Month: June 2019

PILOT STEVE JONES BALLOONING FOR 43 YEARS AROUND THE WORLD

You could say it was love at first flight. Steve Jones’ father attended the US National Balloon Championships in Indianola, Iowa, in 1976, working on a balloon crew and then riding in the balloon. He called Steve on his way home, raving about the experience and trying to convince Steve to partner with him and buy a balloon. Steve was certain that his dad had lost his mind; nevertheless, he consented and soon thereafter he was hooked on the experience. He earned his pilot’s license, a requirement for balloon piloting, and became a member of the ballooning community, enjoying the camaraderie and the competitions.

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FREE HALF MARATHON TRAINING WITH CRAIG RANCH RUNNING CLUB

Sunday, June 30 the Craig Ranch Running Club invites runners to come out at 6:15 a.m. to the 2019 Kick-Off of a free 12 week half marathon training program. This is open to the public and a great way to get ready for the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon and meet the pace team.

 

The training schedule indicates the meet-up locations that include Craig Ranch Fitness in McKinney on Sunday, Monday and Thursday, and Lawler Middle School in Frisco on Wednesday.

 

The Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon is Sunday, September 22, 2019 and all runners receive a shirt, custom finisher medal, parking pass, and tickets to the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival that is proudly celebrating 40 Years of Ballooning!

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BITTEN BY THE BALLOONING BUG

They say time flies when you’re having fun. It certainly must, because it’s been over 30 years since his first flight, and Michael Scott is still having fun. In October 1987, Scott and his family visited the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta while on vacation.

 

 

“We found a balloon that we had seen flying [back home] in Oklahoma City and crewed for them that week. My father got a short flight during that week, and he was bitten by the ballooning bug. We bought our first balloon about six weeks later,” recalls Scott.

 

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CELEBRATE GLOBAL RUNNING DAY THROUGH JUNE 30

Global Running Day is celebrated in more than 150 countries around the world and encourages everyone to get moving on the designated day of June 5, 2019. This year the Plano Balloon Festival Races want to extend that celebration for the entire month by offering a 15% discount on all distances. That includes the Half Marathon, Sky High Challenge, Elevate Challenge, 10K, 5K and 1K races. Use the code CELEBRATE before midnight on June 30th to receive the special pricing.

 

“It doesn’t matter how fast you run or how far you go—what’s important is that you take part, and how you do it is up to you. Run a lap around your block, take your dog for a long walk, or call your friends for a pick-up game in the park. The important thing is that you have fun being active—and you inspire others to join you.” – Global Running Day

 

 

The Plano Balloon Festival Races are schedule for Saturday, September 21, 2019 and Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival.

 

All participants in each distance will receive dazzling commemorative finisher medals featuring 9 hot air balloons! Plus all participants receive a gender specific, short sleeve, dry fit style race shirt, two tickets to the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival plus parking on race day.