Hospice fundraiser now includes 5K run
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

L-N File Photo Vroom! Vroom! The popular motorcycle Fun Run, shown here winding down during last year's Heating it Up for Hospice fundraiser, will be back again during this year's event.

Runners will blaze through El Campo neighborhoods during a new event added to the annual Heating It Up for Hospice barbecue cook-off and live music extravaganza.

This is the fourth year of the Heating It Up fundraiser, which benefits the foundation Hospice Support Inc.

That nonprofit organization is located here but serves people in a 50-mile radius of El Campo, including those in Wharton, Matagorda, Colorado, Fort Bend, Jackson, Austin and Brazoria counties.

Claudia Raun, executive director of Hospice Support Inc., said Muldoon's Saloon, its owner Tim Ryan and Don Davis dealership's Rick Davis have united to host the fundraiser for Houston Hospice - El Campo on March 14 and 15 at Muldoon's, 110 Railroad.

"Some people think that because we have the name 'Houston Hospice,' the money goes to Houston, but all the money stays here, for people in our community," Raun said, noting last year's event raised a record $85,000.

Forty slots are available for barbecue teams this year, up from 30 last year, but as of Tuesday, only 15 spaces remained available. Besides categories for brisket, chicken, pork ribs, chili, beans, sausage or open seafood dishes, teams can compete for the People's Choice and Showmanship awards, Raun said.

Country singer and songwriter Joe Diffie will perform at the cook-off this year. Diffie - a balladeer dubbed as "the man with the golden voice" - is known for hits including Home, If You Want Me To, If The Devil Danced in Empty Pockets and New Way To Light Up An Old Flame.

New this year is the 5K Stride & Stroll, an event in which participants can run, stroll, saunter or mosey through a 3.2-mile course.

"We're really trying to encourage people to just get out and exercise and make exercise and having a good time at it part of their lifestyle, and combine that with helping hospice," event coordinator Mary Johnson said. "There will be music along the route to make it fun for participants, and the route goes through neighborhoods, so we want people to come outside their homes and cheer the runners on."

The Stride & Stroll takes place Saturday, March 15, starting with registration from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The race begins at 10 a.m., and a Kids Fun Run on a half-mile route, for those ages 12 and under, begins at 11 a.m., with awards for both events presented at noon.

"We want kids to come out and have a really good time," Johnson said.

Entry fee for the 5K is $25, or $20 for those who pre-register by March 7, but if you attend Friday night's events at Muldoon's, you may register at that time for only $10. The kids fun run is $10 for preregistration, $15 after March 7, or $5 if you attend Friday night's events, Johnson said.

To learn more about the Stride & Stroll or to preregister, contact Mary Johnson at 543-1664 or mary@marywjohnson.com.

Complementing the Stride & Stroll is the return of the Fun Run for motorcycle enthusiasts, an event begun last year. It starts at noon with registration beginning at 11 a.m.

A donation of at least $15 per rider is requested, and the last bike in will be at 4 p.m., with a 5 p.m. presentation of awards.

For more information on the Fun Run, call Charles Chappell at 979-541-7253.

For information, call Raun at 979-578-0314. Houston Hospice - El Campo has been serving the area since 1988, providing special care for those with illnesses.