Sole Sistas of the 618: Recap of 2012: Where it all began

July 21, 2012 Columbia's Muddy Buddy

Chicago, IL

Christy Howerton and Beth Sutton drove to Chicago to run their first "Mud Run." For those who are not familiar with mud runs, it is a race of varying distances with the common theme of obstacles and mud pits. This particular race was 4.5 miles with 10-12 obstacles. It was on this journey north that vision for the group began. During the long drive and some group texting, the group was named: Sole Sistas of the 618.

Columbia's Muddy Buddy 2012

Mud pit

Rope wall obstacle

Beth Sutton (left) and Christy Howerton (right) with their much earned medals.

Slippery mountain <it was sprayed down with laundry detergent>

August 4, 2012 Marion High School's Summer Scorcher 5K in Marion IL

*This was the first 5K race for Jennifer Murphy and Beth Sutton.

Pre- Race Photo
Left to right: Christy Howerton, Shanna Usher, Beth Sutton and Jennifer Murphy

Beth Sutton documenting her first run while running.

Jennifer Murphy headed back in towards the finish line.

Post-race photo

Post-race breakfast at Cracker Barrel

T-shirt from the race

August 18, 2012 Color Run

St. Louis MO

Glenda Wilburn is to thank for this race making it on our roster. She is the one who initiated everything. Others who ran this race are Beth Sutton, Christy Howerton and Amy Kulik-Jenkins (baby in her belly and all).

St. Louis MO Color Run "The Happiest 5K on Earth"

Left to right: Amy Kulik-Jenkins, Beth Sutton, Christy Howerton and Glenda Wilburn.

Christy Howerton and Beth Sutton lining up in the starter's gate

Left to right: Glenda Wilburn, Christy Howerton and Amy Kulik-Jenkins

Post-race: thousands gather and shower each other with color packets.

Post-race festivities (see the Arch in the background??)

August 18, 2012 Night's Shield

Marion IL

No pictures were taken at this race. Sole Sistas who ran were:
Teresa Hobbs, Shay Henshaw, Jennifer Murphy and Beth Sutton.

September 7, 2012 Carterville Twilight Run

Carterville IL

* We completed this race just in time to escape the torrential downpour. We made a break for it and took cover in the Carterville Community Center.

Left to right: Shanna Usher, Christy Howerton and Beth Sutton

Christy Howerton

Beth Sutton (too funny)

September 8, 2012 Bad @$$ Trail Dash

Tunnel Hill, IL

*This 5K will push you to your limits both physically and mentally. You will encounter tight trails, open fields, creek crossings, steep hill climbs, log crossings and other natural obstacles. The hostess with the mostess, Lindsay Gamster and her husband hosted this event. In January 2013, Lindsay joined our Sole Sistas Facebook group. We are very glad to have her in the group. She is inspiring and a rock star when it comes to running. We are hoping to have a big Sole Sistas showing at her 2nd event in March 2013. If you are interested in signing up, go to: vitamintsunspa.com/races.php.

Left to right: Teresa Hobbs doing her military pose, Jennifer Murphy, Beth Sutton and Shay Henshaw.
Not pictured: Heather Nyberg & Christine Burtis.

Jennifer Murphy gettin' durrrty and scratched up

It's a family thing: Jennifer Murphy and Sister Heather Nyberg with Heather's son

September 13, 2012 Town and Country Days 5K

Eldorado IL

*This race happened shortly after the group expanded to Saline County. It was a great turnout.

Front row, left to right: Tiffany Bickett, Allison Sisk, Jennifer Murphy,
Krystal Henson, Heather Morris and LaTisha Patton
Back row, left to right: Lori Brooks, Olivia Bradley, Beth Sutton, Shay Henshaw,
Sam Hathaway and Teresa Hobbs

September 15, 2012 Crab Orchard Black & Orange 5K in Crab Orchard IL

Left to right: Beth Sutton, Jennifer Murphy and Shay Henshaw

Jennifer placed

This was her water bottle trophy

September 29, 2012 Saluki 5K

L-R: Shanna Usher and Christy Howerton

Carbondale IL at SIU

September 29, 2012 Warrior Dash

St. Louis MO

*Warrior Dash is another mud run. Beth Sutton was the only Sista to participate in 2012, but there are already 12 girls signed up for 2013.

Beth Sutton - Post-race about to snarf down some Lotawata Creek

October 6, 2012 Gold's Gym 5K

Marion IL

Front row, left to right: Christy Howerton, Jennifer Murphy and Haley Steinmetz
Back row, left to right: LaTisha Patton, Shay Henshaw, Heather Nyberg and Beth Sutton

Haley Steinmetz, age 11, crossing the finish line of her first road race.

Jennifer Murphy and Haley Steinmetz - our two medalists

October 12, 2012 Color Me Fall - Color Run 5K Herrin IL

*This was a first for Southern Illinois: Christian Life Center in Herrin hosted a 5K Color Run. Beth Sutton was the only Sista to run this race.

Color Run at Christian Life Center in Herrin IL

October 13, 2012 Candy Corn Run

Carmi IL

*This was our first race to have a business sponsor us. Travis Gholson, a chiropractor in Carmi donated shirts to every Sole Sista who attended this run. We had a great turnout and it was Lindsay Ledbetter and Marci Allen's first 5K run ever.

Left to Right: LaTisha Patton, Samatha Hathaway, Lori's Mama, Jennifer Murphy, Teresa Hobbs, Marci Allen, Janet Bixler, Heather Nyberg, Christy Howerton, Lindsay Ledbetter, Olivia Bradley, Beth Sutton and Travis Gholson.

Marci Allen crossing the finish line of her first 5K.

Lindsay Ledbetter crossing the finish line of her first 5K

Just finished - Tiffany Bickett

Lori Brooks

Re-enacting a high five for the camera: Lori and Marci

Mmmmmm . . . nanner

Jennifer modeling one of the Sole Sistas jackets

Stolen from Facebook

Medalists: Jennifer Murphy, Teresa Hobbs and Olivia Bradley

October 20, 2012 Integrated Health's Boo Run 10K and 5K in Harrisburg IL

This was the first 10K race for quite a few Sole Sistas.

Pre-race photo
Front Row L-R: Gracie, Brittney, Allison Sisk, Jennifer Murphy, Heather Morris, Christy Howerton and Shanna Usher
Back Row L-R: Shay Henshaw, Stephanie Dowdy, Beth Sutton, Trish Cossey, Teresa Hobbs, Marci Allen, Samantha Hathawy and Heather Nyberg

The 10K-ers:
L-R: Shay Henshaw, Beth Sutton, Samantha Hathaway, Jennifer Murphy, Heather Morris and Shanna Usher

Complimentary chair massage - Beth Sutton

Marley modeling the Sole Sista Race Day Shirt

Medalist: Jennifer Murphy

Medalist: Samantha Hathaway with her daughter Marley

Beth Sutton completing her first 10K. Her goal was anything under 1:06:00
Nailed IT!!

Chilly willies: Jennifer Murphy and Beth Sutton

All the medalists from the different age groups and races.

November 10, 2012 Tiger Run 5K

McLeansboro IL

* Marci Allen has traveled afar to come to the runs that we invite her to, this was one that she invited us to. It was also Sarah White's first 5K ever. She did amazing! Great job, sis.

Pre-race photo, L-R: Sarah White, Jennifer Murphy, Beth Sutton, Jackie Halley, Teresa Hobbs and Marci Allen.
I believe Teresa is trying to prove that she can do other poses beside her trademark military pose.

Sarah White did not pee her pants, she was just showing her clumsy side.
Note: Teresa is doing her trademark military pose again.

L-R: Sarah White, medalist Teresa Hobbs and medalist Jennifer Murphy

Stolen from Facebook. Sole Sistas are proud of you the two of you, too!

Teresa Hobbs receiving her medal.

Jennifer Murphy receiving her medal.

November 17, 2012 Herrin Turkey Run 5K &15K Herrin IL

* First 15K for everyone. Good job girls!! Way to represent the Sole Sistas of the 618.

Left to right: Christy Howerton, LaTisha Patton, Jennifer Murphy,
Shanna Usher, Shay Henshaw and Teresa Hobbs.

November 24, 2012 Saline County Reindeer Run 5K in Harrisburg IL

* Last race of the year. Let's start with giving a shout out to Olivia Bradley. She helped put this race on and she did an awesome job. We love that she wore her Sole Sistas race day shirt and ended up in a dozen pictures in the Money Stretcher. Woot, woot - great exposure :)

Pre-race photo
Back Row, L-R: Jennifer Shapmire, Christy Howerton, Teresa Hobbs, Marci Allen, Trish Cossey,
Beth Sutton, Olivia Bradley and LaTisha Patton.
Front row L-R: Mikaylah Shapmire, Jennifer Murphy and Brittney Cossey.