Results & Photos :: What They Said
The Victory Junction Run was absolutely a wonderful event! Everything was well planned and superbly supported. The half marathon course was challenging, but beautiful. The organization was excellent and the staff and volunteers at the start, along the course, and at the finish were helpful and enthusiastic. I appreciate the way the community supported the event. The medal is great and the chili was delicious. The Bingham and Petty teams really know how to plan an event.
It was inspirational to start with a worship service, to see the heartfelt support of Richard, Kyle, and Pattie Petty, and Michael Waltrip, and to be a part of a race that benefits such a great place.
Thank you all for hosting such a great run and for being committed to supporting the Victory Junction Camp.
—Gary Fulton
John,
What a great happening you orchestrated! I'm so glad that you and VJGC became connected. It was a quality event all the way. The course was challenging, the aid stations were numerous, the awards and shirts are top-notch, and even the weather you managed to arrange couldn't have been much more ideal. I've heard so many positive reviews of the race. I truly believe that future VJR's will be substantially bigger and better, building off a very strong first year.
Thank you for a tremendous event, and your support of Victory Junction. Bearing in mind that I hope to run the half each year, please let me know if I can be of assistance in planning for future VJR's.
—Peter A. Sim
Good Morning,
Well I am finally over my soreness and have one slow recovery run under my belt. I am still in awe over the event put on by John Bingham Racing. I have to admit I was not prepared for this event and was by no means training for a half-marathon. I fly the Victory Junction Gang Camp logo on my racing kart and felt compelled to run. Please offer my thanks to everyone involved in the event. With my family and friends thinking I was crazy, I drove 7 1/2 hours from Rome, GA to run. I actually finished in 2:10:54 and managed to show up at work on Monday. The Petty family were wonderful and being able to trot along with Michael Waltrip for a few miles was great.
I can't wait for the next Victory Junction Run. Thanks for the memories!
—Marcus Holmes
Sunday was one of the greatest days of my life! Not because of finishing time, but the lessons I learned from the Petty's! I was honored when we rounded the last turn and we could see that Pattie and Kyle were greeting each finisher! When can we expect to sign up for the "Second Annual" VJR?
This was the best run event that we have ever participated in!
Thank you!
—Vickie Loose
Hi John and Jenny, just want to drop a line and let you know I had a blast at the Victory Junction Run. I have purchased photos of probably the most excited person finishing her first 1/2 marathon in Randleman. I hope everyone on your end had 1/2 as much fun as we did. Thanks for the life changing experience and meeting the greatest group of runners ever. Have a great Holiday, and see you next year.
Be Blessed
—Annette and David Caughron
I just got back to Charleston SC and your great run made the 8 hours of driving well worth it.
The course was tough, but beautiful, the volunteers fantastic, and the cheerleaders made me wish I was a young man again.
I also want to say that Richard Petty, Kyle Petty and his wife and Michael Waltrip were great, and very approachable. I got Richard Petty to sign my bib,and he thanked me for running, and he had already signed a lot of bibs, he seemed really to appreciate us, and that is so great. I can't imagine a baseball player doing what he did, he is truly a great guy.
Also, having Kyle and his wife at the finish high 5-ing all of us, well, what can I say, made me feel like a winner.
I am adding this run to my yearly schedule, and will tell all in Charleston they have to run it.
As soon as registration is open for 2007, I will be online and doing it. Just ordered my photos, so I can remember one of the best half Marathons held. I have run 139 marathons so far, and more Halfs than I can remember, so I do not give meaningless compliments, you and all involved can be very proud of this run, and I am glad you are going to make it an annual event.
Once again, THANKS to all, see you next year.
—Sid Busch
The race was tough, but it was a great experience. It was my second half marathon, and I'm a fairly new long distance runner, and I got a PR! I'll be 52 on Tuesday. I ran to support the cause. Having Kyle and Pattie at the finish line was great. I ditto the comment about the accessibility of the drivers for autographs and pictures. The Petty family is extremely congenial. The cheerleaders were a big lift on those hills. Michael Waltrip was a great sport signing autographs right after he finished!
I love the pictures I got and I'm showing them to everyone at work. My recovery went well thanks to all the food and beverages you provided.
It is a day I will not soon forget!
Thanks Victory Junction Gang!
—Lisa Halloran
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the half marathon. The race was well organized and I loved the rolling course. Thank you for the hard and work and the opportunity to run a race for a wonderful cause!
—Lisa H. Howell
Hi Susan [Williams],
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all your hard work to make the VJR a Great Success.
You and the entire Petty organization made me feel like part of the family. The Pettys are amazing folks. Their passion for the Camp and the kids is incredible... such an honest and sincere passion!!
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to meet everyone there. Thanks for a great race. The entire experience was perfect.
—Paul Nemeth
"I finished and my socks were still white"
I couldn't figure out Sunday if I was more nervous or excited to be there at the VJC first 1/2 marathon. My only 2 goals were to finish (not picked up by vehicle) and to not have yellow socks at the end of the run. Those who have had babies and run know what I'm talking about.
It was the best day. Weather was perfect, I made new friends......... otherwise known as "foxhole" friends, the atmosphere was organized yet we felt like family. I think the worship service really set the mood of what we were exactly there for. Through running I feel I can give thanks and worship the God who enables me and gives me strength to struggle and I do MEAN struggle those 13 miles. I can't tell you how many times I chanted, up those never ending hills "I will run and not grow weary" it sounded good in theory even if my body didn't fully cooperate.
One thing I will never forget about that special day Dec. 3, was at the end of the race. Heading down that incline and seeing the Petty's standing there welcoming us in across the finish line. I knew their feet and legs had to be tired. It made me feel special. It made me feel more important than a bib or check number. I was honored to be part of that day.
My sister will be traveling from Orlando to run with me next year. 5 more people, new to running have made a goal to start training for the Victory Lap. How exciting to have a small part in introducing your amazing camp to a whole new group of people. I was one of those who had never heard of the VJC, now I feel as though I have a vested interest in the wonderful work your doing. You will continue to grow and prosper. Jesus taught us not to suffer the children, because theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. You are simply obeying your Father, and you will be blessed.
Thank you,
—Kimberley Beasley
Just finished the half marathon at Victory Junction Gang Camp and it was fantastic. Please make this an annual event. My wife and I fell in love with the camp and what it is doing for all the wonderful children. My wife is a pediatric nurse and I'm a pediatric and neonatal respiratory therapist. We want to volunteer and be a part of this awesome camp. Already printed out applications. Thanks for one of the best half marathons I have ever done.
—Scott LaFell
Susan, Mindy, Jennifer, Abby & Billy,
Good to see you all today. I wanted to send a brief "thanks" for all of your work on the half-marathon today. Coming from someone who plans events, I know how much work you all put into it and I think it was a great race. The course was tough (especially the beginning) but please don't feel you'll need to change it to get more participation in the future. It really was a nice run. The first of any event is always the hardest to plan and the more word gets out, it will continue to grow. Maybe we can rope some more drivers into it... after all, it's just a half-marathon.
Susan, you're awesome... no need to say more.
Mindy, I knew that you sang, but didn't know you were that good. Wish I had that talent, but since I don't, I'll stick to singing in the shower. Thanks also for cheering me on at the end. Abby & Jennifer, glad to see you both out on the course as I know your cheering on of all of the runners gives us all a boost of energy. Billy, glad you didn't have to pick me up.
I really did try to thank as many of the volunteers as much as possible along the course for giving their time and when I did, they would always come back and say "thanks for running." No doubt that all of these volunteers will be back in the future as the cause of supporting the Camp is why they were out there.
I hope there will be a second annual and if it is planned on Banquet weekend again, you know I'll be on that 5:20 a.m. out of Newark to make it in time.
Thanks again,
—Julie Busha
I would like you thank you for the Victory Junction run. It was one of the most challenging course that I have run in a long time. It was by far the best organized race that I have had the pleasure to enter. Please give my appreciation to John Bingham, The entire Petty family, all the volunteers and every one at the Victory Junction camp. I look forward to seeing you all next year.
Thanks,
—Lee Eagle