Click here for complete results from the BetzDearborn Run thru the Woods

More than 2,500 runners and walkers raced for charity on Thanksgiving morning at the 12th annual BetzDearborn Run Thru the Woods. The family event held at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion began with the Kid's 1-mile competitive race followed by a 3-mile walk and a USATF certified 5-mile race.

Raising over $45,000, this year's event will benefit several charities of South Montgomery County including YMCA Partners-of- Youth Program, Oak Ridge High School Operation Graduation and (CISD) AFJRROTC Programs, The Woodlands High School Operation Graduation, and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Education Outreach Program.

Highlighting the event were Top Male and Female Overall winners in the adult 5-mile race Andrew Norman of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Desiree Owen of Kingwood. Overall Masters winners were Craig Calmes of Spring and Vera Heg of The Woodlands, and the Clydesdale winner in the 5-mile race was Bobby Spath of Nacadoches. Ashston Caesar and Anna Fleming of The Woodlands won the Overall Male and Female honors in the Kid's 1-mile competitive race.

"We were excited to see so many runners, walkers, and families turn out on Thanksgiving morning to race for such deserving charities," said Roxanne Davis, Marketing Coordinator for the South Montgomery County Branch of the YMCA. "It is amazing to see such a caring community come together for charity."

Davis continues, "Thanks to our generous sponsors and volunteers we enjoyed another successful event and we hope to see everyone participate again next year."

Approximately 450 volunteers from over 15 organizations donated their time to help make this year's event a success. Davis adds, "We are very pleased to be aligned with so many caring individuals and organizations on this annual project. Once again, the enthusiastic support for this event will benefit thousands of individuals in the South Montgomery County area."

BetzDearborn was the title sponsor of the community-wide event while the Shenandoah Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, Memorial Herman Sportscare, The Woodlands Operating Company, L.P., and The Town Center Improvement District in The Woodlands contributed their support this year as Platinum Sponsors of the annual event.

Conroe Coca-Cola, Entergy, TXU Communications, and The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center participated in this year's event as Gold Sponsors.

Committee members of the BetzDearborn Run Thru the Woods extended a special thanks to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for providing the facilities for the race, to Woodlandsonline.com for providing internet service for online race registration, and to LJF Associates, Inc. Advertising and Public Relations for graphic design of the new race logo.