By AYLEEN CANIZALES
Special to the PRESS
The City of Port Isabel and South Padre Island united to host the 40th Annual Causeway Run & Fitness Walk, a testament to the power of community and shared goals, on Saturday, April 13, 2023, featuring a challenging 6.2-mile (10K) course.
The race started at the Port Isabel Community Center, traversing the Queen Isabella Causeway, and culminating in front of Louie’s Backyard on South Padre Island. A 3.1-mile (5K) course, ending in front of the Padre Balli Statue at the foot of the causeway, offered a more accessible option for participants.
The event was a celebration of both personal achievement and the collective spirit of the participants.
Mary Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce, stated, “We had over 2,700 participants and are still counting” when asked about the turnout for the event. “The Last causeway run in April 2023 had 2,000 participants, so it’s a huge difference,” she continued.
Gonzales said participants came from the Rio Grande Valley and all over Texas, Puerto Rico, Matamoros, and various places across Mexico. “Besides runs being larger than last year, we want to make it even better the following year,” encouraging more people to attend the subsequent annual causeway runs.
Gonzales also encourages those who participated in the run and those who didn’t to join them for their Summer Run on Saturday, September 14, 2024. She states that those interested in registering can go to the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce Facebook page to find the registration updates and links. Registration for the Summer Run will open on Friday, May 3, 2024. Link to their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portisabelchamber/
She was immediately following the race, handing out metals and snacks thanks to the sponsors of the event and the volunteers who were there to help.
Gonzalez would like to thank the sponsors of the event, including their platinum sponsor Brownsville Community Health Center, along with other sponsors: HEB, Port Isabel EDC, City of Port Isabel, Louie’s Backyard, RG LNG, Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, Digital 101.5, KRGV, Michelob Ultra,
Cameron County Insurance Center, PIISD, Dirty Al’s at Pelican Station, Pirate’s Landing, Josephine’s Kitchen, Lone Star National Bank, The Lighthouse Boutique Hotel, Costa Current, and Sutherlands.
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