspect of this time of year: football is back.

The NFL’s regular season begins this Thursday with the Buffalo Bills taking on the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, but college football season kicked off last week with three top-25 matchups, including Ohio State’s 21-10 win over Notre Dame.

“I love college football,” White Rock Running Co-op member and James Madison University alum Dan Sullivan said. “I enjoy the pageantry, the weekly anticipation of a big game, the passion people have for their teams. I like the social element, as well.”

A variety of places throughout Dallas offer attractive venues for football fans to get their social and sports fill simultaneously. In fact, there aren’t many bars in the city with open parking spaces or places to sit on Saturdays this time of year. Instead, they’re typically packed with enthusiastic alumni and bandwagon fans who love their teams for no apparent reason but still wear the hats and shirts to prove their dedication.

“It’s fun gathering on Saturdays to watch multiple games with friends,” Sullivan said. “With college, it’s like fans have more of a personal connection to their teams.”

The Colony resident and Buffalo Bills fan Katy Flynn, who doesn’t pay attention to college football, may not always cheer for the winning team but said she enjoys watching NFL games.

“When I lived in upstate New York, I went to my first football game—Bills vs. Patriots,” she said. “It was 26 degrees, sideways snowing, and the stadium was still packed to cheer on a terrible team. I love an underdog.”

Most Dallas Cowboys fans, however, don’t ever believe their team is the underdog. The Cowboys’ first regular season game is Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7:20 p.m. at AT&T Stadium.

Additionally, Peyton and Eli Manning, who provided plenty of entertainment while commentating together on Monday Night Football games last season, will return to call 10 games this season in their ManningCast on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

Despite storms in the late afternoon, runners were able to enjoy TNSR's quarterly event

Monday, September 5: Monday Movie Night in Griggs Park — "The Breakup"
Tuesday, September 6: Korn + Evanescence at Dos Equis Pavilion
Thursday, September 8: 24th annnual Katy 5K at Reverchon Parkr
Saturday, September 10: WRRC Saturday run at Taco Joint