April 2023 | Vol. 12 | Greater Waco Sports Commission

Monthly News & Updates

April 2023 | Vol. 12

Spring into Action

Saturday, May 13th | 10K, 5K, & Fun Run

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and so is our Saturday morning (5/13) Mother’s Day Run at Waco Surf! We’re proud to partner with Bird Kultgen Ford and several other community businesses to help host this event. This event is one of our largest fundraisers of the year, and we would be grateful for the community support. 

On this run, our participants get to enjoy scenic routes, fresh air, and sunshine! If you haven’t been to Waco Surf, this is your chance to enjoy a Fun Run, 5K, or 10K race and receive a FREE Beach Pass ($24 value) for the rest of the day included with your race entry! The Beach Pass will allow you to enjoy the sandy beach, the lazy river, and the extreme waterslides. Plus mimosa for those that are 21+ (with ID).

Before entering Waco Surf, we have a great lineup of fun activities for family and friends while you are on your run. Milo All Day will offer a VIP Brunch overlooking the lagoon, while Kendra Scott will be on site with great last-minute gift options. 

This race is a great way to celebrate motherhood and promote a healthy lifestyle. Come join the fun and sign up with promo code: “GWSCApril” for 10% off race registration before the upcoming price increase and t-shirt cutoff date on Friday, April 14th!

Texas State Rowing Championships

The Waco Rowing Center, GWSC, McLennan County, the City of Waco, and the TPID have teamed up to host the Texas State Rowing Championships on April 21-23rd. The county has invested $350,000 in grant-funded upgrades to Tradinghouse Reservoir. You’ll find new restrooms, lighting, paved parking, picnic tables and benches, upgraded docking space, and an incredible pristine sand beach! If you’re like some and need to know where Tradinghouse Reservoir is, it’s only about 15 minutes northeast of downtown.

This regatta will feature 2,500+ athletes on a spectator-friendly 2,000-meter course with side-by-side starts that race towards the newly made beach! The economic impact of this event and putting Waco on the map for rowing again cannot be understated!

If you missed the November regatta on the Brazos, you want to take advantage of this one. Come hang out over the weekend, enjoy the weather, have a good time, and learn more about this incredible sport.

They need community support if you’re interested in volunteering (find out more here).

Upcoming Events

Check out what events are coming up in Waco and how you can get involved.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We are always looking for new community partners! Please email [email protected] if you are interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities with new events for your business.

GWSC Volunteer Opportunities

Click here to check out upcoming opportunities.

In the pipeline for Waco Sports

Baylor Spartan Stadion (5K OBSTACLE COURSE)

(4/1/23 @ McLane Stadium)

Unbound’s Light Up the Dark 5K

(4/1/23 @ Cameron Park Zoo)

Mother’s Day Weekend 10K/5K/Fun Run

(5/13/23 @ Waco Surf)

Texas Enduro Cup: Present by Team Trail Party

& OTB Cyclery

(5/13/23)

* See calendar with more info on each event *

or * post your event *

A Word from Dr. Adesina

Sleep

Getting enough quality sleep is important for all children and adolescents, including young athletes. Adequate sleep is essential for physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and can have a significant impact on athletic performance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children and adolescents aged 6-12 years get 9-12 hours of sleep per night, while adolescents aged 13-18 years get 8-10 hours of sleep per night. However, many young athletes may have difficulty getting enough sleep due to their busy schedules, early morning practices or competitions, and other demands.

Research has shown that sleep deprivation can have negative effects on athletic performance, including decreased speed, accuracy, and reaction time, as well as reduced endurance and strength. It can also lead to increased risk of injury, fatigue, and mood disturbances.

To promote healthy sleep in young athletes, it is important to prioritize sleep as part of their overall training and preparation. This may involve establishing consistent bedtime and wake-up times, avoiding electronic devices in the bedroom, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine. Young athletes should also be encouraged to avoid caffeine and large meals before bedtime, and to get regular physical activity during the day to promote good sleep at night.
If young athletes are having difficulty getting enough sleep, it may be helpful to discuss their sleep habits and schedule with a pediatrician or other healthcare provider. They may recommend further evaluation or provide strategies to promote healthy sleep habits.

At Ascension Medical Group Providence Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our team offers a comprehensive pediatric & adolescent sports medicine program for young athletes. For appointments, please call 254-752-9638.

Executive Director's Message

March was an incredible month for Waco and sports. In case you didn’t know, the GWSC and this community got to host a pro tennis tournament, a high school state tennis tournament, a downhill mountain biking contest, multiple runs, a pro disc golf tournament, a robotics competition, and more. This community continues to thrive, and we’re excited to be a desired destination for so many activities. These events continue to bring in visitors and impact this region economically. We’re proud to link arms with this community and help promote healthy activities while supporting other local nonprofits and businesses.

Alongside those events in March, we also selected our five finalists for this year’s TEAM Waco. We’re excited to share Brian, Mitch, Kenneth, Daniella, and Jennifer’s stories. Each person represents a portion of this community and has a great reason to participate in the upcoming IRONMAN 70.3 Waco in October. Be on the lookout for our podcast series, where they’ll each get to share their story.  