Monthly News & Updates

May 2024 | Vol. 25

Who's Ready for Summer?

Pictured: Teri Wagoner

Pictured L to R: Brian Anthony Hernandez and Zack Neumann

Glow Over Waco 5K & Fun Run

The Glow Over Waco 5k & Fun Run was a tremendous success, with 576 runners lighting up the night! The event was made even more exciting with the presence of multiple community partners like Raising Canes and Milk Bottle Cookies, adding to the festive atmosphere.

In the competitive 5K field, Zack Neumann clocked in as our winner at an impressive 18:49. Just behind him was Brian Anthony Hernandez who came in three seconds behind at 18:52. On the women's side, Teri Wagoner finished first at 19:06 and nearly four minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. Along with these individuals we had runners from 13 different states that came to Waco to compete in the festivities and then enjoy the music downtown!

View Results Here!

Waco Trivia: What was the name of the athletic conference Baylor was in before the Big 12?

(See below for the answer!)

EVENT HIGHLIGHT

Rowing Regatta

The Waco Rowing Center recently hosted the second annual Texas Rowing Championships at the Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir in April. This event showcased the unique 8-lane course the WRC built, drawing high school teams from across Texas to compete. Despite less-than-favorable weather conditions, the teams persevered and competed. During the weather delays, teams took the opportunity to visit local restaurants and entertainment venues, truly experiencing all that Waco has to offer. Congrats to all the teams that competed, and a special thank you to the Waco Rowing Center for hosting such a successful event and making the stay of the visiting teams a memorable one.

002 Pickleball

The 002 Lone Star Shootout, a pickleball tournament, was held at the Waco Regional Tennis Center (WRTC). This event drew an impressive turnout with over 250 participants competing across more than 30 brackets. Athletes from various skill levels and age groups came together to display their passion for pickleball, contributing to a fun yet competitive atmosphere. The broad range of participants highlights the growing popularity of this fun sport and its ability to engage a wide audience.

Reach out to WRTC to learn more about lessons and upcoming competitions.

A Word from Dr. Adesina

Ankle impingement

Anterior ankle impingement is a common complaint in active children. It is due to pinching of bone, soft tissue or scar tissue at the front of the ankle. This can happen after a new or old injury. The swollen tissue or scar tissue gets caught between the bones of the lower part of the leg (tibia) and the upper part of the foot (talus). A bony spur at the front of the lower part of these bones may also pinch normal tissue causing swelling.

Symptoms include pain with running, walking or jumping. It can also be painful to bring the top of the foot up (dorsiflexion). Treatment options include: anti-inflammatory medications (Motrin, Advil, Tylenol), orthopedics aids (ankle brace), and physical therapy. Surgery is rarely indicated and won’t be considered until all non-surgical options have been explored.

For appointments, click or please call 254-752-9638

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Donut Dash

May 4th, 2024

Ready to kick off May in style? Take part in the highly anticipated Donut Dash 4K and Fun Run at the scenic Camp Fimfo on May 4th, 2024! Every participant will receive an event shirt (while supplies last), Nightlight Donuts and snag a discounted day pass to explore Camp Fimfo's awesome amenities, including their water park, pool, and sporting options.

More Info

TAPPS Championship Golf Tournament 6A

May 6th-7th, 2024

The TAPPS Championship Golf Tournament is set to unfold on May 6th-7th at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco, TX. This event will gather top high school golf talents from across the state, all competing for the championship title. Cottonwood Creek, known for its challenging layout and firm greens, provides the perfect backdrop for what promises to be an exciting display of skill and sportsmanship.

More Info

Mike's Message

Executive Director,

Greater Waco Sports Commission

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Dear GWSC Family,

Wow, can you believe it’s already May? Time flies when you’re having fun—and making an impact! Here in Waco, we’ve been bustling with activity this spring. From the exhilarating Glow Over Waco Run to the captivating Eclipse Over Texas at McLane, partnering with the City of Woodway for Arbofest, not to mention launching TEAM Waco and kicking off our new podcast series (stay tuned for the first episode this month!), it’s been a whirlwind of excitement.

We’ve also been hard at work planning Saturday’s upcoming Donut Dash. Amidst all this, I was privileged to represent our community at a national sports tourism convention in Portland. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet with various organizations and share why the Greater Waco area is the ideal place for their events. Some other exciting news from the convention was that Sports ETA released their “2023 State of the Industry Report”, revealing some notable findings:

Sports-related travel expenditures jumped 11% from last year, reaching a staggering $52.5 billion in 2023.
The number of sports travelers hit a record high of 204.9 million.
The surge in sports tourism contributed to an overall growth in tourism, generating 73.5 million room nights.
Impressively, Texas ranked as the second most impacted state by sports tourism, right behind Florida.

At GWSC, our commitment remains steadfast: establishing Waco as a top destination for these sporting events. We aim to provide our local athletes the chance to shine right here in their hometown, reducing the need to travel far for competitions. We're excited about the future and eager to explore more opportunities to bring events to Waco. If you're interested in partnering with us or want to know more about our initiatives, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can continue to make a significant impact in the sports tourism industry and in our community.