History of the Run in the Sun
We call Run in the Sun the "longest running race in San Angelo", and we mean it! This race has taken place every year since 1973, with the exception of 2020, when it was canceled by the city due to the pandemic. This page will be updated as we get more history sent to us by runners and organizers from past events. If you have a picture, shirt, news article, or anything else that you feel should be included here, let us know!
1973
The first Run in the Sun was held on June 16, 1973 and was sponsored by the West Texas Running Club. Rather than an 8km course, this first race featured a choice of 2 miles or 7 miles. The race had 18 total runners and the race director himself, Bobby Peiser, got first place in the 40 and over division.
There is some question of whether this race in 1973 was officially called the "Run in the Sun". Some who were at the race say it was the same organizers and - even if it wasn't called Run in the Sun until the next year - that it was the same race. Starting in 1982, this race from 1973 is counted as the first Run in the Sun.
1974
This is the year that the 8km distance was introduced, using a course very similar to the one still used today. The race more than doubled their numbers with 40 participants.
1975
The first race t-shirt was given (have a picture of the shirt? send it to us!). This appears to be the first year that the race had a title sponsor, Gandy's Dairies and is the first year that the name "Run in the Sun" is referenced in the newspaper.
1976
This article from 1976 calls the Run in the Sun the "third annual", not counting that original race in 1973. This contradicts articles from later years that do count the 1973 event. This year had some team scoring, and the "San Antonio Road Runners" won out again the "West Texas Running Club".
1977
Brownwood and Lubbock runners won the races this year.
1978
This blurb from a June 6, 1978 column discussing different sports activities has Run in the Sun taking place on Saturday June 10, 1978.
1979
This year, there is a large flyer in the paper! This is also the first mention of the "San Angelo Road Lizards".
1980
A change in sponsors and a corresponding price increase this year.
1981
John Bednarski said he would win... and he did!
1982
This is the year when the counting changes: the article from 1981 calls it the eighth, while this article from 1982 says it is the tenth, counting that original race in 1973.
1983
This year, the race had Danny Williams as the pacer.
1984
This might be one of the first years than Shannon Medical Center sponsored the race.
1985
This year was a "Slow Run in the Sun"
1986
Sun runners have some "hot times"! This year, Katherine Switzer led a pre-race seminar.
1987
A flyer for the fifteenth annual Run in the Sun! A fitness seminar was held this year by Dr. George Sheehan, the "Mark Twain With Sneakers".
We're slowly developing this page: if you have anything to add, let us know!
