Texas Governor and Soldiers in Afghanistan Participate in CU Texas Twister 10K

AUSTIN, Texas - Last year's inaugural Credit Union Texas Twister 10K was so successful that it's easy to understand why organizers would want to build upon a good thing. Inviting the governor this year made sense considering the race takes place in the state's capital, but who would have guessed organizers would set their sights on runners from the far side of the globe? Texas Governor Rick Perry joined nearly 300 runners in the 2nd Annual Credit Union Texas Twister 10K Oct. 30. The day featured the 10K Run/Walk, a Team Challenge, a Kids K, and a live band. Proceeds from the 2005 run benefit Children's Miracle Network and hurricane relief efforts. On the other side of the world, the U.S. Army's Task Force Eagle, stationed at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, organized a sister run. Although members of Task Force Eagle coordinated the 10K, 450 members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and other coalition forces from South Korea, Poland, France and Slovakia participated. T-shirts, banners, race numbers and prizes were provided by the Credit Union Texas Twister committee for the runners in Afghanistan. Air Force personnel planned a Halloween costume party in conjunction with the Credit Union Texas Twister 10K. Texas credit unions established the Credit Union Texas Twister in 2004 to benefit Children's Miracle Network and local children's hospitals. The 2004 run raised $50,000 for CMN; this year's run brought in $60,000. Credit unions entered the racing business in 2002, when they became the title sponsor of Washington D.C.'s Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run. The 2005 Cherry Blossom Run raised $325,000. Credit union officials plan to organize additional runs across the country to benefit CMN in the future.