A little rain couldn’t dampen the fifth annual Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation Trick or Trot 5K & Fun Run on Oct. 31 in Lufkin, Texas, as a record crowd of more than 260 registered runners, the event’s largest yet, turned out for a morning of running, costumes and community fun.
The soggy start cleared just in time for the Fun Run, and hundreds of participants and spectators enjoyed the 5K, 1-Mile Fun Run, Mascot Mad Dash, costume contests, local vendors, games and giveaways.
“Seeing so many families, runners, businesses and community partners come together, even with a little rain in the forecast, is a wonderful reminder of what makes our communities special,” said Melissa Crager, public relations and corporate responsibility manager for Brookshire Brothers. “Every registration represents more than just a race entry. It helps support the work of the Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation, which provides resources to hundreds of people and organizations across Texas.”
Wade Prater took the overall male 5K title and Adrianna Luna was the overall female winner. The Mascot Mad Dash came down to a photo finish, with Whataguy from Whataburger edging McGruff the Crime Dog from Deep East Texas Crime Stoppers by a fraction of a step.
Sponsors included platinum sponsors Nature’s Own and Brookshire Brothers, Fun Run sponsor Hiland Dairy and gold sponsors Security & Guaranty, Borden, Visit Lufkin and the city of Lufkin Parks and Rec’s Mobile Art Park, along with more than 20 silver and bronze sponsors from Community Coffee and Lufkin Coca-Cola to Nestlé Purina.
Proceeds benefit the Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation, a Lufkin-based nonprofit supporting education, food insecurity relief, community and social services and cultural arts throughout Texas and western Louisiana.
Brookshire Brothers is a 100 percent employee-owned grocer based in Lufkin that was founded in 1921. Its nearly 120 locations are located from the Texas Hill Country and east to Lake Charles, Louisiana. Though its focus remains on traditional grocery and pharmacy, Brookshire Brothers has complimentary formats that include fuel and tobacco operations, coffee shops and event venues, according to its website.
Related: Brookshire Brothers To Open New Lufkin, TX, Store Nov. 11