Winners announced for the annual YMCA Run Thru the Woods Run/Walk

THE WOODLANDS, TX – YMCA Run Thru The Woods Presented by Huntsman has been one of the premier running and walking family events in Texas for 33 years. The annual charity event is held annually on Thanksgiving morning at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. This year, more than 4,100 came together in 2022 – 150 more than last year – to give back, give thanks and run/walk for cause.

Participants of all ages came to take part in the lauded Woodlands event. The youngest runner (not counting infants in strollers) was three years old, the oldest male participant was 82 – running the 5-mile course as he has for 20 years, and the oldest female runner was an astounding and impressive 89 years old.

Awards included special prize packages to the overall top four finishers, male and female, in both the five-mile run, three-mile run and Masters Division. Awards were presented to the first-, second- and third-place finishers, male and female, in each age group including five-mile and three-mile races. In the one-mile children’s race, first- through fourth-place awards were distributed to the top four overall finishers and in each age group, male and female. A special finisher medal was handed out at the finish line to all participants. Overall winners results and Masters’ Winners were determined by “Gun Time.” Age group winners were determined by “Chip Time.”

“Over the years, this popular holiday event has never lost touch with its mission: to provide a fun community event for all ages and all levels, promoting youth development, healthy living, community service, and social responsibility, as well as raising awareness and funds for the deserving youth organizations the event supports,” said Roxanne Davis, race director and community liaison of The Woodlands Family YMCAs.

“There’s the excitement of thousands of people pulling together with purpose, and it’s a great way to spend time with family and friends, to encourage each other, and give thanks and support local nonprofits, including the YMCA. Now, more than ever, we need opportunities to reconnect and find purpose in our lives. I have had the privilege to be involved and watch the event grow since 1994. My heart melts, each and every year, when I step up on the start line stage and look out and see the thousands of people lined up ready to run/walk for a cause. What a heartwarming sight it is that I will never forget. We live in a very generous community that is committed to helping everyone reach their fullest potential and grow stronger in spirit, mind and body.”

The winners were:

1-mile kids’ race – female winner: Adelyn Miller, age 12; male winner: Carter Russell, age 10.
3-mile run – female overall winner: Kristi Varela; male overall winner: Harris Ledbetter; female masters winner: Aubrey Weller; male masters winner: Donald Paull.
5-mile run – female overall winner: Samantha McClellan; male overall winner: Vishnu Swaminathan; female masters winner: Jennifer Cross; male masters winner: Lars Finanger.

Additionally, more than 200 volunteers came out early on Thanksgiving Morning to serve. The annual event has raised more than $3 million since it began. Benefactors include The Woodlands Family YMCA; CWM Pavilion Education Outreach Program; Jr. Air Force ROTC Programs at Oak Ridge High School and The Woodlands High School; The Kiwanis’ Key Clubs; and Oaks High School Tennis Booster Club. Thank you to our major sponsors who support running for a cause: Huntsman, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, Houston Methodist Hospital The Woodlands, Alight Solutions, CWM Pavilion, MD Anderson, Fleet Feet, Market Street, Academy, Pepsi, Howard Hughes, and Spectrum Events. Community partners include Chick-fil-A The Woodlands, H-E-B, Crown Trophy, Kroger, Main Event, Alpha & Omega, What-a-Burger, LifeFitness, Peloton Commercial, and Woodlands Online.