News :: 2006 News Archives
2006 News Archives
Over 800 Runners Participated in the Inaugural Victory Junction Run, Half Marathon and 4.5K
December 3, 2006, RANDLEMAN, NC — The Victory Junction Gang Camp teamed up with John "The Penguin" Bingham, Runners World columnist and Founder of John Bingham Racing, for the inaugural Victory Junction Run, half marathon and 4.5k on Sunday December 3.
"When we set out to do this event, we hoped to get 500 participants," said Kyle Petty, NASCAR driver and Co-Founder of Victory Junction. "To have over 800 participants come out for the Victory Junction Run is hugely successful. I am ecstatic and can't wait to have an even larger event next year. More than $65,000 was raised from the run; which is a great demonstration of people's passion to help enhance the experience for the children that visit the Victory Junction Gang Camp."
Goals for this first-time event were modest—with the camp wanting to raise awareness and enough money to send ten kids to camp. "I am overwhelmed with happiness that this event exceeded expectations," said John Bingham. "We not only raised awareness, but enough money was raised to help send more than 25 children to Victory Junction."
The weekend's weather paved the way for excellent conditions in running the half marathon and 4.5k. NASCAR legend Richard "The King" Petty and his wife Lynda served as Grand Marshals of the event. NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip took part in the event with a very respectable time of 2:26:11. "Running makes me feel disciplined and committed; just like running, I am committed to the children of the Victory Junction Gang Camp," Waltrip said. "Michael Waltrip Racing and I will do anything we can to enhance the experience for these kids.
Kyle Petty drove the lead Dodge Viper as runners behind him pounded the pavement throughout Randleman for the half marathon's 13.1 miles. Also taking part in the race were wheelchair participants, cancer survivors, and many others that have a common bond with Victory Junction. The 4.5k started inside the camp and the route took runners throughout the camp's 72 acre facility.
"What has really surprised me is the number of people that have come up to me and said 'I was not a runner before I heard about the Victory Junction Run.' So many of the participants started running just to do this event because they wanted to help the camp," says Pattie Petty, Co-Founder and CEO of Victory Junction. "On behalf of the staff at Victory Junction, thanks to everyone that took part in this event."
With the great success of the weekend, the Victory Junction Gang Camp looks forward to having an even larger Victory Junction Run in 2007. For information about next year's event, visit www.RuntoVictory.org.
Placements
Top Male—Derek Fenton of Holly Springs, NC. Time—1:12:41
Top Female—Jennifer Gapin of Greensboro, NC. Time—1:33:11
Top Youth—Christian Crifasi (15 years old) of Coleridge, NC. Time—1:33:20
Full 2006 Results are here
Photos from the event can be found here
Inspired Living: Marathon Runner with Partial Paralysis
FOX8's Julie Luck reports on one Triad woman whose running is truly an example of inspired living.
Click here to see a small video segment on the run, from the local Fox station.
Lace Your Shoes Up
People are getting together to run for a good cause.
Click here to see a small video segment on the run, from the local CBS station.
Left: John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield on the 2006 Chic-fil-a Kyle Petty Charity Ride
(click photo to enlarge)
For Immediate Release
July 7, 2006
Victory Junction To Host Half Marathon
Inaugural Event Set for December
RANDLEMAN, N.C. — The Victory Junction Gang Camp has teamed up with Runner's World Columnist and John Bingham Racing founder John "The Penguin" Bingham for the inaugural Victory Junction Run Half Marathon and 4.5k Victory Lap on Sunday, December 3, 2006. The run will start in the heart of Randleman (N.C.) and finish up inside the Victory Junction Gang Camp with all proceeds going to the camp.
Kyle Petty, co-founder of the Victory Junction Gang Camp and an avid runner, is planning to compete in the event. Seven-time Nextel Cup champion Richard Petty will serve as Grand Marshal. You may sign-up and get more information about the run at www.victoryjunctionrun.com.
"We wanted to do something a little different," said Kyle Petty. "We think that this is going to be a pretty fun event. We're hoping to get a lot of different people involved. We're going to do this in a world class way, but you don't have to be a world class runner to participate. We have a tremendous amount of support already. We're hoping to make this an annual event."
Like Victory Junction, John Bingham Racing creates an atmosphere that has something for everyone.
"We are an 'experience' company," said David Babner, President of John Bingham Racing. "We produce running and walking events that celebrate the effort of all participants. John is the leader of this generation of runners and walkers. We think that by combining the personality of John Bingham and the Petty family the event can attract participants from the running, walking and NASCAR community in a unique and original fashion."
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Contact Info:
David Babner
John Bingham Racing
(off) 614-360-1041
(cel) 614-404-7375
(fax) 614-451-3156
Email: dbabner@johnbingham.com
www.victoryjunctionrun.com
www.johnbingham.com
www.victoryjunction.org